โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Sher-Wood Airport (IATA: PWD, ICAO: KPWD, FAA LID: PWD) is a public-use airport located one nautical mile northeast of Plentywood, Montana, covering 600 acres at an elevation of 2,263 feet MSL. Owned jointly by the city and county, this general aviation facility serves Sheridan County in Montana's far northeast corner, just south of the Canadian border. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems classifies Sher-Wood Airport as a general aviation facility serving local and regional aviation needs.
The airport operates three runways in good condition: a reconstructed primary asphalt runway 12-30 with full parallel taxiway and enhanced lighting systems, plus two turf runways providing crosswind capabilities. Ground facilities include 24-hour self-service fuel pumps accepting credit cards, aircraft tie-down areas, and hangar facilities. Nine aircraft are based on the field, including ultralights and single-engine airplanes, contributing to diverse general aviation operations including local flying, military exercises, air taxi services, and transient general aviation activities.
The modern pilot house contains comfortable seating, restroom facilities, telephone services, and instructions for obtaining keys to the airport's courtesy car for transportation to downtown Plentywood. Weather briefing capabilities and flight planning areas support visiting pilots, while the facility operates without ramp or landing fees, reflecting its community-focused approach to aviation services. Pilot-activated lighting systems and self-service fuel operations accommodate 24-hour aircraft operations under Montana's challenging seasonal weather conditions.
Strategically located near the 24-hour Canadian border crossing, Sher-Wood Airport supports agricultural aviation including crop dusting for Sheridan County's farming operations, emergency medical transport, law enforcement activities, and cross-border general aviation traffic. The facility serves as a critical link for business aviation connecting this remote region to Montana's urban centers, recreational flying, and emergency services including medical evacuations and search and rescue missions throughout northeastern Montana's Hi-Line corridor.
๐ Connection Tips
Sher-Wood Airport (PWD) serves the town of Plentywood and Sheridan County in the far northeast corner of Montana. It handles NO scheduled commercial airline passenger flights. It primarily serves private pilots, agribusiness charters, and visiting aircraft for the local livestock and energy industries near the Canadian border.
Ground transport is limited; there is no public transit or taxi rank directly serving the terminal. Travelers should pre-arrange a pickup from a local contact or walk the short distance to town (approx. 1 mile west). Rental cars are not available on-site and must be arranged from nearby larger hubs for delivery.
That is why the airport matters to ranch and county travel in the Fort Peck region: it gives local pilots and visitors a maintained landing point with a short road leg into the settlement. The field is small, but it solves the distance problem very well. In a district this spread out, a short transfer is the whole advantage. Sher-Wood is best treated as a Plentywood access field, so the ground plan is usually a local car or a pre-arranged pickup from the town side rather than expecting commercial transport to assemble at the airfield. In practice, that makes the airport valuable to local ranch, business, and emergency travel because the town pickup is easier to plan than a commercial ride.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ambler Airport (ABL) is a remote, state-owned public-use airport located in the Native Alaskan village of Ambler, within the Northwest Arctic Borough. It serves as an indispensable lifeline for this isolated community, as there are no connecting roads. The airport's infrastructure is extremely basic, reflecting its role as a bush airport. There is no traditional terminal building; instead, operations are conducted from a small, heated shelter or a designated waiting area adjacent to the gravel runway. This single facility serves as the waiting lounge, check-in area, and baggage claim point.
The airport is equipped with two gravel runways, the longest measuring 3,000 feet, operating at an elevation of 334 feet above mean sea level. This design accommodates the small aircraft, typically Twin Otters or Cessnas, that are vital for connecting Ambler to larger regional hubs. Passengers should anticipate a highly informal process, with direct interactions with pilots and airline representatives from operators like Bering Air.
Amenities at Ambler Airport are exceptionally sparse. There are no cafes, restaurants, vending machines, or shops on-site. Travelers are strongly advised to bring all necessary provisions, including food, water, and personal supplies. Security procedures are minimal, consistent with bush flying operations in remote Alaska, focusing on adherence to general aviation safety guidelines.
๐ Connection Tips
Connections at Ambler Airport are exclusively through domestic bush flights, with Bering Air being the primary scheduled carrier. These flights are crucial for linking Ambler with the regional hub of Kotzebue (OTZ) and nearby villages like Shungnak (SHG) and Kobuk (OBU). Kotzebue's Ralph Wien Memorial Airport serves as the main gateway from which most flights to Ambler originate, providing essential connections to Anchorage via Alaska Airlines. Because there are no roads connecting this isolated part of the Northwest Arctic Borough to the rest of the state, these regional air links are the only way to transport supplies, personnel, and medical essentials to the community. Travelers should expect a highly personalized but informal experience, as flights often operate as multi-stop 'milk runs' across the Kobuk River valley.
Travel to and from Ambler is highly dependent on unpredictable Arctic weather conditions and available daylight hours. Flights are frequently subject to significant delays or total cancellations due to adverse weather patterns, including dense fog, heavy snow, or high winds, which are common throughout the year. It is crucial for all travelers to maintain flexible itineraries and to confirm their flight status directly with Bering Air or their charter operator before heading to the airstrip. Unlike major commercial airports, there are no inter-airline baggage transfer services here; all luggage is handled manually by the pilot and ground agents upon arrival and departure. Always prepare for the unexpected and carry essential items in your carry-on, as the challenging environment can lead to extended stays in regional hubs like Kotzebue.
Ground transportation in the village of Ambler is extremely limited and primarily relies on local community members or pre-arranged pickups from your lodging provider. There are no traditional taxi services, Uber, or rental cars readily available at the airport, which is located about 1.5 miles north of the village center. Most residents and visitors use ATVs (four-wheelers) during the summer and snow machines in the winter to navigate the gravel road between the airstrip and the community. Bering Air typically has a local agent who coordinates arrivals and can assist with logistics, but it is vital to have a clear plan for your ground transport well in advance of your touchdown to ensure you are not left stranded at the remote airfield.
Self-sufficiency is paramount when traveling to such an isolated destination, and coordination with local providers like the Kobuk River Lodge is highly recommended. This lodge is the primary provider for both accommodation and meals in Ambler and can often assist with arranging the necessary transport from the airport. During the summer months, travel between Ambler, Shungnak, and Kobuk can also be conducted via small boats on the Kobuk River, though this is a local arrangement and not part of any formal transit system. Having a thorough understanding of your ground logistics, including pre-booked lodging and a confirmed local contact for pickup, is as critical as your flight plan when navigating the unique challenges of the Alaskan bush.
โ Back to Sher-Wood Airport