Why was a 738 departing from KSTC?
 

This morning, as I was walking from my dorm to the Cafeteria on campus at St. Cloud State University, I heard at first the sound of a very loud jet and then I looked to the east, which is in the direction of the airport, I didn't see anything at first. I kept looking and then I saw a 737-800 fly really low over the college as it was turning towards the southwest and climbing. It had Winglets on it and it was painted mostly white, except for some paint here and there on it. Man did it look quite low as it was climbing. This was at about 7:30 am this morning. My big question is, why was there a 737-800 departing from KSTC, as there is no scheduled 737 services into St. Cloud. Also, the runways at St. Cloud are a bit short to allow for long-distance flights. I thought maybe it was a BBJ or something....

It's not really an appropriate question for Communitybuzz, so I'll move it right over (with fingers crossed it's going into the right place, but Wiki says Mid-west ;)) into the Mid West Destinations forum.

Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!

According to flight stats and flightaware, it was headed to IFP-Laughlin Bullhead Intl, Bullhead City, AZ

It's operated by Sun County...I guess that doesn't really give you any info about why, but more background details...good job spotting the fact that it was a 738 from the ground!

I could tell right away. It flew over the campus very, very low. Saint Cloud State University is to the North and west of KSTC by about 2 or 3 miles, which meant it departed off of rwy 31. I was walking and suddenly heard a loud roar/whine to the southwest and then looked up and saw a 737 come screaming by very low and turning. I could tell it was a 738 right away by the winglets and by its profile. The first thing i was thinking was,, thats not normal, KSTC doesnt get commerical service any bigger that Saab 340's or Small Business Jets.. fyi...KSTC has a bit of a short rwy for a 738 don't you think? Probably had to use the entire length. Also, the airline terminal at KSTC by no means could properly process that many people. There are also no airbridges or Airstairs Trucks. Does the 738 have below door 1L a retractable Airstair?


http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0802/05799AD.PDF

Runway 13/31
Dimensions: 7000 x 150 ft. / 2134 x 46 m
Surface: concrete/grooved, in good condition
Weight bearing capacity: Single wheel: 75.0
Double wheel: 175.0
Double tandem: 280.0

Runway edge lights: high intensity
Operational restrictions: RWY 13/31 200 FT BLAST PAD EACH END.
RUNWAY 13 RUNWAY 31
Latitude: 45-33.236297N 45-32.407753N
Longitude: 094-04.160205W 094-03.021442W
Elevation: 1030.5 ft. 1016.5 ft.
Gradient: 0.1% 0.1%
Traffic pattern: left left
Runway heading: 133 magnetic, 136 true 313 magnetic, 316 true
Markings: precision, in good condition precision, in good condition
Visual slope indicator: 4-light PAPI on right 4-light PAPI on left
Approach lights: MALSR: 1,400 foot medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights MALSR: 1,400 foot medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights
Runway end identifier lights: no
Touchdown point: yes, no lights yes, no lights
Instrument approach: ILS ILS

Runway 5/23
Dimensions: 3000 x 75 ft. / 914 x 23 m
Surface: asphalt/porous friction courses, in fair condition
Weight bearing capacity: Single wheel: 50.0
Double wheel: 75.0

Runway edge lights: medium intensity
Operational restrictions: RWY 5/23 NOT AVAILABLE FOR AIR CARRIER OPERATIONS UTILIZING AIRCRAFT WITH MORE THAN 9 PASSENGER SEATS.
RUNWAY 5 RUNWAY 23
Latitude: 45-32.600198N 45-32.852392N
Longitude: 094-03.899090W 094-03.295327W
Elevation: 1021.1 ft. 1022.0 ft.
Gradient: 0.1% 0.1%
Traffic pattern: left left
Runway heading: 056 magnetic, 059 true 236 magnetic, 239 true
Markings: basic, in good condition basic, in good condition
Touchdown point: yes, no lights yes, no lights
Obstructions: 55 ft. tree, 1901 ft. from runway, 224 ft. right of centerline, 30:1 slope to clear 59 ft. trees, 1926 ft. from runway, 393 ft. left of centerline, 29:1 slope to clear

Hello
 

Upon Further research, after it arrived in Laughlin/Bullhead Intl, it then flew to Dane Co Rgnl(KMSN) in Wisconsin, and then back to Minneapolis.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/S...331Z/KIFP/KMSN

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/S...339Z/KMSN/KMSP


Hmmm... Really getting around? Is this a normal flight or some kind of charter? According to their website. A return flight from Laughlin/Bullhead Intl is going to be operated on this Friday and then next Thursday there will be one RT operated to/from St. Cloud. It also looks that way into March.. about one departure and then later on in the week or the next week a return to ST. Cloud operating and then same day a return to Laughlin/Bullhead Intl.. Hm whats this for?

I know Madison sometimes has a charter flight to Laughlin, probably doing the same from St. Cloud. Flies pax from STC to Laughlin. Picks up MSN pax that left earlier back to MSN.

Rfd
 

I'm wondering if they may think about JAC also or else Allegiant as the RFD website had a poll about whether u would like to see service to 2 more destinations, one being JAC(don't remember 2nd one) . It would be seasonal.