Bowman Field (KLOU), Kentucky
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Bowman Field (KLOU) is a towered public airport in Louisville, Kentucky, handling primarily business aviation traffic on two paved runways, the longer at 4,358 feet. Fuel is available in both 100LL and Jet A, with attendance scheduled daily from 0700 to 2200. Customs clearance is not offered onsite; the nearest customs airport is Louisville Muhammad Ali International (KSDF), about 4.72 nm away. Obstructions and trees are reported in all approach surfaces, a factor dispatchers should weigh alongside the field's runway lengths.
Runways
Bowman Field has two paved runways. The longest, 06/24, is 4,358 ft long and 75 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Bowman Field has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 7am to 10pm, daily, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Bowman Field does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Louisville Muhammad Ali International (KSDF), 5 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Bowman Field recorded 4,823 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May. Business aviation traffic at KLOU peaks in May, with ops nearly double the January low, and stays elevated through the fall before tapering in winter.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month May, 646 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Bowman Field averages 13.2 days above 90°F in July and 22.0 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 87.9°F, and January the coldest, at 42.9°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Bowman Field has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental and other notes.
Obstructions and trees are present in all approach surfaces.
Prior permission is required 24 hours in advance for military rotary wing aircraft.
Stage 3 noise compliance is required for turbojet aircraft. Prior permission from the airport manager is required for aircraft over 30,000 pounds gross weight.
Medium intensity runway lighting (MIRL) for runways 06/24 and 15/33 is pilot-activated via CTAF.
An 8-foot fence is located 108 feet from the runway end and 956 feet from the displaced threshold. A road is located 159 feet from the runway end and 1,007 feet from the displaced threshold.
An 8-foot fence is located 188 feet from the runway end and 394 feet from the displaced threshold.
The controlling obstruction exceeds a 45-degree slope.
The controlling obstruction exceeds a 45-degree slope.
The approach clears at a 53:1 slope to the displaced threshold.
The approach clears at a 33:1 slope to the displaced threshold.
A 6-foot path and golf carts are present as obstructions.
Noise abatement: no practice approaches Monday through Saturday from 2200 to 0700, Sunday from 2200 to 0900, or anytime the tower is closed.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport during daylight hours.
Training operations are not authorized when the control tower is closed.
An ADCUS flight notification service is available.
A compass rose is located at the admin building; it is not for compass calibration use.
When the control tower is closed, contact Louisville Muhammad Ali International's control tower for clearance delivery.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Bowman Field has five airfields within 34 NM. The closest is Louisville Muhammad Ali International (KSDF), 4.72 NM southwest.
Part of the Kentucky area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KLOU
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$1,200.00 catering order at KLOU.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Does KLOU have customs clearance onsite?
Bowman Field (KLOU) does not offer onsite customs clearance. The nearest customs-equipped airport is Louisville Muhammad Ali International (KSDF), located approximately 4.72 nm away. Flight crews requiring customs processing should plan to route through KSDF or coordinate arrangements in advance rather than expecting service at Bowman Field itself.
Is there a weight restriction for turbojet aircraft at KLOU?
Yes, Bowman Field requires prior permission from the airport manager for any aircraft over 30,000 pounds gross weight. Turbojet aircraft must also comply with Stage 3 noise standards to operate at KLOU. Dispatchers arranging heavier or turbojet operations should factor in this PPR requirement before filing.
What are the runway options at KLOU?
Bowman Field offers two paved asphalt runways: 06/24 at 4,358 feet by 75 feet, and 15/33 at 3,580 feet by 75 feet. Both runways use pilot-activated medium intensity runway lighting (MIRL) via CTAF. Close-in obstructions, including fences and a road near the runway ends, are noted in the airport's remarks and should factor into approach and departure planning.
Are there noise abatement procedures at KLOU?
Yes, Bowman Field enforces a noise abatement policy restricting practice approaches. Practice approaches are prohibited Monday through Saturday from 2200 to 0700, and on Sunday from 2200 to 0900, as well as anytime the control tower is closed. Pilots conducting training flights at KLOU should plan around these windows.