Grimes Airport (AL74) — Semmes, Alabama

Grimes Airport, designated with the FAA identifier AL74, is a private-use general aviation facility located in Semmes, Alabama, a community in Mobile County in the southwestern corner of the state. Situated roughly 15 miles northwest of downtown Mobile, Semmes sits in a region where rural character meets suburban growth, making small private airstrips like Grimes Airport an important resource for local pilots, agricultural operators, and private aviation enthusiasts across the Mobile metro area.

The airport serves as a privately owned landing strip supporting personal and utility flying in an area where the nearest commercial service is provided by Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), located approximately 12 miles to the southeast. For pilots who need access to the western Mobile County corridor without navigating Class C airspace at MOB, AL74 offers a practical and accessible alternative.

Facility Overview

Grimes Airport is a single-runway general aviation facility typical of private-use airstrips found throughout rural Alabama. The field supports light piston aircraft operations, including training flights, personal transportation, and agricultural aviation activities such as crop surveys and aerial observation. The surrounding terrain is relatively flat with mixed pine forest and cleared land, conditions favorable for visual flight rule (VFR) operations throughout most of the year.

Mobile County's Gulf Coast climate brings warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorm activity, particularly from June through September. Pilots operating out of AL74 must remain vigilant about rapidly developing convective weather, as afternoon buildups can reduce visibility and create hazardous flying conditions with little warning. Morning departure windows tend to offer the most stable flying conditions during summer months.

Location and Access

Semmes is accessed primarily via Interstate 65 and Alabama Highway 158, placing Grimes Airport within easy reach of the broader Mobile metropolitan area. The community has grown steadily over recent decades as Mobile's suburban footprint has expanded northward and westward. Despite this growth, the area retains a rural feel with large residential lots and agricultural land, the kind of setting that supports private airstrip operations.

The airport's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico — Mobile Bay lies roughly 20 miles to the east — means coastal weather patterns regularly influence flying conditions. Sea breezes, fog, and low ceilings can develop quickly, particularly during transitional seasons. Pilots using AL74 should always obtain a thorough preflight weather briefing from 1800wxbrief.com or the Leidos Flight Service before departing.

Regional Aviation Context

Southwest Alabama supports a distributed network of general aviation airports serving communities across the region. Within a reasonable flying distance of Grimes Airport, pilots will find several public-use facilities that provide fuel, maintenance, and instrument approach capabilities. Jack Edwards National Airport (JKA) in Gulf Shores offers a paved runway and full services for pilots venturing toward Alabama's Gulf Coast. Fairhope Municipal Airport (5R4) on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay serves the Baldwin County community with a paved runway and hangar facilities.

Closer to home, Brookley Field at Mobile Aeroplex (BFM) operates on the site of the former military installation on Mobile Bay's western shore, offering extensive ramp space, FBO services, and IFR approaches. For pilots departing AL74 on cross-country flights into central Alabama, Prattville Airport near Autauga County and Greenville Municipal Airport (PRN) in Butler County provide convenient fuel stops along the Highway 31 corridor.

Private Aviation in Mobile County

Private airports like Grimes Airport play an understated but important role in regional aviation infrastructure. They reduce congestion at primary commercial and reliever airports, provide landing options during fuel or weather emergencies, and support local economies through agricultural aviation, charter operations, and personal travel. Alabama's extensive network of private and public-use airstrips — numbering well over 200 statewide — reflects the deep tradition of general aviation across the South.

The FAA maintains records for AL74 under Airport ID 26844, and the facility is listed in official aeronautical databases used by aviation charting services including Jeppesen and Garmin. Pilots planning to operate at Grimes Airport should check current NOTAM activity through the FAA's NOTAM Search portal and confirm field status before flight, as privately owned airports may have operational hours or access restrictions not reflected in standard publications.

Whether you're a Mobile County resident with a light sport aircraft, a flight instructor planning a cross-country training route, or a pilot seeking an alternative landing option in western Mobile County, Grimes Airport (AL74) represents the kind of local general aviation resource that keeps Alabama's aviation community connected to its communities.

Grimes Airport - Al74 Contact Information

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

Name Grimes Airport - Al74
Address 10980 Wulff Road South, Semmes AL 36575 Map
Phone (251) 649-1669
Website
Hours

Map of Grimes Airport - Al74


Airports near Semmes

Frequently Asked Questions — Grimes Airport (AL74), Semmes, Alabama

Grimes Airport is designated by the FAA identifier AL74 and carries the airport ID 26844 in federal aviation records. It is a privately owned, private-use general aviation airstrip located in Semmes, Mobile County, Alabama. Pilots planning to use the facility should verify current operational status and any access restrictions before flight, as private-use airports may require prior permission from the owner.

Grimes Airport (AL74) is located approximately 12 to 15 miles northwest of Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), the primary commercial service airport for the Mobile metropolitan area. MOB operates Class C airspace, so pilots departing or arriving at AL74 on routes that take them near Mobile should be aware of the airspace boundaries and contact Mobile Approach Control if transitioning through or near Class C. Brookley Field (BFM) at Mobile Aeroplex is also nearby, situated closer to Mobile Bay.

As a private-use general aviation airstrip, Grimes Airport is best suited for light piston aircraft such as Cessna 172s, Piper Cherokee variants, and light sport aircraft. The field supports VFR personal flying, local training operations, and utility flights including agricultural reconnaissance. Pilots should consult the Airport/Facility Directory or current aeronautical charts for runway length, surface condition, and weight limitations before planning operations at AL74.

Semmes and Mobile County experience a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and significant rainfall averaging over 60 inches annually. Afternoon convective thunderstorms are common from May through September and can develop rapidly, reducing VFR margins quickly. Coastal fog from Mobile Bay can also create low-ceiling conditions, particularly in fall and winter mornings. Pilots should always obtain a full weather briefing via 1800wxbrief.com or Leidos Flight Service and plan morning departures during summer to avoid afternoon storm activity.

Since Grimes Airport (AL74) is a private-use facility without public fuel services, pilots needing avgas or Jet-A should plan to fuel at nearby public-use airports. Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley (BFM) offers full FBO services including 100LL and Jet-A. Jack Edwards National Airport (JKA) in Gulf Shores provides fueling and maintenance. For flights heading north into central Alabama, Greenville Municipal Airport (PRN) and airports near Prattville in Autauga County serve as convenient en-route fuel stops along the I-65 corridor.

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