โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ed Carlson Memorial Field (TDO/KTDO), also known as South Lewis County Airport, serves as a county-owned public-use general aviation facility located on 95 acres, three nautical miles north of Toledo, Washington. Named in honor of Ed Carlson, a long-serving board member, the facility underwent a major $3.2 million FAA-funded upgrade completed in 2020, featuring runway repainting, taxiway reconstruction to 25 feet width, and new lighting systems throughout the 4,479-foot primary runway.
The facility operates without a traditional passenger terminal, instead providing essential general aviation infrastructure including aircraft parking, fuel services available until dusk, and basic pilot amenities. Modern navigation aids include LNAV GPS approaches to both runway ends with minimums as low as one mile visibility, plus REIL, MIRL, and PAPI lighting systems operating on pilot-controlled activation. A web camera mounted on the beacon tower provides real-time weather monitoring for flight planning.
Operational characteristics center on flight training through the Toledo Flying Club (established 1940), skydiving operations via the on-field parachute center (since 1972), and emergency services coordination under Seattle TRACON airspace control. The airport serves as a primary staging site during natural disasters, providing critical access for emergency and military personnel responding to regional incidents in southwestern Washington.
Strategic importance encompasses supporting recreational aviation access to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Chehalis River recreation areas, and the Olympic Peninsula, while maintaining essential connectivity for flight training, emergency services, and general aviation activities serving the rural Pacific Northwest communities along the scenic Chehalis River valley.
๐ Connection Tips
Check with operators for procedures at Ed Carlson Memorial Field, a general aviation facility serving Toledo and South Lewis County in southwestern Washington State. The facility operates under Seattle TRACON airspace control, with traffic patterns coordinated to avoid conflicts with nearby Chehalis-Centralia Airport operations. The airport's strategic location provides access to recreational opportunities including Mount St. Ground transportation consists of courtesy cars (when available), rental vehicles from nearby Centralia/Chehalis, and taxi services to downtown Toledo, though advance arrangement is strongly recommended as options are limited. Hangar space and courtesy car availability should be confirmed in advance.
Pacific Northwest weather patterns including persistent winter fog, low clouds, rain, and occasional snow significantly impact flight operations, particularly during the fall and winter months when visibility can be severely restricted. Keep cash available as card payment options may not be available after hours. Local aviation services focus on flight training with multiple instructors available, aircraft maintenance for single-engine aircraft, and hangar rental for aircraft storage in the wet Pacific Northwest climate. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Chehalis River recreational areas, and the Olympic Peninsula, making it popular with recreational pilots and hunters.
Emergency services coordinate with Lewis County Fire District and local emergency medical services, with backup from nearby Centralia and Olympia hospitals for serious medical situations. This public-use airport operates without commercial service, primarily serving private aircraft, flight training, and recreational flying activities near the scenic Chehalis River valley. Fuel services end at dusk, so pilots planning evening departures must arrange fuel earlier in the day. Weather monitoring relies on pilot reports and nearby AWOS stations, as the airport operates with pilot-controlled lighting systems that require pilots to activate runway lighting after dark.
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.
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