Local General Aviation Airport Supports Business Travel and Emergency Services

Thompson Robbins Airport, FAA identifier KHEE, functions as the public general aviation gateway for Helena West Helena and Phillips County. The field sits roughly five miles northwest of the central business district and at an elevation of about 242 feet. Published facility details note runway lighting and a precision approach path indicator, and the airport’s profile lists CTAF and UNICOM communications and pattern altitude information for arriving and departing aircraft.

Those operational features make the airport a practical asset for a range of local needs. Runway lighting and approach guidance improve safety for business charters and medical flights arriving after daylight hours. Clear radio procedures and pattern altitude guidance reduce the risk of traffic conflicts for private pilots and flight instruction. For economic development, the airport’s readiness can shorten travel times for visiting executives and clients, and it supports aerial work such as agricultural spraying and infrastructure inspection that are important to the county economy.

Transportation planners and local officials use the FAA effective data that appear on the airport profile when evaluating regional connectivity and emergency response routing. The AirNav profile for KHEE includes runway dimensions and surface information, communication frequencies, and other pilot and operational details that are useful for updated planning and for business visitors arranging flights. Pilots and operators should consult FAA and AirNav pages for current NOTAMs and operational notices before flight operations to confirm temporary closures, lighting status, or other time sensitive changes.

Maintaining and promoting reliable small airport infrastructure can have long term implications for Phillips County. Consistent operational data and basic navigational aids make the field more attractive for business travel and emergency services, which in turn supports local jobs and investment. Local leaders planning economic development or emergency preparedness should factor Thompson Robbins Airport into transport and land use decisions to preserve these community benefits.