Pierce County Airport - Thun Field (PLU)

About the Airport


Our mission is to provide proactive, customer-focused service with integrity, reliability and timeliness.

Located in central Pierce County, five miles from downtown Puyallup and the Washington State Fairgrounds, Pierce County Airport-Thun Field functions as a key community transportation and emergency services facility.

The airport is home to popular community events, as well as a variety of businesses including two fixed base operators, the Top Gun Bar & Grill, and the SIM Flight Center, which offers the county’s only full motion flight simulator open to the public. 

With Mount Rainier only 25 miles to the southeast, Thun Field offers spectacular scenery from both the ground and the air. Pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike appreciate the location, the facilities, and the beautiful views of Thun Field.

2021 Airport Master Plan

The Master Plan serves as a 20-year improvement plan for the airport and identifies long-term needs for facilities, equipment, and services to position Thun Field to accommodate community growth.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/Seattle ADO approved the Airport Layout Plan for Thun Field on June 9, 2021, making Thun Field’s facility improvement plan eligible for FAA grant funding.

Resolution No. R2023-70 by the Pierce County Council on June 6, 2023.

The Master Plan focuses on these areas:

  • Positioning the airport to meet community growth and interests
  • Accommodate existing and future aviation demands as envisioned by Pierce County
  • Align recommendations with Pierce County revenue and return benefit
  • Meet FAA safety standards and grant assurances

PLU Master Plan

PLU Yellow Plane - Mt Rainier

Information Center

2021 Master Plan

Contact

We are available Sunday - Thursday from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone 
(253) 798-3779

Billing 
(253) 798-3102

Airport Manager 
(253) 798-8551

After Hours Emergency 
(253) 798-6000

PLU AWOS
(253) 848-2748

Join Airport Mailing List

Noise Complaint Hotline

253-798-8806

Report Noise

Capabilities

The runway at Thun Field, measuring 3,650 feet long by 60 feet wide, is capable of handling all general aviation aircraft, from light sport to small business jets. Available aviation support and airport services include:

  • Aircraft repair and maintenance
  • Aircraft storage and parking
  • Aviation fuel and oil sales
  • Avionics repair
  • Charter and business flights
  • Flight supplies and equipment
  • Flight training

Pierce County has been focusing on maintenance at the airport, and new hangar space will be coming soon.

Creating Opportunity

The goal of the PLU Masterplan is to provide a strategic framework for airport improvements that will create opportunities for economic development and capitalize on current airport infrastructure assets.

Funding

Key activities and improvements called out for implementation as part the PLU Masterplan are be funded through a series of grants from the FAA, Pierce County and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Funded improvements are dependent on all partners providing funding.