Before you fly into KCHS
Conditions
VFR
Good for visual flying
Airport
Towered
24 local · CTAF after hrs
Pattern alt
1,046'
MSL · field 46' + 1,000 AGL
Favored RWY
RWY 03
H/W +3 · X/W 1 kt L
METAR & TAF KCHS
Current METAR
Observed 21:06Z
KCHS 272106Z VRB03KT 10SM SCT030 18/10 A3017 RMK AO2 T01830100
- Wind
- VAR @ 3 kt
- Visibility
- 10 SM
- Temp / Dew
- 18°C / 10°C
- Altimeter
- 30.17 inHg
- Clouds
- SCT
- Density alt
- 107 ft
- Ceiling
- Unlimited
- Rules
- VFR
Airport info & contacts
Manager on record, flight service, ARTCC, attendance schedule and pattern altitude — published by the FAA and refreshed every 28 days.
Location
- From city
- 9 NM NW
- VFR sectional
- CHARLOTTE
- ARTCC
- ZJX · JACKSONVILLE
- NOTAM facility
- CHS (NOTAM-D)
Airport manager
- Name
- ELLIOTT SUMMEY
- Phone
- 843-761-7000
- Address
- 5500 INTL BLVD, CHARLESTON SC 29418
Flight service · Hours
- FSS AND
- ANDERSON1-800-WX-BRIEF
- Attendance
- ALL
Frequencies
Tap any row to copy the frequency to your clipboard.
Advisory / CTAF
ATIS / D-ATIS
Clearance / Ground
Tower / Local
Approach / Departure
Other
Runways & pattern
Full pagePattern entry · RWY 03
LEFT TRAFFIC| Runway | Heading (°M) | Length | Surface | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 140° / 320° | 9,001 ft | CONC | Standard L |
| 03/21Favored | 17° / 197° | 7,000 ft | CONC | Standard L |
Runway end performance
| End | TORA | TODA | ASDA | LDA | VGSI | Approach lights | Obstruction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | — | — | — | — | PAPI 4-box left(3°) | ALSF2 | — |
| 33 | — | — | — | — | PAPI 4-box left(3°) | MALSR | — |
| 03 | — | — | — | — | PAPI 4-box left(3°) | — | — |
| 21 | — | — | — | — | PAPI 4-box left(3°) | — | — |
Declared distances in feet. TORA = takeoff run available, TODA = takeoff distance, ASDA = accelerate-stop, LDA = landing distance.
Airport sketch
Runways drawn to scale from FAA survey coordinates, rendered over live satellite imagery. Not for navigation.
© Esri
Approaches & charts
ILS · 2
RWY 15
LS · CAT II
CHS
109.7
RWY 33
LS · CAT I
CCI
108.9
Services on the field
Fuel grades, oxygen, maintenance, ramp storage and lighting — as declared to the FAA by the airport operator.
Fuel & services
- Fuel
- 100A1+
- Oxygen (bottled)
- Not available
- Oxygen (bulk)
- High pressure
- Airframe repair
- Major
- Power plant repair
- Major
- Other services
- AVNCS,CHTR,SALES
Ramp & ground
- Transient storage
- Tie-down
- Hangar
- Landing fee
- No fee published
- Customs
- Not available
- Beacon schedule
- SS-SR
- Beacon
- White / Green (civil land)(WG)
- Wind indicator
- Yes
- Segmented circle
- No
Fuel & FBOs
Cheapest 100LL and Jet A on the field and nearby. Always confirm with the FBO before taxi.
Airport notes
Surface conditions, obstructions, local procedures, lighting outages and other notes published with each FAA cycle.
