Bowman Field Community Dashboard

Thank you for stopping by the Bowman Field Community Dashboard. Whether you’re a nearby resident, airport neighbor, pilot or visitor, this page is designed to help you stay informed about airport operations, community events and resources.

Established in 1919, Bowman Field is Louisville’s original hometown airport. As one of the nation’s longest continuously operating general aviation airports, it serves thousands of aircraft operations each year—from flight training and business aviation to medical flights, public safety operations, and charitable flying. As the region’s designated reliever airport for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), Bowman Field helps keep smaller aircraft separated from commercial airline traffic, improving the efficiency and safety of the region’s entire aviation system.

Beyond aviation, Bowman Field contributes to our local community by supporting more than 1,000 jobs, generating approximately $166 million in annual economic impact including $7.2 million in state and local tax revenue while serving as a training ground for the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals.

Looking for more information? Click here to learn more about the airport’s history, hosting special events, airport services, t-hangar rentals and other resources.

All Aircraft Operations

Aircraft activity at Bowman Field varies from year to year based on factors such as weather, economic conditions and overall demand for general aviation. Although activity has recovered from the decline experienced during the mid-2000s, today’s operation levels remain below the airport’s historic peak.

In 2025, Bowman Field recorded 139,659 total aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings).

Historic comparison:

  • 1998: 161,172 – Highest on record
  • 1997: 156,867
  • 1990: 154,466
  • 2025: 139,659

As one of the nation’s longest continuously operating general aviation airports, Bowman Field continues to support a wide variety of aviation activities, including flight training, business aviation, emergency medical transport, law enforcement, charitable aviation, military operations and recreational flying.

Listed below are this year’s monthly aircraft operations:

  • January 2026: 9,644
  • February 2026: 10,199
  • March 2026: 8,784
  • April 2026: 10,870
  • May 2026: 11,671
  • June 2026: 14,326

This information is available in the Airport Authority’s monthly Aviation Statistics Report

Helicopter Operations

Bowman Field serves as an important base for helicopter operations that support emergency medical transportation, public safety, news media, military operations and other aviation activities throughout the Louisville region.

To better understand helicopter activity and identify opportunities to reduce community impacts, the Airport Authority partnered with HMMH, a nationally recognized aviation noise and environmental consulting firm, to analyze helicopter operations at Bowman Field during 2024 and 2025.

The analysis found that approximately 80% of helicopter operations supported emergency medical transportation including Norton Healthcare’s Just for Kids team or law enforcement missions with the Louisville Metro Police Department. Most of the remaining operations were associated with news media, military aircraft or helicopters transiting the area.

Based on the findings of the study, the Airport Authority worked with the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower and local helicopter operators to develop recommended helicopter routes intended to reduce noise over residential areas whenever it can be accomplished safely. These routes encourage helicopters to gain altitude over less populated areas, such as nearby golf courses and utilize major interstate corridors when practical.

While the Airport Authority cannot require pilots to use specific routes, it works collaboratively with the FAA and helicopter operators to encourage procedures that balance safety with consideration for the surrounding community.

Safety, weather conditions, air traffic control instructions and the nature of a particular mission may require pilots to deviate from these recommended routes. However, operators are encouraged to use them whenever conditions safely allow.

Noise Concerns

The Airport Authority recognizes that aircraft noise can be disruptive, and neighbors may have concerns about it. Noise is simply unwanted sound, and for those living near an airport, it’s an unavoidable part of aviation. Aircraft noise comes primarily from engines—loudest during takeoff and just behind the aircraft—as well as from airflow moving over the fuselage and wings.

How noise is experienced varies from person to person and depends on factors like altitude, distance from the aircraft and weather conditions. Airport Authority staff understands that annoyance is subjective, and what feels manageable to one neighbor may feel genuinely disruptive to another. Those who have any type of concern are encouraged to contact the Airport Authority’s Noise Office for further follow-up. Concerns shared with the Noise Office will receive acknowledgement within one business day.

Noise Office
(502) 363-8516
Noise@FlyLouisville.com

Submit a concern online here through the Flight Tracking and Concern Portal. To submit your concern, simply click the envelope icon on the left and follow the steps.

Note: Because the Airport Authority owns and manages both Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU) users may see reference to SDF in the Flight Tracking and Concern Portal. Please include your address when submitting your concern so it’s clearly noted for Bowman Field.

Who is Responsible for Airport Operations?

Who is Responsible for Airport Operations?

Many aspects of aviation are managed by different organizations. Understanding each agency’s role helps explain how decisions about aircraft operations are made.

Louisville Regional Airport Authority

The Louisville Regional Airport Authority owns and operates Bowman Field and is responsible for:

  • Maintaining runways, taxiways, buildings and airport property.
  • Managing construction and infrastructure improvements.
  • Airport safety, security and regulatory compliance.
  • Supporting airport businesses, tenants and community engagement.
  • Financial management of airport facilities.

The Airport Authority does not control where aircraft fly, assign flight paths or restrict aircraft that are permitted to use Bowman Field.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates the nation’s airspace and oversees the safe operation of aircraft.

