Roy E Ray Airport (2R4) – Irvington, Alabama

Roy E Ray Airport, operating under the FAA identifier 2R4, is a small general aviation airport located in Irvington, Alabama, a community situated in the southwestern corner of Mobile County. Serving local pilots, private aircraft owners, and general aviation enthusiasts throughout the greater Mobile metropolitan area, this facility represents the kind of community-focused airfield that forms the backbone of America's general aviation infrastructure. Irvington itself lies roughly 15 miles west-southwest of downtown Mobile, placing 2R4 within easy reach of one of the Gulf Coast's most historically significant port cities.

Mobile County, where Irvington and Roy E Ray Airport are located, is the third-most populous county in Alabama, home to approximately 415,000 residents. The county's geography is defined by its proximity to Mobile Bay, the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, and the Gulf of Mexico, making the region a hub for maritime commerce, aerospace manufacturing, and outdoor recreation. General aviation airports like Roy E Ray Airport play a vital supporting role in this economy, providing access to communities and industrial sites that commercial airline service does not reach.

As a small general aviation airport, 2R4 primarily accommodates single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft, as well as smaller turboprop planes. Facilities at airports of this classification typically include a grass or paved runway, tie-down areas for based aircraft, and self-service or limited fueling options. Pilots flying into or out of Roy E Ray Airport benefit from its uncongested airspace compared to the Class C airspace surrounding Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), making it an attractive base for local flying clubs, flight training operations, and personal aircraft ownership.

The surrounding terrain around Irvington is characteristic of coastal Alabama — low-lying, heavily wooded with longleaf pine and mixed hardwood forests, and interspersed with creeks and wetland areas that drain toward Mobile Bay. This flat topography generally presents favorable conditions for general aviation operations, though pilots must remain alert to the Gulf Coast's seasonal weather patterns, particularly during summer months when convective activity, afternoon thunderstorms, and periods of low visibility due to high humidity and sea fog can develop rapidly. The hurricane season, running from June through November, also requires pilots based at 2R4 to have solid emergency procedures and hangar or tie-down protocols in place.

Irvington is part of the broader Mobile metro area and shares in the region's economic identity, which includes shipbuilding and ship repair industries at the Port of Mobile, Airbus's U.S. manufacturing facility in nearby Mobile, and a growing logistics and distribution sector. Pilots operating out of Roy E Ray Airport frequently support business and personal travel needs for residents and small business owners across southwestern Mobile County who require the flexibility that general aviation uniquely provides — the ability to reach destinations across Alabama and the Gulf South on their own schedule, without routing through a commercial terminal.

The general aviation community in Mobile County benefits from a network of regional airports that complement each other's capabilities. Roy E Ray Airport at 2R4 serves the Irvington and western Mobile County area, while other facilities in the region address the needs of pilots in different parts of southwestern Alabama. Understanding the role each airport plays within this network helps pilots plan cross-country flights, maintenance visits, and fuel stops effectively.

For pilots unfamiliar with the Irvington area, the airspace environment around Roy E Ray Airport requires careful attention to nearby Class C airspace boundaries associated with Mobile Regional Airport, as well as any Temporary Flight Restrictions that may be active in the Mobile Bay region. Consulting current NOTAMs prior to any flight to or from 2R4 is standard practice, and pilots are encouraged to monitor appropriate CTAF frequencies and file flight plans for cross-country operations originating from this field. Roy E Ray Airport's position in southwestern Alabama's general aviation landscape makes it a valued asset for the Irvington community and Mobile County as a whole.

Roy E Ray Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Irvington, Alabama.

Name Roy E Ray Airport
Address 11317 Airport Road, Irvington AL 36544 Map
Phone (251) 824-4538
Website
Hours

Map of Roy E Ray Airport

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Frequently Asked Questions – Roy E Ray Airport (2R4), Irvington, Alabama

Roy E Ray Airport's official FAA identifier is 2R4. The airport is located in Irvington, Alabama, a community in the southwestern portion of Mobile County. Irvington sits approximately 15 miles west-southwest of downtown Mobile, placing the airport within the broader Mobile metropolitan area. Mobile County is Alabama's only saltwater port county, and 2R4 serves pilots and aircraft owners throughout this historically and economically significant region of coastal Alabama.

As a small general aviation airport, Roy E Ray Airport primarily serves single-engine piston aircraft and light twin-engine planes. Smaller turboprop aircraft may also operate at 2R4 depending on runway length and surface conditions. The airport is not served by scheduled commercial airline operations. It functions as a base for locally based aircraft owners, recreational pilots, and small business aviation users in western Mobile County who benefit from the flexibility of general aviation access without navigating the busier airspace and facilities at Mobile Regional Airport (MOB).

Pilots based at or transiting through Roy E Ray Airport (2R4) have access to a network of general aviation airports across Alabama. Nearby options include Sells Airport (71AL), another small Alabama general aviation field, and Greenville Municipal Airport (PRN) to the north in Butler County. Further afield, pilots routing toward central Alabama may stop at Prattville Airport or Autauga County Airport near Prattville, while Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport in Luverne offers another intermediate option for cross-country flights through south-central Alabama. These airports collectively support general aviation connectivity across the region.

Mobile County's Gulf Coast location creates specific weather challenges for pilots using Roy E Ray Airport. Summer months bring frequent afternoon convective thunderstorms that can develop rapidly, requiring careful preflight weather briefings and flexible scheduling. High humidity levels year-round contribute to reduced visibility from sea fog, particularly during early morning hours. The Atlantic hurricane season (June through November) demands that based aircraft owners have established protocols for aircraft evacuation or securing. Pilots should always check current METARs, TAFs, and AIRMETs before departing 2R4, and should monitor Mobile Regional Airport weather as a representative regional observation point.

Roy E Ray Airport provides western Mobile County residents and businesses with direct general aviation access, supporting personal travel, business aviation, and local flight operations without requiring a drive to Mobile Regional Airport. The Irvington area is part of a Mobile County economy that includes the Port of Mobile, Airbus manufacturing, shipbuilding, and a growing logistics sector — all industries that benefit from general aviation connectivity. Small business owners, agricultural operators, and private pilots in communities like Irvington rely on airports such as 2R4 to reach customers, suppliers, and destinations across Alabama and the Gulf South region efficiently and on their own schedules.

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