Mercer County Airport (BLF)

Mercer County Airport (BLF/KBLF) is a significant general aviation facility located in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, approximately three miles northeast of Bluefield and nine miles southwest of Princeton, West Virginia. Established in 1954 and encompassing 511 acres, the airport is dramatically perched on a leveled mountaintop at an elevation of 2,856 feet. Its unique geographic position, with steep drop-offs at both runway ends, gives pilots the sensation of landing on an aircraft carrier and makes it a critical piece of infrastructure for regional business travel, medical transport, and private pilots exploring the scenic "Four Season Country." The airport features a single asphalt runway (05/23) measuring 4,743 feet in length, equipped with high-intensity runway lighting and PAPI systems essential for operations in the challenging mountainous terrain. Runway 23 has a steep drop-off 320 feet from the threshold with 280-foot drops on both sides, while Runway 05 features a 175-foot drop-off on the left side, requiring careful attention from pilots during approach and departure. The facility operated scheduled commercial airline service from 1954 until 2007, when Essential Air Service subsidies ended due to its proximity to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, transforming it into one of West Virginia's 17 dedicated general aviation facilities. The terminal building serves as a streamlined hub for general aviation operations, housing the airport management offices and a comfortable pilots' lounge. The facility includes an on-site Hertz rental car counter for convenient ground transportation, though advance reservations are strongly recommended due to limited availability. The airport-managed Fixed Base Operator (FBO) provides comprehensive services including 24-hour self-service fueling for both 100LL and Jet A, with truck fueling available during attended hours (typically 06:00 to 21:00) or after hours by prior arrangement with a $75 call-out fee. The airport serves as a vital gateway for emergency medical operations, corporate aviation, and recreational flying in southern West Virginia. It is home to Helicopter Powerline Services, an FAA-certified Part 133 operation specializing in powerline construction, aerial sawing, and right-of-way management. The terminal area includes convenient short-term parking just steps from the building, and a courtesy car is often available for brief local trips. For pilots and passengers, the facility provides weather briefing capabilities, restrooms, and vending machines, though dining options require a short drive to nearby Bluefield or Princeton, making this mountaintop airport an essential but specialized aviation facility for the region.