Coles County Memorial Airport

Coles County Memorial Airport is a public use airport between Mattoon and Charleston in Coles County, Illinois. Owned by the Coles County Airport Authority, it is five miles east of Mattoon and six miles west of Charleston. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 called it a general aviation facility.

The airport hosts an air show featuring aerial performances and static display as well as helicopter and monster truck rides. The show is free but accepts donations from visitors.

The airport has a close relationship with the Civil Air Patrol. It helps students learn how to fly through a relationship with the johnson Flight Academy.

History
Airline flights on Ozark DC-3s started in 1955; Ozark left in 1980. American Eagle flew from Coles County to Chicago's O'Hare until 1991. Midway Connections also flew to Midway International in Chicago. Airline service ended in 2000 when Great Lakes Airlines, which operated flights to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport through the Purdue University Airport, left the airport. The service was under the United Express name.

In 2023, the airport won the Frank G. Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award, which is given by the Civil Air Patrol to an airport that has made exceptional contribution to the advancement of youth through aerospace activities.

Facilities
The airport covers 1,225 acres (496 ha) at an elevation of 722 feet (220 m). It has three runways. Runway 11/29 measures 6,501 by 150 feet (1,982 x 46 m), is paved with grooved concrete, and has an ILS approach. Runway 6/24 measures 5,799 by 100 feet (1,768 x 30 m) and is paved with asphalt. Runway 18/36 measures 1,080 by 250 feet (329 x 76 m) and is turf.

The airport's runway, originally built in 1974, was completely re-paved in 2015. Though the runway was closed for nearly three months, preventing most aircraft from landing there – though helicopters and crop dusters were still able to use the airport.

Other facilities at the airport include:
 * VOR/DME (MTO): 109.40 MHz automated weather available on VOR
 * Fixed-base operator: Coles County Aviation
 * Airport Steakhouse Restaurant

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2022, the airport had 1,500 aircraft operations, an average of 4 per day. This included 89% general aviation, 9% air taxi, and 2% military. For the same time period, the airport had 31 based aircraft, including 25 single-engine airplanes, 3 helicopters, 2 jets, and 1 multi-engine airplane.

Ground transportation
While no public transit service is provided directly to the airport, Coles County Zipline provides service nearby.

Accidents & Incidents

 * On June 18, 2003, a Ercoupe 415-C that took off from Coles County experienced an off-airport landing while en route to Cooch Landing Area Airport in Atwood, Illinois. The probable cause was found to be the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area and his improper decision to continue the approach without the airport and runway clearly in sight.