A ‘little niche hobby’ is dogged by illegal dumping, damaged amenities and other persistent problems in Utah’s capital

Salt Lake City’s model plane airport is nearly a decade old now, but issues like a run-down runway cause headaches for pilots hoping to use it.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Ben Wheeler prepares to fly his model jet plane at the Salt Lake City Modelport on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

RELATED STORIES

What makes the Jordan River’s water yucky, and what’s being done about it?

SLC wants to make it safer to cross the street to a long-awaited park. A new state law adds a hurdle to improvements.

They transformed Seattle’s waterfront and designed New York’s innovative High Line park. Can they turn around the Jordan River?

MOST VIEWED

1

Salt Lake home costs just hit a new record. See how much they’re going for in your neighborhood.

2

Southern Utah University student serving in U.S. Army killed in Iranian attack

3

Sun may be setting on federal daylight saving time bill

4

‘Mormon Land’: His scribe’s diaries provide further evidence of Joseph Smith’s secret polygamy

5

A ‘little niche hobby’ is dogged by illegal dumping, damaged amenities and other persistent problems in Utah’s capital

Sponsored Story

A perfect day at the Utah Shakespeare Festival

Sponsored: Tribune readers receive a special discount on tickets.