What's the Deal With the Airport in Chatham?

When driving on Main Street in West Chatham, you might have noticed the airport on George Ryder Road. The facility is small, operating with only two runways and a few parking spots, and its terminal building looks more like a plane hangar than somewhere to lounge before getting on a flight.

So, what is this airport, and why have you never caught a flight from West Chatham?

Well, this is Chatham Municipal Airport (CQX), and you can get flights to and from this terminal, just not on commercial airliners. In fact, an average of 55 aircraft operate here per day, so there's a significant amount of traffic for such a small operation.

Here's what you should know about Chatham Municipal Airport and how to get on a flight just outside of downtown Chatham, Massachusetts.

A Bird's Eye View of Cape Cod

The primary tenant at Chatham Municipal Airport is Stick 'n Rudder Aero Tours, a sightseeing company that takes you over various parts of the Cape, giving you views that you've never before experienced. 

All of these flights head over the Cape Cod National Seashore, and you'll have the opportunity to see Cape Cod Bay and Monomoy Island, depending on the option you choose. The pilot will also point out historic landmarks and other interesting features along the way.

Stick 'n Rudder operates two planes: a three-passenger Cessna C172 Skyhawk and a two-passenger Waco YMF5 Biplane, and the cost is dependent on the length of the flight and the aircraft that you select.

Flight Lessons

You can also sign up for flight lessons from Stick 'n Rudder, as they get you started on the journey to earning a pilot's certificate and flying yourself over Cape Cod.

The process starts with a phone call to Stick 'n Rudder, at which time they'll schedule an orientation and come up with an estimated cost for you.

From there, you'll go on an introductory ride, where you'll become more familiar with what it takes to operate a plane and schedule your first training session.

There are multiple training types available, as some students want to go on to become commercial pilots, while others just want to know the basics so they can become more comfortable flying in small planes with other pilots.

The choice is up to you, but all of your instruction can come at Chatham Airport.

Off-the-Cape Charters

You're probably wondering by now if Chatham Airport is just for tours and lessons.

The answer is no, but it's a little different from a commercial airport.

The gist is that you can't directly book a flight from CQX to another airport through an online travel agency. You can, however, take charter flights to and from the airport on a variety of smaller airlines.

Charter companies that will fly to Chatham include Skyline Flight, Hopscotch Air, Reliant Air, ImagineAir, PlaneSense, and LinearAir, and you can arrange for many of these airlines to pick you up in Chatham and drop you at another East Coast Airport. You can also book your return flight at the same time, making the charter process incredibly convenient.

You'll have to contact the charter companies directly to arrange your flights, but it's nice to know that you can fly straight from Chatham, Massachusetts, to other parts of the country without much hassle.

Inside the Terminal

There isn't much to this terminal, as there's a set of doors you can go through to get to the Stick ‘n Rudder offices. The Stick ‘n Rudder shop is also there, where they provide maintenance services for small plane owners.

On the other side of the terminal building, you'll find a restaurant called Hangar B Eatery, which is open for breakfast and lunch.

The restaurant is surprisingly popular, given its obscure location, as locals love to enjoy a meal while watching a few small planes take off and land.

Hangar B is open year-round, seven days per week in the summer and on weekends in the winter months. The restaurant has a covered patio and a small yard with picnic tables, too, should you want to spend a bit of time outdoors while enjoying your meal.

The Mystery is Solved

A surprising number of residents have no idea what goes on at Chatham Municipal Airport, but now you know exactly how the facility works.

If you're interested in taking a flight over the Cape and seeing the area from an entirely new perspective, this is the place to begin your journey.

Likewise, if you're a frequent business traveler looking to save some time or a prospective pilot seeking a place to learn, this airport is one of your better options on Cape Cod.