Fort Sumner Municipal Airport (FSU)

Fort Sumner Municipal Airport (FSU) is a public-use general aviation facility located two miles northeast of Fort Sumner in De Baca County, New Mexico. The airport features two paved runways, including the 5,802-foot primary runway (03/21), and is steeped in aviation history, having served as a major training base for the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Today, it remains a critical piece of infrastructure for the high plains region, supporting agriculture, ranching, and specialized scientific research. A unique and globally significant aspect of the airport is its role as a primary launch site for NASA's high-altitude balloon program, managed by the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility. NASA maintains specialized facilities on the field, including a modified World War II-era hangar equipped with climate control for scientific payloads. The airport hosts two major balloon launch campaigns annually, typically in the spring and autumn, sending massive stratospheric balloons to near-space altitudes for planetary research and technology demonstrations. This activity brings a significant number of international scientists and aerospace technicians to the remote New Mexico community. The passenger terminal building provides basic but essential facilities for visiting pilots and ground crews. It includes a comfortable waiting lounge, restroom facilities, and flight planning resources. The airport offers 24-hour self-service 100LL aviation fuel, and Jet A is available during staffed business hours (typically 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday). There are no scheduled commercial airline services at FSU, and all ground transportation must be pre-arranged as there are no on-demand taxis or rental agencies stationed at the airfield. The airport is conveniently located near the Billy the Kid Museum and the Pecos River, making it a frequent stop for recreational pilots touring the historic sites of eastern New Mexico.