Spencer Municipal (KSPW), Iowa
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Spencer Municipal Airport, identified by the code KSPW, serves the Spencer, Iowa area with two paved concrete runways, the longer at 6,001 feet. The field is non-towered and operates on a published attendance schedule rather than around-the-clock staffing. Business aviation makes up the bulk of recorded activity, with 1,510 of the airport's 1,509 annual operations tied to bizav traffic in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data. Customs clearance is not available onsite; the nearest customs airport is KFSD, roughly 71.67 nautical miles away.
Runways
Spencer Municipal has two paved runways. The longest, 12/30, is 6,001 ft long and 100 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
Spencer Municipal has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Spencer Municipal does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Joe Foss Field (KFSD), 72 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Spencer Municipal recorded 1,510 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July. Bizav traffic at KSPW concentrates in the summer months, with July and August each recording well over twice the volume of the winter months.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 246 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Spencer Municipal averages 7.1 days above 90°F in July and 30.9 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84.5°F, and January the coldest, at 25.8°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Spencer Municipal has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and other notes.
Runway edge lights are pilot-activated for runways 12/30 and 18/36. Runway 12 has an approach lighting system with sequenced flashers (MALSR). Runways 12 and 30 have visual approach slope indicators (VASI). Runways 18 and 36 have precision approach path indicators (PAPI). Runway 30 has runway end identifier lights (REIL). Lighting on runways 18 and 36 is controlled via CTAF.
The approach slope is 50:1, measured from the displaced threshold.
Runway 12 is designated as the calm wind runway.
Waterfowl activity has been reported in the vicinity of the airport.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the flight service station frequency, contact Minneapolis ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Spencer Municipal has five airfields within 31 NM. The closest is Spirit Lake Municipal, 13.60 NM north.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KSPW
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 KSPW.
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 KSPW?
Spencer Municipal Airport has two paved concrete runways. Runway 12/30 is the longer of the pair at 6,001 feet by 100 feet wide. Runway 18/36 measures 5,100 feet by 75 feet. Both runways support instrument approach lighting, including MALSR on runway 12, VASI on runways 12 and 30, PAPI on runways 18 and 36, and REIL on runway 30. Runway 12 is also designated as the calm wind runway.
Is fuel available at Spencer Municipal?
Spencer Municipal Airport stocks both 100LL and Jet A fuel. This makes the field usable for piston and turbine business aircraft operating in the region. Attendance follows a published schedule of Monday through Friday from 0700 to 1900 and Saturday through Sunday from 0800 to 1700 local time. Dispatchers should plan fuel uplift around these hours rather than assume continuous staffing, since KSPW is a non-towered field without round-the-clock coverage.
Can I clear customs at KSPW?
Spencer Municipal Airport does not have onsite customs processing. The nearest customs facility is KFSD, located approximately 71.67 nautical miles away. Flight crews requiring customs clearance need to route through KFSD or another designated port of entry before or after operating into KSPW. This should be factored into trip planning for any international arrival intending to use Spencer as a destination or fuel stop.
How busy is KSPW throughout the year?
Spencer Municipal Airport recorded 2,009 annual operations in 2025 per FAA TFMSC data, with 1,510 of those attributed to business aviation. Traffic is not evenly distributed across the year. Bizav operations rise sharply starting in June, peak in July at 246 operations, and remain elevated through September before tapering off. Winter months such as January, February, and December each see closer to 70 to 80 bizav operations, roughly a third of the July peak.
What obstacle and approach considerations apply at Spencer Municipal?
Spencer Municipal Airport publishes an approach slope of 50:1 measured from the displaced threshold. Pilots should also be aware that waterfowl activity is reported in the vicinity of the airport, which can affect wildlife-related risk during approach and departure phases. For clearance delivery when unable to contact on the flight service station frequency, crews are directed to contact Minneapolis ARTCC. These factors are worth reviewing before operating into KSPW, particularly for turbine aircraft flying the displaced threshold approach.