Pellston Regional / Emmet County (KPLN), Michigan
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Pellston Regional / Emmet County Airport (KPLN) serves the northern Michigan region near Harbor Springs and Mackinac Island, with two paved asphalt runways supporting a business aviation base that handled 5,931 of the field's 8,928 annual operations in 2025. The airport operates without a control tower and maintains an attendance schedule of 0600 to 2300 daily, with fuel available in 100LL, A+, and Jet A grades.
Runways
Pellston Regional / Emmet County has two paved runways. The longest, 14/32, is 6,513 ft long and 150 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
Pellston Regional / Emmet County has Jet A+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 6am to 11pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Pellston Regional / Emmet County does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Chippewa County International (KCIU), 43 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Pellston Regional / Emmet County recorded 5,931 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July. Business aviation traffic at KPLN concentrates heavily in the summer months, with July and August each exceeding 1,000 operations compared to well under 250 in the winter months.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 1,116 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Pellston Regional / Emmet County averages 2.0 days above 90°F in July and 30.1 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 79.3°F, and January the coldest, at 26.7°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Pellston Regional / Emmet County has published operating constraints in four categories: runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
MALSR is activated for runway 32; REIL for runways 14, 05, and 23; PAPI for runway 14; HIRL for runway 14/32; and MIRL for runway 05/23, all via CTAF. VASI on runways 05 and 23 operate continuously.
Pilots should be alert for snow removal equipment and activity on and in the vicinity of the runways during winter months.
Deer and gulls are occasionally present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 290/F/B/X/T
The visual glide slope indicator is unusable beyond 8 degrees right of centerline.
Taxiways B1 and E1 are closed from November 1 through April 15.
Surface conditions are unmonitored daily between 2300 and 0530.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Minneapolis ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Pellston Regional / Emmet County has five airfields within 24 NM. The closest is Harbor Springs (KMGN), 10.02 NM southwest.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KPLN
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 KPLN.
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 KPLN?
Pellston Regional / Emmet County Airport, KPLN, operates two paved asphalt runways. Runway 14/32 is the longer of the two at 6,513 feet by 150 feet wide, and it carries the airport's published maximum paved length. Runway 05/23 measures 5,401 feet by 150 feet wide. Both runways are asphalt surfaces, and the airport is non-towered, so pilots coordinate movement on CTAF. Lighting includes MALSR on runway 32 and REIL on runways 14, 05, and 23.
Is customs available on site at KPLN?
Pellston Regional / Emmet County Airport, KPLN, does not have onsite customs processing according to the data on file. The nearest customs facility is at KCIU, located approximately 43.01 nautical miles away. Flights requiring customs clearance into the United States at this location would need to route through that facility instead. Operators planning international arrivals should confirm current customs procedures and any prior notice requirements directly with the receiving facility before flight planning to KPLN.
What fuel types are available at Pellston Regional / Emmet County Airport?
Pellston Regional / Emmet County Airport, identified as KPLN, offers 100LL and A+ fuel grades, and Jet A is also available on the field. The airport's attendance schedule runs daily from 0600 to 2300 local time. Outside those hours, services including fueling would not be staffed. Surface conditions are also unmonitored between 2300 and 0530 daily, so operators arriving late at night or early morning should plan accordingly for both fuel service and field condition awareness.
How does business aviation traffic at KPLN vary through the year?
Business aviation traffic at Pellston Regional / Emmet County Airport, KPLN, is heavily concentrated in the summer months according to FAA TFMSC data for 2025. July recorded the highest monthly total at 1,116 operations, followed closely by August at 1,050 and June at 869. By contrast, winter months such as January, April, and December each saw totals below 250 operations. The airport's annual business aviation total for the year stands at 5,931 operations out of 8,928 total operations recorded.
Are there any taxiway closures or seasonal restrictions at KPLN?
Yes, Pellston Regional / Emmet County Airport, KPLN, closes taxiways B1 and E1 seasonally, from November 1 through April 15 each year. Pilots operating during that window should plan alternate taxi routing accordingly. The airport also advises that snow removal equipment and related activity may be present on and in the vicinity of the runways during winter months. Additionally, surface conditions are unmonitored daily between 2300 and 0530, which is relevant during the same winter closure period.