Flying Cloud Field

Flying Cloud is a public airport located in Eden Prairie (Hennepin County) and covers 543 acres over 3 runways. Back in the my early years, my Family drove through old Shakopee (past the grain elevator) and up and past the Flying Cloud Airport on our way to the Twin Cities. We would even stop to look around and marvel at this geographically interesting location (and an old ski area down the hill).
The airport was created in 1941 when the United States Navy was training pilots for World War II. The Navy made arrangements with a local farmer, Martin «Pappy» Grill, to use a grass landing strip. Pilots flying from Wold-​Chamberlain Airport, now Minneapolis-​St. Paul International Airport, would use this field for practicing approaches. After the war, Grill sold the field and some adjoining land and the field was named «Flying Cloud Airport» to reflect local Indian lore and flying.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission bought the airport in 1948 and paved the runway. A control tower in 1963. By 1966, it was ranked the second-​busiest airport in the central United States behind Chicago-O’Hare International Airport. In 1968, it was the ninth-​busiest airport in the United States. Today it is designated by the FAA as a reliever airport and aircraft are restricted to 60,000 pounds or less, except in an emergency situation or when operated by the U.S. Government. And because of the airport’s proximity to the Valleyfair amusement park, the rides are restricted in height by FAA regulations.