Airports in Pembina County, North Dakota: Private, Municipal, Regional(All)

Pembina County Airport Directory – Your Guide to Aviation in North Dakota’s Northern Frontier

Pembina County sits at the extreme northeastern tip of North Dakota, bordering Canada and the Red River. The county’s sparse population of roughly 6,800 (2023 estimate) is spread across a handful of incorporated towns—Cavalier (the county seat), Pembina, and Bathgate—and a network of unincorporated communities such as Lansford, Kerrick, and Lawn. Despite its remote location, the county maintains a modest but vital aviation infrastructure that supports agricultural spraying, medical transport, private recreation, and occasional cargo movements. This directory compiles every public‑use airport that operates inside the county limits, provides detailed distance calculations for the major population centers, and outlines the services each facility offers.

The primary gateway for commercial and charter flights that serve Pembina County residents is Grand Forks International Airport (GFK), located 28 miles west in Grand Forks County. For most private pilots, however, the county’s own public‑use fields—Pembina County Airport (FAA identifier 7ND5) and Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5)—provide the closest runway access, fuel, and hangar options. Both airports are owned and operated by the Pembina County Airport Authority, a board appointed by the county commissioners, and they receive partial funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.

Pembina County Airport (7ND5) – The Primary Public‑Use Facility

Located just two miles north of the city of Cavalier on County Road 3, Pembina County Airport (7ND5) occupies 115 acres of relatively flat prairie land. The field opened in 1972 and was upgraded in 2019 with a new 3,800‑foot asphalt runway (Runway 12/30) that can accommodate single‑engine pistons, light twins, and turboprop aircraft up to 7,500 pounds. The runway is equipped with medium‑intensity runway lighting (MIRL) and a rotating beacon, making night operations feasible for emergency medical flights and aerial firefighting crews.

Based aircraft statistics from the FAA’s 2022 Airport Master Record list eight based aircraft: six single‑engine airplanes, one multi‑engine piston, and one ultralight. The airport provides 100LL avgas via a self‑serve pump, and a contract fuel vendor delivers Jet‑A on request for turboprop operators. Hangar space consists of three T‑hangars and two open‑sided tie‑down rows, each rented on an annual basis to local farmers who use the airport for crop‑dusting operations during the growing season.

In addition to fuel and storage, Pembina County Airport hosts a modest Fixed‑Base Operator (FBO) called “Northern Plains Aviation Services.” The FBO offers aircraft maintenance (A&P certified), flight planning rooms, and a pilot lounge equipped with Wi‑Fi, a weather briefing station, and a small vending area. The field also serves as a staging point for the North Dakota State University (NDSU) agricultural research team, which conducts aerial surveys of soil moisture and crop health from late June through September each year.

Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5) – Community‑Focused General Aviation Hub

Just a mile northwest of downtown Cavalier, Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5) is a smaller, grass‑strip airport that primarily supports recreational pilots and local flight‑training activities. The single turf runway (Runway 9/27) measures 2,500 feet in length and is maintained by the Cavalier Airport Board in coordination with the county’s public works department. Because the surface is grass, the airport is most active during the dry months of May through October.

The airport’s annual operations exceed 2,200 take‑offs and landings, with the majority being private pilots conducting cross‑country trips to Grand Forks, Fargo, and the Canadian city of Winnipeg (approximately 115 miles north). The field does not have an on‑site fuel pump; however, a mobile fuel service visits twice a month, delivering 100LL avgas to pilots who request it in advance.

Flight training at Cavalier Municipal is provided by “Prairie Sky Flight Academy,” a locally owned school that offers private pilot certificates, instrument rating instruction, and seasonal aerial photography courses. The academy’s fleet consists of a Cessna 152 and a Piper PA‑28, both housed in a single‑story hangar that also serves as a classroom and briefing area. The school works closely with the Pembina County School District to introduce high‑school students to aviation through an annual “Aviation Day” event held each September.

Nearby Regional Airports Serving Pembina County Travelers

While the two county‑owned fields cover most general‑aviation needs, larger aircraft and commercial passengers rely on nearby regional airports. Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) is the closest Class C airport, situated 28 miles west of Cavalier along US‑2. GFK features two paved runways (10,000‑ and 8,800‑foot) and offers scheduled airline service via Delta Connection, United Express, and Alaska Airlines, connecting passengers to Minneapolis‑St. Paul (MSP) and Denver (DEN). The airport also provides full‑service FBOs, cargo handling facilities, and a 24‑hour control tower.

