Muncie Airport – Delaware County Regional Airport – KMIE – Muncie Aviation

Muncie Airport also known as Delaware County Airport, located in Indiana, has been our go to fuel stop on the way to EAA AirVenture for quite a few years.  The airport, KMIE, falls directly on our flight path and after a decade of stopping there, has become something of a tradition.

Muncie Airport is serviced by Muncie Aviation. You will find a good size field and a basic FBO with friendly prompt service.

Though, we discovered that the restaurant on the airport, Merk’s Family Dining, is permanently closed, so we are really sad and very hungry. 

We are in route to EAA AirVenture.  We love our annual trip to see all things aviation.  We load the family into our Seneca and off we go.  Our oldest is plotting which simulators to test and our youngest looking for the newest technology.

We review every airport we travel in and out of. We also will let you know what we are flying, single, twin, or turboprop. We think it is relevant because the service you receive and the fees can vary based on the general aviation airplane.

Delaware County Regional Airport / Muncie Airport

Muncie Airport is a regional airport offering fuel and maintenance services. Unfortunately, there is no longer a restaurant on this airport.

Runway at Delaware County Regional Airport / Muncie Airport

Condition

The runway is 14/32.  We land on 32 and travel about half the 6,500 foot runway to turn toward the FBO. The runway is light-colored concrete and has the typical thump, thump, thump, of riding over the expansion joints.  This runway has vertical approach slope indicator (VASI) lights.

There is a second runway, 3/21 that is 5,197 long by 100 wide. This runway has precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights.

They have ILS and RNAV approaches.

Hazards

There are no hazards on either end. The runway is clear and free of debris.

Controllers

The controllers are Indianapolis approach. I would love to say the service was amazing, as it has been in the past, but not this trip.  

The controller told us to let him know when we had the weather.  We have announced we have the weather twice before this and he responds by asking asking if we have the weather.  

We are told to expect the visual, but are held high until we are over the airport, then made to turn around to land.  No big deal, other than there was no other traffic, the weather was clear, and the wind was minimal.

Controlled or Uncontrolled Field

The tower is manned. The tower is prompt to respond, gives us directions without asking, and welcomes us to the airport.   

Leaving is a breeze and we take the air with a come back to see us.  

The tower is manned from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm. The tower frequency is 120.1.

Ramp at Muncie Airport

Condition

The ramp is large, open, smooth and free of debris.  

Security

The entire airport is fenced.  Entry and exit are through the locked gates.  You used to be able to walk through the restaurant to enter the ramp, but sadly the restaurant has closed.  

Parking

The ramp is large and there is plenty of parking.   Several planes are on the ramp and several more come in while we are there.  Every plane has plenty of space and more can park.

Chocks

There were no chocks visible on the ramp. 

Tie downs/Ropes

There are plenty of tie down spots on the ramp.   The holes were free of debris and ropes are available. 

Service at Muncie Aviation Company

Friendly

The line crew and the service desk personnel are the same.   The men were all very friendly and talkative.  Everyone greeted us with a smile. 

Helpful 

The line crew offers us fuel and restroom services before we ever get out of the plane.   I have some questions about the restaurant and they provide me all the information.  I ask about a cool plane on the ramp and they give me the story behind the plane.  

They double check the breaks are off before towing our plane from the pump to parking.   We appreciate the caution and the courtesy. 

Prompt

The line crew directs us as soon as we make the turn to Muncie Aviation.  Services are offered immediately. The fuel is pumped immediately.  Prompt and friendly service is consistent each year. 

Fuel at Delaware County Airport / Muncie Airport

Full Service or Self Service

Muncie Aviation offers full service and a fuel truck. There is a pump for Jet A and for hundred low lead (100LL). 

Ease of access 

The pumps are easy to pull up to and directly in front of Muncie Aviation.  If you do not want to pull up, they will bring truck to you.

Card reader/Payment processing 

The inside service was quick and easy. There was no outdoor credit processing.  

Condition of pumps 

The pumps are in good shape.   They have the ground wire, a step stool and ladder. Everything is modern.

Lighting  

There are no lights on the ramp, but the buildings have exterior lights.    

Facilities at Muncie Aviation Company

Clean 

The facilities are clean and well cared for.   The facilities are basic but there are no dust bunnies, no clutter, and no odor.

