Airports / Kentucky / LOU
Bowman Field.
Louisville, Kentucky · 546 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
4.5/5
Google rating
225 ratings
1
Operators based
546
Elevation ft
Google rating
Google reviews
Based operators
FBOs on field
Field elevation
Field standing
5 nm
To the nearest alternate
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), 2 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Bowman Field (KLOU / LOU) sits in Louisville, Kentucky, where it functions as a mid-sized airport. The field lies at an elevation of 546 feet. The field has no airline schedules, which keeps it focused on private and general aviation flying.
Charter departments call it home: Central American Airways Flying Service, Inc bases aircraft at LOU. Useful alternates include Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF, 5 nm), Godman Army Air Field (FTK, 24 nm), and Blue Grass Airport (LEX, 51 nm). LOU offers 2 runways, the longest 4,358-foot paved runway, which supports charter types through the light jet class.
For arrival logistics and seasonal timing, see the Louisville, KY destination guide. Use the cost estimator to model a trip from LOU, or browse verified operators serving the area.
1 FBO serves KLOU. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Louisville Executive Aviation
Your FBO? Claim it, free- Fuel
- Hangar
- 7am - 9pm, call to schedule after hours
- Unicom 129.85
- Executive lounge
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Vending
- Courtesy car
- Shuttle
- Car rental
- Hotel help
- +15 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
Field capability
ICAO
KLOU
IATA
LOU
FAA / Local
LOU
Elevation
546 ft
Coordinates
38.2280° N · 85.6637° W
Airspace
D · DeltaClass D, DeltaA control tower runs the immediate airspace. Pilots establish two-way radio contact before entering, typical for busy business-aviation fields.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
No
Elevation vs KY fields
state range 407–1,473 ft
At 546 ft, LOU sits lower than 82% of the 28 Kentucky fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 4,358 ft
- 06/244,358 ft × 75 ftAsphaltLighted
- 15/333,580 ft × 75 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 4,358 ft
LOU's 4,358 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to light jets.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Based charter operators1
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 5nmSDFLouisville Muhammad Ali International AirportLouisville
- 24nmFTKGodman Army Air FieldFort Knox
- 51nmLEXBlue Grass AirportLexington
- 63nmCLUColumbus Municipal AirportColumbus
- 68nmCVGCincinnati Northern Kentucky International AirportCincinnati / Covington
- 71nmBMGMonroe County AirportBloomington
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapKLOU · Bowman Field · Louisville, KY
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Bowman Field, tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from LOU on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville (BNA) | 135 nm | 43m |
| Chicago (ORD) | 248 nm | 59m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 387 nm | 1h 18m |
| New York (TEB) | 559 nm | 1h 42m |
| Dallas (DAL) | 634 nm | 1h 52m |
| Houston (HOU) | 703 nm | 2h 2m |
| Boston (BED) | 704 nm | 2h 2m |
| Palm Beach (PBI) | 748 nm | 2h 8m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use LOU?
- Bowman Field's longest paved runway is 4,358 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to light jets. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at LOU?
- Bowman Field has 2 runways; the longest measures 4,358 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at LOU?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Bowman Field as a home base, including Central American Airways Flying Service, Inc. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- Which FBOs are at Bowman Field?
- One FBO serves LOU: Louisville Executive Aviation. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to LOU?
- The closest alternate is Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), about 5 nm away, followed by Godman Army Air Field (FTK) at 24 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from LOU to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Chicago about 59m (248 nm), Washington DC about 1h 18m (387 nm), New York about 1h 42m (559 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.