Mitchell Municipal (KMHE), South Dakota
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Mitchell Municipal (KMHE) serves general aviation and business traffic in south-central South Dakota, roughly 58 nautical miles from the nearest metro area. The field is non-towered and operates under a published attendance schedule rather than continuous staffing, with two paved runways long enough to handle midsize business jets. Nearest customs clearance is at Sioux Falls (KFSD), about 57 nautical miles away, since KMHE has no onsite customs service.
Runways
Mitchell Municipal has two paved runways. The longest, 13/31, is 6,701 ft long and 100 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
Mitchell Municipal has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 8am to 6pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Mitchell Municipal does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Joe Foss Field (KFSD), 57 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Mitchell Municipal recorded 1,975 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October. Business aviation traffic at KMHE concentrates heavily in October and November, which together account for well over a quarter of the year's bizav operations.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 364 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Mitchell Municipal averages 12.1 days above 90°F in July and 30.7 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86.7°F, and January the coldest, at 28.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Mitchell Municipal has published operating constraints in four categories: access, runway notes, environmental and other notes.
Ultralight aircraft activity occurs on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Pilot-activated lighting on CTAF: MALSR on Runway 31; REIL on Runways 13 and 18; PAPI on Runways 13, 31, 18, and 36; HIRL on Runway 13/31; MIRL on Runway 18/36.
Migratory birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Fuel is available 24 hours a day.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Minneapolis ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Mitchell Municipal has two airfields within 44 NM. The closest is Huron Regional (KHON), 37.55 NM north.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KMHE
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 KMHE.
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 runways are available at KMHE?
Mitchell Municipal (KMHE) has two paved asphalt runways. Runway 13/31 is the longer of the two at 6,701 feet, matching the airport's max paved length, with a width of 100 feet. Runway 18/36 runs 5,513 feet long and is also 100 feet wide. Both runways can accommodate a range of business aircraft, with Runway 13/31 suited to larger jets given its added length.
Is fuel available at Mitchell Municipal Airport?
Mitchell Municipal Airport stocks both 100LL and Jet A fuel. According to the field's own remarks, fuel is available 24 hours a day, which extends coverage beyond the general attendance schedule of 0800 to 1800 daily. This makes KMHE usable for fuel stops outside normal staffed hours. Pilots should still coordinate with airport staff or facilities as needed for after-hours service arrangements.
Does KMHE have customs clearance onsite?
KMHE does not have onsite customs clearance. The nearest customs-capable airport is Sioux Falls (KFSD), located approximately 57 nautical miles away. Aircraft requiring customs processing near Mitchell Municipal Airport need to route through KFSD or another designated port of entry. Dispatchers planning international arrivals into this area should factor in the added distance and coordination time for customs handling at the alternate field.
What lighting is available at Mitchell Municipal for night operations?
Mitchell Municipal (KMHE) offers pilot-activated lighting on CTAF across both runways. Runway 31 has a MALSR approach lighting system, while Runways 13 and 18 are equipped with REIL. PAPI is installed on all four runway ends: 13, 31, 18, and 36. Runway 13/31 carries HIRL, high-intensity runway lighting, while Runway 18/36 has MIRL, medium-intensity lighting, all activated through the common traffic advisory frequency.
Why does bizav traffic spike at KMHE in October and November?
Business aviation operations at Mitchell Municipal (KMHE) rise sharply in October and November, reaching 364 and 336 operations respectively according to FAA TFMSC traffic data, compared to a range of roughly 95 to 177 operations in other months. This two-month period accounts for a disproportionate share of the airport's annual bizav activity. The data does not indicate a specific driver behind this concentration. Dispatchers scheduling flights into this South Dakota field during fall should expect noticeably busier conditions than in other seasons.