Atlanta Fulton County Airport – Brown Field: A Local’s Guide to ATL’s General Aviation Hub

Atlanta is known for Hartsfield-Jackson, but Atlanta Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY) is the city’s busy general aviation airport on the west side. If you live in Atlanta, fly privately, train as a pilot, or work with aviation-related businesses, this smaller airport can be far more convenient than the big commercial hub.

This guide walks through what Atlanta Fulton County Airport is, where it is, who uses it, and how it fits into everyday life and travel in and around Atlanta.

What Is Atlanta Fulton County Airport – Brown Field?

Atlanta Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (airport code: FTY) is a public general aviation airport owned and operated by Fulton County. It does not offer commercial airline service like Hartsfield-Jackson, but instead serves:

• Corporate and business jets
• Private aircraft
• Air charter services
• Flight training and pilot instruction
• Air ambulance and some public safety flights

For many Atlantans, FTY is the main alternative to Hartsfield-Jackson when you are:

• Chartering a private flight
• Meeting a corporate or business jet
• Participating in a flight school
• Working in aviation maintenance or support services

Location, Directions, and Basic Details

Address (main entrance area)
Atlanta Fulton County Airport – Brown Field
3952 Aviation Cir NW
Atlanta, GA 30336

The airport is located in southwest Fulton County, generally referred to as on the west side of Atlanta, close to the I-20 and I-285 interchange.

Getting There by Car

Depending on where you’re coming from in the Atlanta area, here’s how people commonly drive to FTY:

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta

  • Take I-20 West toward Birmingham.
  • Exit near I-285 and follow local roads (often Fulton Industrial Boulevard area) to the airport.
  • Plan on about 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic.

• From Buckhead / North Atlanta

  • Take I-75/85 South to I-20 West, or use I-285 West around the city.
  • Drive time is typically 25–35 minutes in normal conditions.

• From the Airport Area (Hartsfield-Jackson)

  • Take I-285 West/North to the I-20 area.
  • Travel time is often 20–30 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Parking and access usually depend on which facility or fixed-base operator (FBO) you are using. If you have a flight, charter, or lesson scheduled, confirm which gate or building you should enter and where to park.

Who Uses Atlanta Fulton County Airport?

1. Business and Corporate Travelers

Many corporations in Atlanta and the broader metro area use business jets or charters that operate out of FTY. It offers:

• Short taxi times
• Less congested airspace than Hartsfield-Jackson
• Easier access for ground transportation and private vehicles

If you work for an Atlanta company with a corporate flight department, there’s a good chance your flights may depart from or arrive at FTY rather than the commercial terminals at ATL.

2. Private Pilots and Aircraft Owners

For local aviators, FTY is a home base for:

• Private aircraft hangars and tie-downs
• Aviation maintenance and repair services
• Fueling services (avgas and jet fuel)
• Pilot training and recurrent proficiency flights

A lot of Atlanta-area pilots base their aircraft at FTY instead of driving farther out to regional airports beyond the perimeter.

3. Flight Schools and Student Pilots

Atlanta Fulton County Airport is also a training environment. If you’re considering becoming a pilot in Atlanta, FTY is one of the airports where you may:

• Take introductory flights
• Train for a private pilot license
• Work on instrument or commercial ratings
• Get multi-engine training

Being near the city while still having access to practice airspace makes it attractive to student pilots who live in Atlanta or nearby suburbs.

4. Air Charter and Air Taxi Services

If you’re arranging a private charter flight in or out of Atlanta and do not want the crowds and logistics of a commercial terminal, many charter providers will recommend using FTY. Benefits often include:

• Quicker boarding and departure
• Direct ground access for vehicles near the aircraft in some cases
• Flexible scheduling that isn’t tied to airline routes

When booking a charter, ask specifically whether the flight uses Atlanta Fulton County Airport (FTY) so you know where to show up.

Key Airport Features and Facilities

While FTY is smaller than Hartsfield-Jackson, it has the core infrastructure needed for a busy general aviation field.

Runway and Airfield

• Main runway: Paved runway suitable for business jets and general aviation aircraft
• Lighting and instrument procedures that support day and night operations under varying weather conditions

Pilots appreciate that FTY balances proximity to the city with a layout that is easier to navigate than a large commercial airport.

Control Tower

Atlanta Fulton County Airport has an air traffic control tower, which helps:

• Manage arrivals and departures
• Coordinate with nearby Atlanta-area airspace
• Increase safety and efficiency for busy general aviation traffic

For pilots, this means operations are conducted with standard towered-airport procedures, similar to other controlled fields in metro areas.

Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs)

Private and business aviation at FTY is typically handled through FBOs, which provide:

• Pilot lounges and passenger waiting areas
• Fuel services
• Ground handling for aircraft
• Rental cars, ride-share pick-up coordination, or car service assistance
• Catering coordination for flights

If you’re flying as a passenger on a private or charter flight, your meeting point is usually an FBO lobby, not a traditional airline terminal.

Services You Might Use at FTY as an Atlanta Resident

Even if you’re not a pilot, you might find yourself using Atlanta Fulton County Airport in a few common situations.

✈️ Private and Corporate Flights

If your employer or a client uses private aircraft, your travel instructions may say something like:

In that case, you’ll usually:

1. Drive to the specific FBO address given by your flight organizer.
2. Park in the guest or passenger lot.
3. Check in with the reception desk in the lobby.
4. Wait until your crew or representative meets you for boarding.

There are no airline-style ticket counters or TSA checkpoints here; procedures are arranged by the operator and subject to federal aviation security rules that apply to private operations.

🚑 Medical or Special Flights

Some air ambulance or medical transport flights use FTY because it is:

• Less congested than ATL
• Convenient to hospitals in West Midtown, Downtown, and surrounding areas via ground transport

If your family is coordinating with a medical transport service, they’ll let you know which airport is being used—FTY is one of the common choices for west-side or downtown-related routes.

🛠 Aircraft Maintenance and Storage

If you own an aircraft in or near Atlanta, FTY may be where you:

• Store your airplane in a hangar or on a tie-down
• Schedule inspections, maintenance, or avionics work
• Keep the aircraft closer to your home than a more distant regional field

Space can be in demand, so local pilots often join waitlists or coordinate directly with FBOs or airport management.

Comparing FTY and Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

For many Atlantans, the main question is: “Why use Atlanta Fulton County Airport instead of Hartsfield-Jackson?”

Here’s a simple comparison:

If you’re flying on a commercial airline, you’ll go to ATL. If you’re on a private, corporate, or training flight, you may be headed to FTY.

Noise, Neighborhoods, and Community Impact

Living near an airport raises natural questions about noise and traffic. Atlanta Fulton County Airport is active, but it does not have the volume of a major commercial hub.

Residents in parts of:

• Adamsville / Collier Heights area
• Neighborhoods along Fulton Industrial Boulevard
• Nearby sections of southwest and west Atlanta

may occasionally notice jet or propeller aircraft overhead, particularly during takeoff and landing.

If You Have Noise Concerns

As with most public airports, Fulton County typically has channels to:

• Log noise complaints or concerns
• Ask about flight paths and procedures
• Learn about any community meetings or briefings regarding the airport

Residents can contact Fulton County or the airport’s administrative office to find out where to direct these concerns. When you call, be ready to share:

• Approximate time of the disturbance
• Your general location
• Type of noise (jet, propeller, helicopter, etc.)

This information can help airport staff and local officials better understand patterns and community feedback.

Practical Tips for Using Atlanta Fulton County Airport

If you’re planning to interact with FTY in any way, these local tips help:

1. Confirm Which Airport You’re Using
Atlanta uses multiple aviation facilities, including FTY, ATL, and smaller area airports. Double-check whether your itinerary says “FTY” or “Fulton County Airport – Brown Field” so you don’t end up at the wrong location.

2. Get Exact Directions to Your FBO or Office
Different businesses and FBOs have separate entrances, gates, and parking lots. Ask your charter company, flight school, or maintenance shop for:

• The exact street address
• Any gate codes or entry procedures
• Instructions for parking and checking in

3. Allow Extra Time if It’s Your First Visit
The airport is smaller than ATL, but if you’re not familiar with the Aviation Circle / Fulton Industrial area, give yourself a time cushion to find the correct building.

4. Coordinate Ground Transportation Ahead of Time
Ride-share services, taxis, and car services can all pick up at private aviation facilities, but it helps to:

• Confirm your meeting point (outside FBO entrance, curb, etc.)
• Share the correct address and business name with the driver

5. Check Identification Requirements
Even though you’re not going through a commercial airline terminal, you usually still need to bring government-issued ID for most charter and corporate flights. When in doubt, ask the operator what you should bring.

How Atlanta Fulton County Airport Fits into the City’s Aviation Landscape

For Atlanta, FTY serves a specialized but important role:

• It relieves pressure on Hartsfield-Jackson by hosting general aviation traffic elsewhere.
• It provides quicker options for private and corporate travelers based in or visiting the city, especially those doing business on the west side, Downtown, or Midtown.
• It supports aviation education, pilot training, and maintenance jobs, contributing to local employment and skills development.

If you travel frequently for business in Atlanta, are exploring flight training, or have aviation needs beyond commercial airlines, it’s worth getting familiar with Atlanta Fulton County Airport – Brown Field and how it operates.