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.

(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.

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A month to (re)discover Utah’s Jordan River

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