Dane County Regional / Truax Field (KMSN), Wisconsin
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Dane County Regional / Truax Field (KMSN) serves the Madison, Wisconsin metro area with a joint civil-military airfield roughly 37 nm from the metro core. The airport handles a mix of general aviation, airline, and Air National Guard traffic across three concrete runways, the longest reaching 9,006 feet. Business aviation activity has climbed to nearly 14,600 operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, supported by year-round tower coverage and full-time fueling of both 100LL and Jet A.
Runways
Dane County Regional / Truax Field has three paved runways. The longest, 18/36, is 9,006 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Dane County Regional / Truax Field has Jet A, 100LL and A++ available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Dane County Regional / Truax Field does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Chicago / Rockford International (KRFD), 58 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Dane County Regional / Truax Field recorded 14,592 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July, September and October. Business aviation traffic at KMSN builds through the year, with July and September posting the highest monthly operations against a low in February.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 1,445 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Dane County Regional / Truax Field averages 3.6 days above 90°F in July, 29.7 freeze days in January and 3.9 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82.1°F, and January the coldest, at 27.0°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Dane County Regional / Truax Field has published operating constraints in seven categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Air National Guard operations require prior permission; contact is available by email to the 115th Fighter Wing. Operating hours are 1200-2230Z on Monday through Thursday, with a separate contact line available on a 24-hour basis.
Runway 14 and 18 approach ends are closely aligned; verify runway and heading before departure.
Taxiways L1, L6, B5, E, and H north of runway 14/32, and the east ramp between taxiways H and M, are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet. Taxiways B1, J, and B north of taxiway M, and the east ramp, are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 150 feet.
Army National Guard operations require prior permission; transient services are limited, and helicopter operations require Army operations support. Hours are 1300-2200Z Monday and Tuesday, and 1300-0400Z Wednesday through Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday.
High risk flight test operations require prior permission from the airport manager.
For clearance delivery, contact Madison Approach/Departure Control. When Madison Approach is closed, contact Chicago ARTCC for clearance delivery.
MALSR lighting is activated for runways 18 and 21; REIL lighting for runways 03, 14, and 32; and HIRL lighting for runways 03/21, 14/32, and 18/36, all via CTAF. When the tower is closed, HIRL on runway 18/36 is preset to low intensity, with intensity increase available via CTAF.
The approach ratio is 40:1 from the displaced threshold.
BAK-14 and BAK-12(B) arresting devices are located at 1,900 feet.
BAK-14 and BAK-12(B) arresting devices are located at 1,620 feet.
BAK-14 and BAK-12(B) arresting devices are located at 1,750 feet.
The BAK-14 arresting cable on runways 18, 21, and 36 is for military use only, and is retracted when not in use.
Noise abatement procedures are in effect: departures use runways 03 and 36, arrivals use runways 18 and 21.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 780/R/D/W/T
PCR VALUE: 710/R/D/W/T
PCR VALUE: 780/R/C/W/T
The visual glide slope indicator is unusable beyond 9 degrees right of centerline.
The west ramp is restricted to aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) use.
Touch-and-go training operations are prohibited.
Aircraft should avoid overflight of the Yahara River in the vicinity of the airport below 2,000 feet.
Engine runup is permitted only in the north hold bay.
Barricades are positioned along the west edge of the south ramp, adjacent to the military ramp.
The west ramp is uncontrolled; pushback is at pilot discretion.
Avgas is available only on the east or south apron.
Taxiway F is restricted to military fighter use only. Taxiway G is permanently closed.
General aviation services are available on the east ramp only.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Dane County Regional / Truax Field has five airfields within 34 NM. The closest is Middleton Municipal / Morey Field, 8.66 NM west.
Part of the Milwaukee and Madison area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KMSN
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.
$2,400.00 catering order at KMSN.
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
What is the longest runway at KMSN?
The longest runway at Dane County Regional / Truax Field is 18/36, a concrete surface measuring 9,006 feet long and 150 feet wide. Runway 03/21 follows at 7,200 feet, and runway 14/32 measures 5,846 feet, both also concrete and 150 feet wide. All three runways at KMSN are paved, giving operators multiple options depending on wind and traffic conditions. The airport is tower-controlled, and the 18/36 runway carries approach lighting to support instrument operations.
Does KMSN have on-site customs clearance?
Dane County Regional / Truax Field does not have on-site customs clearance. The nearest customs facility is at KRFD, located approximately 57.69 nautical miles away. Operators arriving from international origins need to plan a stop at that facility, or coordinate clearance arrangements before arrival at KMSN. This absence of on-site customs is a key planning factor for any international business aviation itinerary routing through Madison.
Are there wingspan restrictions on taxiways at KMSN?
Yes, Dane County Regional / Truax Field has wingspan restrictions on several taxiways. Taxiways L1, L6, B5, E, and H north of runway 14/32, along with the east ramp between taxiways H and M, are closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 118 feet. Taxiways B1, J, and B north of taxiway M, and the east ramp, are closed to wingspans greater than 150 feet. Dispatchers planning larger business jets or airline equipment into KMSN should confirm routing against these limits in advance.
What fuel types are available at KMSN?
Dane County Regional / Truax Field offers 100LL avgas along with Jet A and Jet A+ fuel grades. According to airport remarks, avgas is available only on the east or south apron. General aviation services are limited to the east ramp. The airport maintains all-hours attendance, so fuel service aligns with the field's continuous operational schedule.
What noise abatement procedures apply at KMSN?
Dane County Regional / Truax Field operates under a noise abatement procedure that directs departures to runways 03 and 36, and arrivals to runways 18 and 21. Pilots and dispatchers planning operations into KMSN should factor this preferred flow into routing and fuel planning where compatible with wind and traffic. The airport also notes that runway 14 and 18 approach ends are closely aligned, so crews are advised to verify runway and heading before departure. These procedural notes reflect the mixed civil-military nature of operations at the field.