2/ 5 reviews
FBO & ground handling
“✈️ Another big plus is the fuel prices—they’re very reasonable compared to many other places, which is always appreciated.”
Samuel Richardson5★ on Google
Airports / Montana / SBX
Small airport · SBX
Shelby Airport.
Shelby, Montana · 3,443 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.3/5
Google rating
6 ratings
0
Operators based
3,443
Elevation ft
Shelby, MontanaELEV 3,443 FTSmall airport
4.3
Google rating
6
Google reviews
ratings on Google
3,443
Field elevation
feet above sea level
21
Nearest alternate
nm to CTB
Field standing
21 nm
To the nearest alternate
Cut Bank International Airport (CTB).
Overview
Located in Shelby, Montana, Shelby Airport (KSBX / SBX) operates as a general aviation field. The field lies at an elevation of 3,443 feet. The field has no airline schedules, which keeps it focused on private and general aviation flying.
SBX has no resident charter fleet; trips here are typically flown by operators repositioning from surrounding airports. Useful alternates include Cut Bank International Airport (CTB, 21 nm), Great Falls International Airport (GTF, 67 nm), and Lethbridge County Airport (YQL, 75 nm). SBX offers 2 runways, the longest 5,005-foot paved runway, which supports charter types through the super-midsize jet class.
Quotes for flights out of SBX vary with aircraft type, repositioning, and schedule flexibility. Use the cost estimator to model a trip from SBX, or browse verified operators serving the area.
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What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
2/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“The airport itself is well maintained and kept clean, which is something that really stands out.”
Samuel Richardson5★ on Google
2/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“The combination of friendly service and a well-run airport makes it a place you’ll be happy to visit again.”
Samuel Richardson5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Shelby Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KSBX
IATA
SBX
FAA / Local
SBX
Elevation
3,443 ft
Coordinates
48.5407° N · 111.8710° W
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Small
Scheduled svc
No
Elevation vs MT fields
state range 1,985–6,649 ft
At 3,443 ft, SBX sits lower than 55% of the 31 Montana fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 5,005 ft
- 05/235,005 ft × 75 ftAsphaltLighted
- 11/293,701 ft × 60 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 5,005 ft
SBX's 5,005 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to super-midsize 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.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 21nmCTBCut Bank International AirportCut Bank
- 67nmGTFGreat Falls International AirportGreat Falls
- 75nmYQLLethbridge County AirportLethbridge
- 84nmHVRHavre City County AirportHavre
- 96nmFCAGlacier Park International AirportKalispell
- 100nmYXHMedicine Hat Regional AirportMedicine Hat
Location
Open the full mapKSBX · Shelby Airport · Shelby, MT
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from SBX on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 300 nm | 1h 6m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 424 nm | 1h 23m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 465 nm | 1h 29m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 575 nm | 1h 44m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 600 nm | 1h 48m |
| Denver (DEN) | 606 nm | 1h 49m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 762 nm | 2h 10m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 800 nm | 2h 16m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use SBX?
- Shelby Airport's longest paved runway is 5,005 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to super-midsize 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 SBX?
- Shelby Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 5,005 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to SBX?
- The closest alternate is Cut Bank International Airport (CTB), about 21 nm away, followed by Great Falls International Airport (GTF) at 67 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from SBX to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Jackson Hole about 1h 6m (300 nm), Seattle about 1h 23m (424 nm), Salt Lake City about 1h 29m (465 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.