Spotlight on FAA Fargo Air Traffic Control Tower
FAR ATCT/TRACON is a Combined Tower and TRACON located at Hector International Airport. FAR ATCT/TRACON provides air traffic services, 24 hours per day, from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL within a 40-mile radius of Fargo.  FAR ATCT/TRACON is staffed with 22 employees including Certified Professional Controllers, Operations Supervisors, and Support Staff.

FAR ATCT/TRACON provides two functions at Hector International Airport. The Airport Traffic Control Tower monitors all aircraft taxiing, taking off, and landing. The TRACON monitors aircraft in the departure, descent, and approach phases of flight at Hector International Airport and the surrounding airports within 40 miles. FAR ATCT/TRACON averages nearly 500 operations a day.

FAR ATCT/TRACON was recently upgraded to a Level 7 facility which indicates the difficulty and complexity of air traffic control work.  The level of difficulty and complexity of air traffic control work is influenced by such factors as the varying mix in speed and performance characteristics of aircraft using the airport, airport configuration, and military operations to name a few. Facility levels range from 3-12 with Minneapolis Tower currently at 11, Sioux Falls at 6, and Duluth at 5 for comparison to Fargo operations.

Because of the serious nature of this work and zero margin for error, the training regimen and proficiencies needed to become an air traffic control specialist are demanding. Entry-level applicants must complete required training courses at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and gain on-the-job experience before becoming Certified Professional Controllers. FAR ATCT/TRACON’s on-the-job training averages 1 ½ years to progress through the Tower and TRACON to Certified Professional Controller.

Former Airport Authority member Maj. Gen. A.P. Macdonald receives recognition. 

Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, N.D. National Guard adjutant general presented retired Maj. Gen. Alexander P. Macdonald a plaque recognizing his efforts in establishing the N.D. Veterans Cemetery, at the 30th anniversary observance on August 31, 2022.

“Of all of the people involved in conceiving, developing and building this magnificent cemetery, no one has been more instrumental than Maj. Gen. Alexander P. Macdonald. When he was adjutant general, his vision and leadership was the driving force in creating one of the most premier Veterans cemeteries in the nation,” said Dohrmann.

Hooligans Named Most Outstanding Air National Guard Flying Unit
The N.D. Air National Guard’s 119th Wing, nicknamed the Happy Hooligans, received recognition as the top flying wing in the National Guard with the presentation of the Spaatz Trophy at the 2022 National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) annual conference, in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 27, 2022. This the second time the 119th Wing won this prestigious award which is presented annually.

Selection for the Spaatz Trophy is based on overall combat readiness and the unit’s performance with respect to all other Air National Guard flying units. Factors included in the evaluation are mission execution, safety and accident prevention, aircraft maintenance scheduling and effectiveness, unit manning and retention, resource utilization, inspection ratings, outstanding accomplishments, and exercise involvement.

Happy Hooligans Named Top Flying Squadron
The 178^th Attack Squadron, of the North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG), was recently recognized with the General Atomics Remotely Piloted Aircraft Trophy for 2021.

The 178^th is the first Air National Guard (ANG) unit to earn this prestigious award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) squadron in the U.S. Air Force. However, this is not the first time the Happy Hooligans have been recognized as the best U.S. Air Force squadron in their primary flying mission.

The Hooligans were similarly recognized in 2009 when the 177th Airlift Squadron received the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center (JOSAC) Squadron of the Year award in the U.S. Air Force small aircraft category, while operating the C-21 Lear Jet.

TSA Precheck enrollment event Sept 26-30

Hector International Airport hosted a TSA PreCheck® enrollment event on Sept 26-30, 2022. There were 353 individuals who enrolled.

TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and more efficient screening experience. For TSA PreCheck® travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear or belts. Today, TSA PreCheck® has more than 450 lanes at 200+ U.S. airports.

Terminal Expansion Public Open House

The Municipal Airport Authority hosted a public open house on September 27, 2022 to present conceptual drawings for a 75,000 square foot terminal expansion project. The public learned about the airport’s ongoing Terminal Area Study which was initiated in January 2022 by Mead & Hunt to define a preferred alternative that will provide a functional and financially feasible terminal concept that expands the existing terminal to keep up with the growing passenger demand.

The layout presented at the public open house (pictured above) was the preferred alternative among three options studied. The expansion will add four gates as well as more departure lounge space and accommodations for travelers who have cleared security, among other features. The new gates will have more space to accommodate the larger planes airlines are flying as they phase out smaller, older aircraft to increase efficiency.

More space will be available in the ticketing area to better handle passengers checking in, as well as an expanded baggage area. The new design also will have space for self-serve kiosks allowing passengers to check in. The departure lounge will expand significantly, including two concession areas for passengers who have cleared security, a mothers’ nursing station and family restrooms. Additional space also will allow a fourth security checkpoint. Construction of the terminal expansion is planned to begin in the spring of 2024 and will take 3-4 years to complete. The cost of the 75,000 square foot expansion is $123 million. Financing for the terminal expansion will come from federal grants and passenger fees.

Stay up-to-date on the terminal project at https://www.fargoairport.com/airport-authority/terminal-expansion/

Q3 Boarding Statistics
While there was a decrease in July due to reduced airline schedules, Hector International Airport anticipates passenger travel will continue to increase and exceed expectations.

July 2022
Hector International Airport’s airline passenger traffic in July showed a decrease when compared to the same month in 2021. In July 2022, the passenger enplanements were 39,734. This is a decrease of -7% when compared to the July 2021 passenger enplanements of 42,871.

The total passenger count for the month was 78,596, which is down 8% over the same period last year.

There were 520 (610 in 2021) air carrier departures with an average of 86 seats per flight in July and an average of 2,535. total daily passengers. In 2021, there were 51,015 actual seats departing Fargo and in 2022, there were 45,538. The load factor for the month was 88% which is a near record.

The decreases in the number of flights are largely attributed to reduced airline schedules due to nationwide flight crew shortages.

August 2022
Hector International Airport’s airline passenger traffic in August showed an increase when compared to the same month in 2021. In August 2022, the passenger enplanements were 38,683. This is an increase of 2% when compared to the August 2021 passenger enplanements of 38,082.

The total passenger count for the month was 77,346, which is up 2% over the same period last year.

There were 532 air carrier departures with an average of 83 seats per flight in August and an average of 2,495. total daily passengers. The load factor for the month was again 88% which is a near record.

September 2022 (Record Month)
Hector International Airport set a record for September airline passenger traffic. In September 2022, the passenger enplanements were 35,360. This is an increase of 8% when compared to the September 2021 passenger enplanements of 32,665. Compared to the previous record September back in 2019, enplanements were up 3.6%.

The total passenger count for the month was 70,122, which is up 6% over the same period last year.

There were 514 air carrier departures with an average of 80 seats per flight in September and an average of 2,337 total daily passengers.