Stettler Strip Airport — A Private Aviation Strip Serving Fort Wayne Area Pilots in Allen County
Stettler Strip Airport is a private-use general aviation facility in the Fort Wayne area of Allen County, Indiana. Like many similarly named private strips across the Midwest, the Stettler Strip reflects the tradition of Indiana families and agricultural operators maintaining their own landing areas for personal aircraft — a convenience that has defined rural Hoosier aviation since the post-World War II general aviation boom. Located in one of Indiana's most aviation-dense counties, Stettler Strip operates in proximity to Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA), Smith Field Airport (SMD), and dozens of other private strips that collectively form Allen County's informal aviation network.
Private strips like Stettler are typically short turf or packed-gravel runways designed for single-engine piston aircraft, offering their owners the ability to fly directly from their property without driving to a public airport. Allen County's flat terrain is exceptionally forgiving for private airstrip construction and operation, with few elevation changes and minimal tree encroachment in the agricultural zones surrounding Fort Wayne. Pilots using Stettler Strip must comply with FAA regulations regarding airspace, pilot certification, and aircraft airworthiness, and must maintain awareness of Fort Wayne's active Class C airspace when operating in the vicinity of FWA and SMD. Indiana DOT's Office of Aviation recognizes private strips as part of the state's comprehensive aviation system.
Is Stettler Strip Airport open to public landings?
No. Stettler Strip Airport is private-use and requires owner permission to land. Public aviation services in Fort Wayne are available at Smith Field Airport (SMD) for general aviation and Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) for commercial and corporate operations.
What type of aircraft is Stettler Strip suited for?
Private strips of this type are typically designed for light single-engine aircraft such as Cessna 150/172, Piper Cherokee, and similar trainers and personal aircraft. Runway length may not be suitable for heavier multi-engine aircraft.
Who regulates private airstrips in Indiana?
Private airstrips fall under FAA Part 157 notification requirements for construction and are regulated under general aviation airspace rules. Indiana DOT's Office of Aviation also tracks private facilities and offers safety guidance to operators across the state's 92 counties.
Stettler Strip Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
| Name | Stettler Strip Airport |
| Address | 6626 Hursh Road, Fort Wayne IN 46845 Map |
| Phone | (260) 637-8234 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Stettler Strip Airport
Airports near Fort Wayne
Farm Strip Aviation Traditions and the Role of Private Airstrips in Allen County's Flight Community
The tradition of private farm strips across Indiana's agricultural counties dates to the 1940s and 1950s, when returning World War II veterans with newly acquired pilot certificates discovered that flat Indiana farmland was ideal for personal airstrip construction. Allen County's aviation heritage includes not just the public facilities at FWA and SMD but a rich tapestry of family-owned strips like Stettler that have hosted everything from crop surveillance flights to weekend cross-country adventures. These strips are often passed down through generations, carrying family histories of aviation enthusiasm alongside their physical infrastructure.
For the broader Fort Wayne aviation community, private strips like Stettler complement the work of public facilities by keeping local pilots engaged with flying year-round. Indiana's aviation community benefits from strong organizations including the Indiana Aviation Trades Association, local EAA chapters, and AOPA's presence in the state, all of which advocate for preserving general aviation infrastructure against encroaching development and regulatory burden. Stettler Strip Airport, while modest in scale, represents the grassroots foundation of Indiana's general aviation culture — one family, one runway, and one connection to the open skies over Allen County.