General notes
- Fuel: A++ military, A+ Atlantic Aviation at 843-746-7600, NC-100, A1+.Show FAA
- Caution: Runway 15-33 has a 1 foot raised threshold light.Show FAA
- Liquid oxygen servicing is available to military.Show FAA
- Transient aircraft for military ramp follow-me required. Military aircraft for FBO parking and service require prior permission at 843-746-7600.Show FAA
- Caution: Military side wingtip clearance lines are 161 feet from taxiway D centerline and ramp inter-taxiway 115 feet from centerline.Show FAA
- Miscellaneous: Passive radio is unavailable. Passive radio and phone patch are available through 628 CP at DSN 673-8400 and commercial 843-963-8400. Weather flight is closed on weekends, holidays, and down days. Military weather field and airfield support are available 24/7 for severe weather at commercial 843-754-1956. Mission weather support hours are 1100 to 2300 Zulu Monday through Thursday and 1100 to 2100 Zulu Friday at DSN 673-3016/3644 and commercial 843-963-3016. Mission weather support is closed on weekends, holidays, and down days. Mission weather support briefings for aircrew are available via the 260th Weather Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base at DSN 331-2651 and commercial 318-529-2651 during military weather flight closure hours.Show FAA
- Restricted: Runway visual range is available via FAA tower.Show FAA
- All inbound VIP code 7 or higher passenger and cargo aircraft must contact Palmetto Operations no later than 30 minutes prior to landing.Show FAA
- Miscellaneous: Airfield surface weather observations are taken in accordance with FAA criteria, not Air Force criteria.Show FAA
- Caution: Runway 21 has frequently parked train cars 25 feet above ground level, a construction and utility storage yard 20 feet above ground level 1000 feet from the threshold, and gravel piles 50 feet above ground level 1500 feet from the threshold.Show FAA
- Runways 15/33 and 3/21 are grooved.Show FAA
- Restricted: Prior permission required except for aeromedical evacuation, Special Air Mission, and Air Mobility Command GDSSII missions. For number and local training flight transient alert support contact airfield management at DSN 673-3024/6 or commercial 843-963-3024/6.Show FAA
- Charleston military provides no security and no aircraft services at FBOs and the commercial terminal.Show FAA
- C-5, B747, and AN-124 aircraft taxi with outboard engines at idle.Show FAA
- Runway 15 has an ALSF-2 approach lighting system that also operates as a simplified short approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights during visual meteorological conditions.Show FAA
- Airfield grass cutting operations are conducted in the controlled movement area year round. Contact airfield management for daily location.Show FAA
- Air Mobility Command aircraft operations are restricted during bird watch conditions moderate (takeoff or landing permitted only when departure or arrival route avoids identified bird activity, no local IFR or VFR traffic pattern aircraft) and severe (takeoff and landing prohibited without operations group or commander approval). Contact Palmetto Operations for current bird watch conditions.Show FAA
- For all aircraft requiring fuel, please have in your possession the white DD Form 1896 fuel card, US government air card, or your base billing information.Show FAA
- Temporary storage of classified materials: limited classified storage is available with 24 hour prior notice required with airfield management. Prior coordination is required. Contact base operations 24 hours prior to arrival. No classified storage is available at the command post. For top secret storage contact 437th Special Operations Squadron 24 hours prior to arrival at DSN 673-0955 or commercial 843-963-0955.Show FAA
- Soap fluid: routine soap samples are not available; special presair liquid oxygen and liquid oxygen are available.Show FAA
- All aircraft must contact Palmetto Operations prior to entering the military ramp for parking assignment.Show FAA
- Non-Air Mobility Command aircrews requiring remain overnight service must contact the command post Palmetto Operations at DSN 673-8400 or commercial 843-963-8400 prior to arrival. The terminal apron is restricted to commercial air carriers and aircraft for customs clearance by prior permission required.Show FAA
- Migratory bird season Phase II is from April 1 to 15 and August 1 to November 30. Runway 15-33 has raised approach lights in the overrun. Runway 03-21 has an 800 foot overrun.Show FAA
- Passenger terminal operates from 0930 to 0330 Zulu daily. After hours contact DSN 673-7005 or 7006 or commercial 843-963-7005 or 7006. C-17 engine running onloads and offloads are available 24 hours prior notice. Contact 437th Aerial Port Squadron at DSN 673-3193 or 3194 or commercial 843-963-3193 or 3194 for coordination and approval. Pass passenger and cargo information to Palmetto Operations three hours prior to arrival.Show FAA
- Parking on the terminal apron is restricted to commercial air carriers and aircraft for customs clearance by prior arrangement only.Show FAA
- Runway 15-33 has 1000 foot overruns with frangible raised approach lights.Show FAA
- Miscellaneous information: Airfield management can be reached at DSN 673-3024/6 or commercial 843-963-3024/6. When airfield management is out of the office, contact number is commercial 854-274-8453. If the civilian side of the airport is the final destination, the aircraft commander will indicate this on the DD Form 175. For dangerous cargo aircraft, contact the primary point of contact, Palmetto Operations secondary. All Air Mobility Command mission aircraft must contact Palmetto Operations when within radio range.Show FAA
- Intensive heavy military jets and other miscellaneous aircraft execute numerous cargo and personnel drops, high speed low-level formation flights, and miscellaneous air-to-ground operations.Show FAA
