Beech Factory Airport (BEC)

Beech Factory Airport (BEC) is a high-activity aviation facility located in Wichita, Kansas, the city widely recognized as the 'Air Capital of the World.' Privately owned and operated by Textron Aviation (the parent company of Beechcraft and Cessna), the airport is a centerpiece of American aviation manufacturing. The facility features a single 8,000-foot concrete runway (01/19), which is capable of handling everything from light single-engine trainers to large military transports and the latest corporate jets. While the airport is open to the public, it primarily serves the manufacturing, flight testing, and customer delivery operations for the Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft lines. The terminal infrastructure at BEC is specialized for corporate and industrial aviation rather than commercial passenger service. The Textron Aviation Customer Delivery Center serves as the primary gateway for those arriving to take possession of new aircraft, offering a world-class executive environment. This facility includes sophisticated passenger lounges, high-tech meeting rooms, and administrative offices for flight departments. Because it is a private manufacturing airfield, there are no TSA security checkpoints or baggage carousels. Instead, access is strictly controlled, and visitors must typically obtain Prior Permission Required (PPR) for parking and operations, ensuring that the heavy flow of test flights and deliveries is not disrupted. Amenities at Beech Factory Airport are tailored to the professional pilot and the corporate traveler. The airfield provides comprehensive FBO services including full-service 100LL and Jet-A fueling, aircraft maintenance, and hangar storage. For visitors, the Textron Aviation gift shop offers a range of authentic aviation apparel and memorabilia. While there are no traditional full-service restaurants in the delivery center, the airport's location just five miles east of Wichita's central business district provides immediate access to the city's famous barbecue scene and luxury hotels. The airport also houses employee flying clubs, preserving the deep-rooted aviation culture that has defined Wichita for over a century.