Airports / Iowa / MCW
Mason City Municipal Airport.
Mason City, Iowa · 1,213 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.4/5
Google rating
90 ratings
0
Operators based
1,213
Elevation ft
Google rating
Google reviews
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
32 nm
To the nearest alternate
Northeast Iowa Regional Airport (CCY).
Overview
Mason City Municipal Airport (KMCW / MCW) is a mid-sized airport serving Mason City, Iowa. The airport sits 1,213 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
No charter operator is headquartered on the field, but operators routinely position aircraft into MCW for departures. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Northeast Iowa Regional Airport (CCY, 32 nm), Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD, 53 nm), and Waterloo Regional Airport (ALO, 55 nm). With 2 runways, the longest 6,501-foot paved runway, MCW can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from MCW depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Mason City.
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Field capability
ICAO
KMCW
IATA
MCW
FAA / Local
MCW
Elevation
1,213 ft
Coordinates
43.1598° N · 93.3297° W
Airspace
E · EchoClass E, EchoControlled airspace reaches the surface for instrument approaches, but there is no control tower on the field.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs IA fields
state range 547–1,488 ft
At 1,213 ft, MCW sits higher than 73% of the 60 Iowa fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 6,501 ft
- 18/366,501 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
- 12/305,502 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 6,501 ft
MCW's 6,501 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- 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.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 32nmCCYNortheast Iowa Regional AirportCharles City
- 53nmFODFort Dodge Regional AirportFort Dodge
- 55nmALOWaterloo Regional AirportWaterloo
- 58nmRSTRochester International AirportRochester
- 99nmDSMDes Moines International AirportDes Moines
- 100nmLSELa Crosse Regional AirportLa Crosse
Location
Open the full mapKMCW · Mason City Municipal Airport · Mason City, IA
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from MCW on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago (ORD) | 250 nm | 59m |
| Nashville (BNA) | 522 nm | 1h 37m |
| Denver (DEN) | 547 nm | 1h 40m |
| Dallas (DAL) | 641 nm | 1h 53m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 646 nm | 1h 54m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 655 nm | 1h 55m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 759 nm | 2h 10m |
| Washington DC (IAD) | 761 nm | 2h 10m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use MCW?
- Mason City Municipal Airport's longest paved runway is 6,501 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. 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 MCW?
- Mason City Municipal Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 6,501 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to MCW?
- The closest alternate is Northeast Iowa Regional Airport (CCY), about 32 nm away, followed by Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD) at 53 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from MCW to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Chicago about 59m (250 nm), Nashville about 1h 37m (522 nm), Denver about 1h 40m (547 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.