At Bowman Field, the FAA owns and operates the Air Traffic Control Tower, whose controllers are responsible for:

  • Providing air traffic control services to aircraft arriving at and departing from Bowman Field.
  • Managing aircraft movements on the runways and movement areas.
  • Sequencing aircraft to maintain safe and orderly traffic flow.
  • Coordinating with surrounding air traffic control facilities as needed.

Beyond Bowman Field, the FAA is also responsible for:

  • Establishing and protecting airspace and instrument flight procedures.
  • Developing and publishing aviation regulations and operating standards.
  • Managing the National Airspace System.

Aircraft routing and operational decisions are ultimately governed by FAA regulations and pilot safety responsibilities.

Bowman Field Community Questions

How many aircraft are based at Bowman Field?

There are 285 aircraft based at Bowman Field.

How many flights are there at Bowman Field each day?

The daily flight average varies greatly based on a number of factors such as the time of year, day of the week and weather conditions. In 2025, the total number of aircraft operations for the year was 139,659, meaning there were several hundred flights each day.

Why do planes fly over my house?


There are two airports that call Louisville home including the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU). The FAA manages the nation’s airspace including in the Louisville-area, which means flights for both airplanes and helicopters could occur over all areas. Flight operations are most frequent near airports and their flight paths.

What factors affect aircraft noise?

Aircraft noise can be impacted by a number of factors including:

  • Weather: Clouds and thermal layers can amplify sound.
  • Storms: Aircraft may divert from normal routes.
  • Airspace Limits: Nearby airports constrain flight paths.
  • Emergencies: May require unusual routes 
or extra approaches.
  • Aircraft Weight: Heavier planes climb slower, keeping noise closer to the ground.

Who do I contact about low-flying airplanes or helicopters above my house?

The Louisville Regional Airport Authority has a dedicated Noise Office to investigate any concerns about loud or low-flying aircraft, whether it be an airplane or helicopter. Contact the Noise Officer directly at (502) 363-8516 or Noise@FlyLouisville.com, or submit a concern online. Any concerns shared with the Noise Office will receive acknowledgement within one business day.  While airport staff will follow-up on any concern, it is helpful to have as many details as possible to assist in this process. Please provide as much information as possible when submitting a concern including:

  • Location (your address)
  • Date
  • Approximate time
  • Aircraft type (airplane or helicopter along with any colors or markings you see on the aircraft as well as its tail number that starts with the letter N)
  • Frequency (one time incident or repeatedly flying low or noise concerns)

Can you restrict when aircraft takeoff and land at Bowman Field?

As a public-use airport, the Airport Authority cannot legally limit or restrict when or how frequently aircraft can takeoff or land at Bowman Field. Aircraft are permitted to use the airport at anytime during the day or night.

Why are there so many helicopters at Bowman Field?

Bowman Field has eight helicopters that are based at the airport including the life saving medical transport Norton Healthcare’s Just for Kids team and the Louisville Metro Police Department, which account for 80% of all helicopter operations at Bowman Field.

Is there a curfew on flight training or "touch-and-go" practice landings?

Bowman Field is home to several flight training schools that are preparing future pilots. Flight training and proficiency operations (sometimes referred to as “touch-and-gos”) are not permitted between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Outside of these hours, pilots and their aircraft must follow the correct protocols and instruction from the FAA’s Air Traffic Controllers. Bowman Field staff have regular conversations with the operators of the flight training schools and appreciate the awareness of any continuous concerns to be included in these discussions.

If there are concerns about the flight training activity including repeated “touch-and-gos,” please submit a concern online or contact the Noise Office at (502) 363-8516 or Noise@FlyLouisville.com for follow-up. Any concerns shared with the Noise Office will receive acknowledgement within one business day.

Will larger commerical cargo or passenger jets start using Bowman Field?

The short answer is no. Bowman Field’s runway lengths and aircraft weight restrictions simply cannot accommodate the larger jets that operate out of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). The Airport Authority is committed to preserving the current operational capabilities of Bowman Field and do not intend to have “bigger” aircraft operating there.

Upcoming Special Events

 

Saturday, August 8, 2026 – Mayorthon Race Series: Race the Runway 5.02K
Click here to learn more or sign-up for the race.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 – Girls in Aviation Day presented by the Bluegrass Chapter of Women in Aviation International
Click here to learn more.

Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026 – BowmanFest
Click here to learn more.

Bowman Field Staff Contacts

Jorgie Dermody

Director of Bowman Field
(502) 243-7305
Jorgie.Dermody@FlyLouisville.com

Adam Thomas

Vice President of Properties and Concessions
(502) 363-8508
Adam.Thomas@FlyLouisville.com

Josh Wiehebrink

Bowman Field Maintenance Manager
(502) 458-1475
Joshua.Wiehebrink@FlyLouisville.com

Noise Concerns

LRAA Noise Office
(502) 363-8516
Noise@FlyLouisville.com

To submit a concern online via the Flight Tracking and Concern Portal, click here

Any noise concern submitted will receive an acknowledgement within one business day.