Fargo Hector International Airport (FAR), located roughly 150 miles southwest of Pembina County, is the next major hub. Though farther away, FAR handles a higher volume of passenger flights, cargo operations, and aircraft maintenance services, making it a secondary option for corporate jets and larger cargo aircraft that cannot be accommodated at GFK.

Communities in Pembina County with Airport Access

The following table lists the principal towns and unincorporated communities in Pembina County, their approximate distance to each public‑use airport, and the primary road routes used for travel.

• Cavalier – 2.0 mi north to Pembina County Airport (7ND5); 1.0 mi northwest to Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5). Access via County Road 3 and County Road 1.
• Pembina – 12.5 mi south‑southwest to Pembina County Airport; 13.2 mi to Cavalier Municipal Airport. Travel via ND‑5 and County Road 15.
• Bathgate – 8.7 mi east to Pembina County Airport; 9.3 mi to Cavalier Municipal Airport. Reachable via County Road 12.
• Lansford (unincorporated) – 6.4 mi north‑west to Pembina County Airport; 5.9 mi to Cavalier Municipal Airport. County Road 7 provides the shortest route.
• Kerrick – 14.1 mi south‑west to Pembina County Airport; 15.0 mi to Cavalier Municipal Airport. Access via County Road 4 and ND‑5.
• Lawn – 9.8 mi north‑east to Pembina County Airport; 10.5 mi to Cavalier Municipal Airport. Travel via County Road 9.

Because the county’s road network is primarily two‑lane highways, travel times to the airports typically range from 5 minutes (Cavalier) to 20 minutes (Pembina) under normal weather conditions. Winter snow and high winds can add extra minutes, especially for the grass runway at Cavalier Municipal, which may be closed during heavy snowfall.

How Many Airports Operate Within Pembina County?

According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) for 2023‑2027, Pembina County hosts two public‑use airports: Pembina County Airport (7ND5) and Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5). Both are listed as “general aviation” facilities. No commercial service airports exist within the county limits; the nearest commercial service airports are Grand Forks International (GFK) and Fargo Hector International (FAR), which are outside the county boundary but serve its residents.

Airport Services Available in Pembina County

Both county airports provide essential aviation services that support local economic activity. Pembina County Airport offers 100LL avgas, on‑request Jet‑A, aircraft maintenance (engine overhaul, avionics repair), tie‑down and hangar rentals, and a modest pilot lounge. The field also supports seasonal agricultural spraying contracts with companies such as “Great Plains Ag‑Air.” Cavalier Municipal Airport, while lacking permanent fuel infrastructure, provides tie‑down space, a seasonal mobile fuel service, flight‑training instruction, and a community meeting hall used for aviation outreach programs.

Emergency medical transport is a critical service in this remote region. The North Dakota Department of Health contracts with “Air Care North Dakota” to station a medical helicopter (Bell 407) at Pembina County Airport on a rotating schedule, ensuring rapid response to medical emergencies in both the county and adjacent rural areas of Minnesota and Manitoba.

Finally, the county’s airports are integral to local tourism. The Pembina River, known for its excellent fishing and bird‑watching, attracts visitors who often arrive via private aircraft. Seasonal events such as the Pembina County Fair (held each August) see a spike in transient aircraft, and both airports coordinate with local law enforcement to provide temporary parking for visiting pilots.

Frequently Asked Questions — Pembina County Airport Services

What is the nearest public‑use airport in Pembina County, North Dakota?

The closest public‑use airport is Pembina County Airport (FAA identifier 7ND5), located approximately two miles north of Cavalier and 12.5 miles south‑southwest of the city of Pembina.

How far is Pembina County Airport (7ND5) from the town of Pembina?

Pembina County Airport sits about 12.5 miles (19.1 kilometers) south‑southwest of Pembina, a drive of roughly 20 minutes via ND‑5 and County Road 15 under normal weather conditions.

Which airports in Pembina County offer both avgas and Jet‑A fuel services?

Pembina County Airport (7ND5) provides 100LL avgas through a self‑serve pump and can arrange Jet‑A fuel deliveries on request. Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5) does not have permanent fuel facilities, but a mobile fuel service visits twice a month to supply 100LL avgas.

Are there any flight training schools located at an airport in Pembina County?

Yes. Prairie Sky Flight Academy operates out of Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5), offering private pilot, instrument rating, and seasonal aerial photography courses from a fleet that includes a Cessna 152 and a Piper PA‑28.

How many airports are listed in the Pembina County airport directory?

The Pembina County airport directory lists two public‑use airports: Pembina County Airport (7ND5) and Cavalier Municipal Airport (5U5). Both are classified as general aviation facilities by the FAA.