Bowman Field (KLOU)
Medium airport · Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Airport data
| Name | Bowman Field |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KLOU |
| IATA | LOU |
| Elevation | 546 ft (166 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°13'41" W 85°39'49" 38.22800, -85.66370 |
| Location | Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 4,358 ft (1328 m) | 75 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 15/33 | 3,580 ft (1091 m) | 75 ft | ASPH-G | Yes |
Bowman Field at a glance
Bowman Field is a medium airport in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, known to airline systems as LOU. The field elevation of 546 ft (166 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KLOU are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 06/24 — offers 4,358 ft (1328 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KLOU shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Bowman Field
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport | KSDF | 9 km (5 NM) |
| Godman Army Air Field | KFTK | 45 km (24 NM) |
| Blue Grass Airport | KLEX | 95 km (51 NM) |
| Columbus Municipal Airport | KBAK | 117 km (63 NM) |
| Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport | KCVG | 126 km (68 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Bowman Field
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 546 ft field elevation of Bowman Field can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Bowman Field
What is the ICAO code of Bowman Field?
The ICAO identifier of Bowman Field is KLOU, and its IATA code is LOU. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Bowman Field above sea level?
Bowman Field sits at an elevation of 546 feet (166 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Bowman Field located?
The airport lies at 38.2280, -85.6637 — in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, about 9 km away.
Does KLOU publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KLOU appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Bowman Field?
Bowman Field has 2 runways. The longest, 06/24, measures 4,358 ft (1328 m) with a ASP surface.