Accessible 

The entrance is easily identified. The walk from the pumps to the plane is literally a few steps. The walk from the ramp is close unless you get stuck on the far end.  That would only happen if you park there by choice or a whole bunch of planes showed up. 

WiFi 

The guest Wi-Fi was crawling. When I say crawling, it is like watching paint dry. No password is required but it is so slow.

We mentioned how slow the internet is and an employee provided access to a much faster network and gave us the password.

Comfort 

The lobby is basic with standard waiting room chairs. If you are looking for a place to lounge, you will not find that option here. 

Flight Planning 

There is a basic area for flight planning with two desk areas, both with rolling office chairs.  One desk has a computer and printer in case you need them.

Ground Transportation at Delaware County Airport / Muncie Airport

Crew Cars

Muncie Aviation offers crew cars, well actually crew vans.  They have three caravans with their logo on the side.   Transportation was offered.  The vehicles are newer and the one I checked out was nice and clean.  

Rental Service

There are rental cars available in the area and one can be delivered to the airport for your use for a fee.

Uber at Delaware County Airport 

Uber immediately pops up with rides and food delivery.  Good thing they have food delivery since the restaurant has closed.

Lyft at Delaware County Airport

Lyft also has rides immediately available.

Transportation at Delaware County Airport

There are a few other options between taxis and car services.

Food at Delaware County Airport 

Restaurant/Delivery options

So there once was a restaurant called Merk’s.  We always loved stopping here.  They offered indoor and outdoor seating.  They also had great salads and were happy to change up things to meet my food allergy needs. They also had ice cream, which is my weakness.   

Sadly, the restaurant is closed. They survived Covid and were open for our trip to EAA Airventure in 2021. We checked before stopping last year. Since they were open last year, I did not check this year before planning our usual stop.

I will miss the bright pink, green and purple paint with the early eighties decor of Merk’s. The service was great and the people were always friendly.

Unfortunately, there are no other food options on the airport. Uber Eats reports that it delivers.

Vending Machines

There are no vending machines but there are snacks.

Free Snacks

There are no snacks available. None.

With no vending machines, no snacks, and no restaurant, do not plan on finding any food here.

Ice

There is no ice available.  

Coffee

There is coffee in pots ready to drink. There is also a fancy coffee machine to make flavored coffees. There are numerous flavors of coffee, sugar and powdered creamer.  Those of you that have read our other reviews know I love coffee but must pass if they only have powered creamer.

Water

There are cold bottles of water available.  They also have a small water machine that provides hot and cold water.

Bathrooms

Clean 

The restrooms are neat and well maintained.  Nothing stands out about them, which is probably a good thing.  

Spacious 

The restrooms are of average size and you are not cramped. 

Stocked 

Nothing special in the bathrooms. Just soap. Though I will say the water pressure is so strong that I splash water all over the counter and myself. Luckily, its just water. I wipe the counter down before I leave. The small water droplets on my shirt will dry.

Showers 

There are no showers.  Do not plan on making this a stop for refreshment.

Smell 

There is no obvious smell one way or another.

Fees at Muncie Airport and Muncie Aviation

Ramp

There were no charges for use of the ramp. We purchase fuel for our Seneca.

Hangars at Muncie Airport

There are shared hangar spaces transient planes. There are also T-hangars for rent, if they have any available.

Fuel

The fuel is average priced for the area and based on the current prices, which are a bit higher than past trips.  We always stop with at minimum of an hour of fuel to spare. So we needed the tanks filled and the tips topped.

Additional/Surprise fees

There were no additional fees. However, the surprise was not a good one. No restaurant. We learned a lesson. Call ahead and make sure the restaurant is open.  

Other Services

Maintenance 

There is some maintenance on the field. Muncie Airport provides air frame and power plant ( A&P) services. You can also find avionics services on the field.  

Pilot Store 

There is no pilot store. If you are in need of any basic pilot supplies you will not find them there.

However, they did have some old school motion sickness bags for sale.

Other 

This airport is good fuel stop on the way to anywhere. Just make sure you build in enough time for food delivery or a ride into town to get some food.

Anything really cool

We have not taken the time to explore Muncie. This is one of the few places we have never left the the airport. As this is the go to stop on the way to EAA Airventure, we have not built in any time to visit the city itself.   

If you visit

If you visit, let us know!  If something has changed since our trip, let us know.  If you have a different experience, we want to hear about it. If we need to go back and check out something else there.  Email us.

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