- Caution: Fuel pit and switch obstruction 36 inches high located 75 feet left of taxiway D centerline north of taxiway E.Show FAA
- Traffic pattern altitudes are rectangular 1200 feet, overhead 1700 feet, light aircraft 700 feet, and C5A 2000 feet.Show FAA
- No student solo touch and go landing is allowed.Show FAA
- See additional remarks.Show FAA
- Caution: Military ramp aircraft contact Charleston ground control for engine start and taxi.Show FAA
- All aircraft must use the upper antenna until airborne.Show FAA
- There is reduced fire support for C-5 and AN-124 aircraft with degradation of fire fighting capability. C-5 and AN-124 aircraft with emergencies must closely coordinate requirements with Palmetto Operations.Show FAA
- Combat off-load operations on the north end of taxiway D must ensure that pallets land prior to the lead-in line to runway 15 approach end. Contact ground control if a pallet lands beyond the lead-in line.Show FAA
- Expanded runway 15/33 operations are suspended 1230 to 1300 Zulu daily for airfield ground inspection.Show FAA
- Prior permission required for parking of general aviation aircraft on the terminal ramp. Contact 843-767-1100.Show FAA
- The airfield beacon is not visible from the northwest.Show FAA
- JASU: 8 MD-3M, 2 MA-1A, M32A-60, M32A-60A.Show FAA
- Non-detergent oil is not available for piston aircraft. O-128, O-133, and O-148 military oils are available.Show FAA
- Runway 03-21 is closed the second Tuesday of each month from 1330 to 2200 Zulu. Runway 15-33 is closed the last Tuesday of each month from 1330 to 2200 Zulu.Show FAA
- Runway condition code is not reported.Show FAA
Runway surface & condition
- 03/21Lights for both runways are Air Force specification type.Show FAA
Arresting gear
- 15_BAK-12Type-H BAK-12A(B) arresting device is 1260 feet long.Show FAA
- 33_BAK-12Type-H BAK-12A(B) arresting device is available with a length of 1460 feet on runway 33.Show FAA
Other notes
- This airport has been surveyed by the National Geodetic Survey.Show FAA
- Traffic pattern altitude is rectangular 1154 feet above ground level and 1200 feet mean sea level, overhead 1654 feet above ground level and 1700 feet mean sea level, light aircraft 654 feet above ground level and 700 feet mean sea level, C5A 1954 feet above ground level and 2000 feet mean sea level.Show FAA
- MANAGERElliott Summey is the director of airports for the Charleston Regional Aviation Authority. The Air Force airfield manager can be contacted at 843-963-3024.Show FAA
- OWNERThis is a shared-use airport. The United States Air Force owns and operates all runways and the majority of the taxiways. The Charleston County Aviation Authority operates the civilian terminal and associated taxiways.Show FAA
VFR map & nearby airports
VFR sectional. Tap any ICAO chip to open that airport.
Key facts · KCHS
Answer card- ICAO
- KCHS
- Name
- CHARLESTON AFB/INTL
- Location
- CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
- Elevation
- 46 ft MSL
- Traffic pattern altitude
- 1,046 ft MSL (1,000 AGL)
- Control tower
- Towered · 24
- Total runways
- 2
- Longest runway
- 15/33 · 9,001 ft
- Published ILS approaches
- 2
- Published frequencies
- 24
- Magnetic variation
- 7°
- Current flight rules
- VFR
- Current wind
- 000° at 3 kt
- Favored runway now
- RWY 03
Charleston AFB/Intl is in Charleston, South Carolina. The field elevation is 46 ft MSL. It has 2 concrete runways. The longest is 9,001 ft on runway 15/33. The tower is open 24 hours. ILS approaches are published for runway ends 15 and 33.
Traffic pattern altitude is published at 1,200 ft MSL. That is 1,154 ft AGL for the rectangular pattern. Light aircraft use 700 ft MSL. That is 654 ft AGL. Overhead is 1,700 ft MSL. That is 1,654 ft AGL. C5A traffic uses 2,000 ft MSL. That is 1,954 ft AGL.
Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation are on the field. Both carry 100LL and Jet A. If you are planning a stop, call ahead for current ramp access and service details. Military transient aircraft on the ramp need a follow-me. Military aircraft for FBO parking and service need prior permission.
There are a few field-specific items to brief before arrival. Runway 15/33 has a raised threshold light at 15. Runway 21 has parked train cars, a construction and utility storage yard, plus gravel piles near the threshold area. The airport is in Class C airspace. Check the current FAA Chart Supplement for any noise or curfew restrictions before flying in. The published remarks also note that passive radio is unavailable, so plan on using the tower and current published procedures.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pattern altitude at KCHS?
The published rectangular pattern altitude is 1,200 ft MSL. That is 1,154 ft AGL.
What ILS approaches are available at KCHS?
There are 2 ILS approaches. They serve runway ends 15 and 33.
What is the longest runway at Charleston AFB/Intl?
Runway 15/33 is the longest runway. It is 9,001 ft long and concrete.
Is KCHS towered 24 hours?
Yes. Charleston AFB/Intl has a control tower with 24-hour service.
Which FBOs are on the field at KCHS?
Signature Aviation and Atlantic Aviation are on the field. Both carry 100LL and Jet A.
What should I know about runway 21 at KCHS?
Runway 21 has parked train cars near the approach area. The remarks also call out a construction and utility storage yard plus gravel piles near that threshold.
Is KCHS in Class C airspace?
Yes. The published frequencies include Class C and approach control on 120.7 and 121.275. Verify current procedures with the tower or the current FAA Chart Supplement before arrival.
Does KCHS have any special operating cautions?
Yes. Runway 15/33 has a raised threshold light at 15. The remarks also say passive radio is unavailable, so use current tower procedures and published communications.