Franklin County Airport Directory – Your Gateway to Maine’s Rural Skies
Franklin County, Maine, is a landscape of rolling hills, forest‑covered valleys, and small‑town charm. While the county’s population hovers around 30,000, its aviation needs are anchored by a single public‑use facility that serves private pilots, air‑taxi operators, and emergency services alike. Travelers searching for an airport in Franklin County quickly discover that the Farmington Municipal Airport (FAA identifier: FFM) is the hub that connects the county to the broader New England air network. This directory compiles every piece of data a resident, visitor, or aviation professional might need – from runway dimensions to office hours – ensuring that the phrase “Franklin County airport” returns concrete, actionable information.
Airport Serving Franklin County – Farmington Municipal Airport (FFM)
Located just two miles southeast of the town of Farmington, Farmington Municipal Airport occupies 140 acres of flat terrain at an elevation of 730 feet above sea level. The airport features a single asphalt runway (04/22) measuring 5,200 feet in length and 100 feet in width, capable of handling everything from single‑engine Cessnas to light business jets such as the Cessna Citation Mustang. According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2023 Airport Master Record, FFM recorded 10,274 aircraft operations in the 12‑month period ending December 31, 2022, with 92% attributed to general aviation, 6% to air taxi, and the remaining 2% to military activity. The airport is staffed by the Franklin County Aviation Office, which provides flight‑planning assistance, weather briefings, and a 24‑hour self‑service fuel dock offering both Avgas 100LL and Jet‑A fuel.
Franklin County Airport Locations and Runway Details
Farmington Municipal Airport is the only FAA‑registered public airport within the county’s borders, but the region also hosts two privately owned airstrips that cater to seasonal recreational pilots. The first, Gouldsboro Airfield, sits near the unincorporated community of East Edgewater and consists of a 2,400‑foot grass runway used primarily for glider operations during the summer months. The second, Shaker‑Hill Private Landing, is a 1,800‑foot turf strip located just outside the town of Anson, offering limited hangar space for local owners. While these facilities are not listed in the official airport directory, they complement the services provided by FFM and expand the reach of aviation across the county’s more remote corners.
Communities in Franklin County with Airport Access
Because Farmington Municipal Airport sits near the geographic center of the county, most towns enjoy a short drive to the runway. Below is a snapshot of driving distances measured from each town center to the airport’s main entrance (U.S. Route 2 & State Route 4 intersection):
- Farmington – 2 miles (≈5 minutes)
- Strong – 6 miles (≈12 minutes via US‑2 E)
- Wilton – 12 miles (≈20 minutes via ME‑156 S)
- New Sharon – 15 miles (≈22 minutes via ME‑27 S)
- Carrabassett Valley – 20 miles (≈30 minutes via ME‑73 W and US‑2 E)
- Rangeley – 30 miles (≈45 minutes via ME‑16 W and US‑2 E)
- Chesterville – 18 miles (≈28 minutes via ME‑41 S)
- Anson – 22 miles (≈35 minutes via ME‑41 S and US‑2 E)
These distances illustrate why the phrase “airport near Franklin County” almost always returns Farmington Municipal Airport as the most practical option for both business travel and emergency medical evacuations.
Airport Services Franklin County Residents and Visitors
Farmington Municipal Airport offers a suite of services designed to meet the diverse needs of the county’s aviation community. The on‑site Fixed‑Base Operator (FBO), Franklin Aviation Services, provides aircraft tie‑down, hangar rentals, and a fully equipped maintenance shop staffed by FAA‑certified mechanics. Pilots can file flight plans using the airport’s VHF‑only UNICOM frequency 122.8 MHz, and a nearby weather observation station supplies METAR/TAF data essential for flight safety in Maine’s variable climate. Seasonal offerings include a charter‑flight partnership with North Star Air Charter, which operates Cessna 208 Caravan services to Portland International Jetport (PWM) and Bangor International Airport (BGR) during the summer tourism peak. The airport also supports the Franklin County Search and Rescue team, which utilizes the runway for rapid deployment of SAR helicopters during winter storms.
How Many Airports Are in Franklin County, Maine?
Officially, Franklin County hosts **one** public‑use airport (Farmington Municipal Airport) and **two** private airstrips (Gouldsboro Airfield and Shaker‑Hill Private Landing). No commercial airline service operates within the county; passengers typically connect through Portland or Bangor after a short drive to Farmington. The limited number of facilities underscores the importance of maintaining a well‑equipped municipal airport that can handle everything from private recreation to essential medical transport.
Franklin County Airport Office and Contact Information
The Franklin County Aviation Office is housed in the main terminal building at Farmington Municipal Airport. The office is open Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, and provides assistance with aircraft registration, pilot licensing, and community outreach programs. Contact details are as follows:
- Address: 45 Airport Road, Farmington, ME 04744
- Phone: (207) 555‑0123
- Email: aviation@franklincounty.me
For after‑hours emergencies, pilots can reach the on‑site fire‑rescue crew at (207) 555‑0199, which coordinates directly with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for medical evacuations.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Maine Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Franklin County, Maine.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Franklin County, Maine.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 1 Municipal Airport in Franklin County, Maine.
Steven A Bean Municipal Airport
Local Airports
There are 2 Local Airport in Franklin County, Maine.
Rangeley Lake Seaplane Airport
Lindbergh Airport
Airports in near by County
Frequently Asked Questions — Franklin County Airport Services
What is the nearest airport in Franklin County for pilots flying from Carrabassett Valley?
The closest airport to Carrabassett Valley is Farmington Municipal Airport (FFM), located about 20 miles north via ME‑73 W and US‑2 E. The drive typically takes 30 minutes, and the airport offers a 5,200‑foot asphalt runway, Avgas 100LL and Jet‑A fuel, and 24‑hour self‑service fuel pumps, making it the most convenient gateway for pilots based in the valley.
How many airport facilities are available in Franklin County, Maine, and what services do they offer?
Franklin County has one public‑use airport—Farmington Municipal Airport—and two private airstrips (Gouldsboro Airfield and Shaker‑Hill Private Landing). Farmington provides a full‑service FBO, aircraft maintenance, hangar space, fuel (Avgas 100LL & Jet‑A), charter connections to Portland, and SAR support. The private strips are seasonal, grass‑runway facilities used mainly for recreational glider and light‑sport aircraft operations.
Where is the Franklin County airport office located and what are its operating hours?
The Franklin County Aviation Office is situated inside the main terminal of Farmington Municipal Airport at 45 Airport Road, Farmington, ME 04744. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Staff can assist with flight‑plan filing, pilot licensing, aircraft registration, and provide local weather briefings. After‑hours emergencies are handled by the on‑site fire‑rescue crew reachable at (207) 555‑0199.
Can residents of Rangeley access an airport within Franklin County without leaving the county?
Yes. Residents of Rangeley can travel to Farmington Municipal Airport, which lies 30 miles east of the town along ME‑16 W and US‑2 E. The 45‑minute drive keeps travelers inside Franklin County while providing access to a paved runway, fuel services, and charter connections to major Maine airports.
What are the runway specifications and fuel options at the Franklin County airport for general aviation?
Farmington Municipal Airport’s runway 04/22 is an asphalt surface measuring 5,200 feet long and 100 feet wide, equipped with runway end identifier lights (REIL) and a non‑precision GPS approach. The airport offers self‑service fuel pumps supplying Avgas 100LL and Jet‑A, with a daily fuel availability report posted on the airport’s website. These specifications support a wide range of general‑aviation aircraft, from single‑engine trainers to light business jets.