I plan on doing some of these airport spotlights when I get out and plane spot different airports. For the first one, my local airport will be in the spotlight: KCID or The Eastern Iowa Airport!

Spotting at an airport in eastern Iowa, one may ask why spot in the state best dubbed as “The Flyover State”? Well, spotting at KCID is quite easy and very welcoming. Spotting can be done on the east side of the airport in a large gravel lot (which used to be the old cell lot) by the new finished fuel depot for runway 9/27 operations or just down the road for runway 13/31. Spotting on the west end can be done but you have to park on some easements into farmland which can be frowned upon if spotting for long periods of time.

As a feeder airport for the 3 main airlines to Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Washington D.C, and Phoenix, the airport has seen its services grow exponentially over the years. On the low cost side, Allegiant currently serves nine destinations and Frontier with a seasonal schedule to 2 destinations. From the days of only E175s and a slew of CRJ aircraft to daily and multi-daily trips in B737s and A319/320/321, the airport has seen its capacity rise with larger narrowbody aircraft servicing the airport.

The military also keeps us spotters on our toes. A lot of units like to use the airport for either touch and go’s or as a fuel stop. Additionally, the military supports Iowa Hawkeye Football by providing aircraft for flyovers.

Signature Aviation has also recently opened their new FBO on the west side of the airfield making operations flow better than when they were in their old location. Signature welcomes all general, private, military and charter flights to their facility which really diversifies aircraft visiting any given day.

Whether just passing through eastern Iowa or you live within driving distance, give spotting at KCID a chance. With wonderful scheduling blocks, arrivals and departures are within set blocks throughout the day so there will always something to see!