When travelers think of Osage Beach, their minds often turn to winding waters, weekend traffic, and sun-drenched memories on the Strip. What might they not think of? The runway.
But ask Ty Dinsdale, City of Osage Beach Airports Manager, and he’ll tell you: The skies over the lake are just as important as what happens on the water. “People that drive into your city spend money,” he says. “But people that fly into your city? They invest money.”
It’s a line he heard from a pilot years ago, and it’s stuck with him. Maybe because, for Dinsdale, these City-run airports—Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport and Grand Glaize Airport—aren’t just about transportation. They’re twin arteries that feed the heart of Lake of the Ozarks.
Two Airports, One Mission
The City of Osage Beach operates two distinctly different airports. Grand Glaize Airport, the smallest of the two, is located within city limits, just southeast of town. Lee C. Fine Airport is tucked inside Lake of the Ozarks State Park—Missouri’s largest state park—off Highway 42 and Highway 134, just minutes east of the city.
Together, they provide a vital link to the entire lake area. Whether a visitor is arriving for a weekend getaway or a corporate retreat, both airports offer fast, efficient access to either side of the Lake and dozens of hotels, restaurants and shops. “Most people don’t even know we’re here until they Google it,” Dinsdale says. “But once they land, they’re blown away by how nice the facilities are—and how close they are to town.”
A First Impression with Lasting Value
While commercial flights are scarce, general aviation traffic is steady. Nearby commercial airports like Columbia, Springfield and Fort Leonard Wood require long drives. But Osage Beach’s airports welcome private and chartered flights from all over the region and beyond.
In 2024 alone, the two airports saw a combined 8,000 takeoffs and landings. While commercial flights into Lee C. Fine are rare, its runway can accommodate a full-sized commercial passenger jet. “We handle a lot more than people realize,” Dinsdale says. “Fueling, ground transport, car rentals, hangar leasing, even just offering pilots a lounge and coffee—it’s all part of what we do.”
And those services add up. Both airports provide full-service fueling, weather updates, pilot lounges, aircraft parking, and quick access to rental cars and local destinations. Jet fuel sales peaked in 2021 during the post-COVID travel surge, reaching approximately 237,000 gallons. Demand has since normalized, with 141,000 gallons of jet fuel sold last year. Additional services include maintenance coordination, overnight tie-downs, and event accommodations like fly-ins.
During peak weekends like Memorial Day, July Fourth, or the annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in August, his teams run at full throttle—four full-time staff at Lee C. Fine and two more at Grand Glaize. Their mission: efficient operations with lake-area charm.
Fueling up at Grand Glaize Airport
Rooted in History, Ready for Emergencies
Grand Glaize Airport has served Osage Beach since 1947. Originally a grass strip, it sits on land donated by a local family under one condition: it would always remain an airport.
That legacy continues today—and now includes critical support during emergencies. “Lee C. Fine is used for organ donation flights,” Dinsdale says. “We’ve had patients and organs flown in or out, with ambulances waiting on the runway. Grand Glaize serves as the Life Flight base for Lake Regional Hospital.”
Dinsdale remembers one night that stood out. “I got a late-night call once—those always make you wonder, why would someone need fuel at this hour?” he says. “Then I found out it was a life flight transferring a young child to Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis. That sticks with you.”
The airports also support emergency services and law enforcement, often serving as bases for disaster relief operations or emergency response coordination. Whether it be wildfires, missing persons searches, or natural disasters, these runways are lifelines.
From Hobby to Career
Dinsdale didn’t always plan to manage airports. “I worked just two blocks from Grand Glaize years ago when I was working on my pilot’s license,” he says. “I started hanging around the airport a lot, and then a position opened up. I eventually started working for the city, and after 15 years, I worked my way up to the manager’s position.”
His passion for aviation turned into a career of service and a vision for what Osage Beach’s airports can be.
Ty Dinsdale, Osage Beach Airports Manager
An Economic Engine in the Sky
Even for residents who never fly, the airports make a difference. “It’s an avenue for revenue,” Dinsdale says. “We’re talking hangar leases, fuel sales, transient traffic, business development—those funds come into the city.”
The airports attract developers, real estate investors, and second-home buyers, while also supporting year-round tourism and professional services. Business executives can fly in for a meeting and be back in the air that afternoon—an edge that larger cities already leverage. The airports are poised to support Osage Beach as it grows. Up next is a $4.3 million major runway resurfacing project at Lee C. Fine Airport, ensuring the facility remains top-notch for years to come. A Federal Aviation Administration Block Grant covers 90% of the cost, with the City of Osage Beach funding the remaining 10%.
Every pilot, visitor, and corporate flyer that touches down helps power the local economy. “Whether you’re flying in for vacation, investing in property or transferring a patient in need, we’re proud to be part of your journey,” Dinsdale says.
Parked at Grand Glaize Airport