About Us
“The lure of flying is the lure of beauty.” ~ Amelia Earhart
The Pinedale Airport, also known as Ralph Wenz Field, is located approximately 6 miles southeast of Pinedale, Wyoming, the gateway to the majestic Wind River Mountains. It is a busy general aviation airport regularly used by larger business jet aircraft and smaller single and multi-engine aircraft. The Airport is owned and operated by the Town of Pinedale with the Pinedale Airport advisory board. General Manager, Riley Wilson is on site to help with all of your aviation needs. Our hospitality is as warm as the views are incredible.
The complete Pinedale Airport Minimum Standards document may be viewed here:
Our Story
The airport was named in memory of well known local SSG Ralph Wenz, an Army Air Corps navigator. CPL Wenz died in a1947 airplane crash while testing cold weather equipment in Alaska.
Humble Beginnings
The airport started as a grass landing strip in the late 1940s. The first paved runway, constructed in the 1950s, was 60 by 4,400 feet. In 1968, the runway was lengthened to 6,600 feet with funds raised by local businessmen.
Airport Expansion
There were several land acquisition projects over the years to accommodate future airport expansion. In 1985, a new 100-by-7,100-foot runway was constructed south of the old runway, which was converted into a taxiway. In 2000, the old taxiway was removed and replaced with a new 35-by-7,100-foot taxiway. In the fall of 2007, construction of a new access roadway began to accommodate a 1,800-foot runway extension which was completed in August 2008, bringing the total runway length to 8,900 feet. This added length gives aircraft currently using the airport greater operational stage lengths, which means they will be able to put on more fuel to travel greater distances without stopping to refuel. This is especially important during the hotter summer months when the airport’s 7,085-foot elevation makes it more difficult for aircraft to take off with a full load of fuel and passengers.
