Piney Pinecreek (48Y) Airport Closing

[Lando]

Piney Pinecreek (48Y) is on both sides of the US/Canadian border and is one of the most unique airports in my log book - it’s a bummer to see that it’s closing.

The day I landed there, the wind was out of the south so we came from the US side, flew the pattern over Canada, touched down on Canadian soil and taxied back to the US side. They have separate ramps for Canadian and US citizens and as long as you stop in the same place you came from, you don’t need to speak with customs.

On the return flight, we taxied from the US ramp to the north end of the runway in Canada before doing the run up and rotating while we were still on the Canadian side. Fun fact: there is a 20 foot wide path cut through the trees all along the border (each country is responsible for the 10 feet on their side).

For anyone in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota or just passing through, it’s a fun experience for you and your passengers and I’d recommend giving it a shot before they close this month if you’re flying over the holidays.

Here is a link to the announcement from the state of MN: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/news/2024/12/13-d2-airport.html

 

[ColinD]

Damn, short notice. I guess that's one less FlyMN passport stamp I'll be collecting next summer.

 

[Domenick]

While unfortunate on the grounds of uniqueness, a June 2024 Google Earth image shows no hangars and AirNav lists no residents, so it seems no one will be displaced. It does have fuel.
48.9989749,-95.9820861

 

[frfly172]

Never good when an airport closes .

 

[mondtster]

That’s disappointing to hear, but not terribly surprising. I always wanted to stop there but never had the time to do it when I lived a lot closer than I do now.

 

[Chrisgoesflying]

You can still do this here: S28

International Peace Garden Airport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[MauleSkinner]

Piney Creek was on my list when I was trying to hit every grass-only airport in MN…I didn’t make it before they paved it.

 

[Jim K]

That sad. That'll be the first airport in my logbook to close. I had always kind of hoped to clear customs there some day.

I was in MN a couple years ago and thought it'd be fun to cross the border. Only time I've ever been in Canada.

 

[Lando]

You can still do this here: S28

International Peace Garden Airport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That is another fun one on the border, but it’s actually completely on the US side with a short walk to the peace garden (which is what straddles the border). No customs going in but when you leave, you need to be cleared. It’s another sleepy airport with a lot grass growing through the cracks, but I think there were at least a few hangars.

 

[Chrisgoesflying]

That is another fun one on the border, but it’s actually completely on the US side with a short walk to the peace garden (which is what straddles the border). No customs going in but when you leave, you need to be cleared. It’s another sleepy airport with a lot grass growing through the cracks, but I think there were at least a few hangars.

I think one of the parking areas is on the Canadian side as well.

 

[iamtheari]

I think one of the parking areas is on the Canadian side as well.

Yes. The runway is on American soil but you can taxi to and tie down in the country you departed from. I’ve been there twice and don’t recall any hangars.

 

[Jim K]

It was in great shape when I was there in 2021. Guessing the lack of use is a bigger issue than maintenance expenses. I wonder if they're closing the customs stations there?

 

[Jim K]

Crossing the border (back into the US)



The parking is on American soil. You can just see the Canadian flag in the background.