KMER

VFR

CASTLE

ATWATER · CALIFORNIA

Elev
190.4'
Longest RWY
11,802'13/31
Tower
07:00–21:00
Status
Towered
Now--Z· METAR01:55Z
Airport diagram · tap to openMore charts →
Before you fly into KMER
Conditions
VFR
Good for visual flying
Airport
Towered
07:00–21:00 local · CTAF after hrs
Pattern alt
1,190.4'
MSL · field 190.4' + 1,000 AGL
Favored RWY
RWY 31
H/W +10 · X/W 2 kt R

METAR & TAF KMER

Current METAR

Observed 01:55Z

KMER 120155Z 33010KT 10SM CLR
Wind
330° @ 10 kt
Visibility
10 SM
Temp / Dew
Altimeter
Clouds
CLR
Density alt
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
3 NM NE
VFR sectional
SAN FRANCISCO
ARTCC
ZOA · OAKLAND
NOTAM facility
MER (NOTAM-D)

Airport manager

Name
GEORGE CLOVER
Address
2222 M STREET, MERCED CA 95340-4180

Flight service · Hours

FSS RIU
RANCHO MURIETA1-800-WX-BRIEF
Attendance
  • MON-FRI · 0800-1700

Frequencies

Tap any row to copy the frequency to your clipboard.

Advisory / CTAF
ATIS / D-ATIS
Clearance / Ground
Tower / Local
Approach / Departure

Runways & pattern

Full page

Runway & wind

tap a runway
330° · 10 kt
RWY 31
306°M
Head/Tail
+10 kt
Crosswind
2 kt R

Pattern entry · RWY 31

RIGHT TRAFFIC
CrosswindCrosswindDownwindDownwindBaseBaseFinalFinal45° entry45° entryRWY 31 · 306° · RIGHT TRAFFICPattern 1,190 ft MSL
RunwayHeading (°M)LengthSurfaceTraffic
13/31Favored126° / 306°11,802 ftASPH-CONC31 R

Runway end performance

EndTORATODAASDALDAVGSIApproach lightsObstruction
13PAPI 4-box left(3°)ALSF1
31PAPI 4-box left(3°)ALSF1

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 satellite imagery. Not for navigation.

Top-down satellite sketch of KMER CASTLE in ATWATER, CALIFORNIA, showing runways 13/31 drawn to scale over Esri World Imagery

Approaches & charts

ILS · 1

RWY 31
LG · CAT I
MER
109.5
ILS OR LOC RWY 31
KMER · IAP
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Services on the field

Fuel grades, oxygen, maintenance, ramp storage and lighting — as declared to the FAA by the airport operator.

Fuel & services

Fuel
100LLAA1
Airframe repair
Minor
Power plant repair
Minor

Ramp & ground

Transient storage
  • Tie-down
  • Hangar
Landing fee
No fee published
Customs
Not available
Lighting schedule
SEE RMK
Beacon schedule
SS-SR
Beacon
White / Green (civil land)(WG)
Wind indicator
Lighted
Segmented circle
Yes

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

  • RY 13/31 180 DEGREE TURNS PROHIBITIED.
  • FOR ARPT INFO 209-385-7686, EXTN 4180.
  • RY 31 WILL BE THE DESIGNATED CALM WIND RY (WIND 5 KNOTS OR LESS).
  • OPPOSITE END OF RY NOT VISIBLE ON TKOF. WHEN ATCT CLSD OPPOSITE DIRECTION TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED.
  • CIVILIAN AND MILITARY TRAINING MAY OCCASIONALLY CAUSE PATTERN CONGESTION.
  • WHEN ATCT CLSD MAX OF 5 ACFT PMTD IN VFR TFC PAT AT ANY ONE TIME AND 2000 FT CIG AND 3 MIS VIS RCMDD.
  • FOR CD WHEN ATCT IS CLSD CTC NORCAL APCH AT 916-361-0516.
  • TWY B CLSD TO ACFT GTR THAN 30000 LBS.

Lighting notes

  • WHEN ATCT CLSD ACTVT ALSF1 RWYS 13 & 31; HIRL RWY 13/31 - CTAF; 3 CLICKS ON, 5 CLICKS INCR INTST, 7 CLICKS OFF. PAPI RWYS 13 & 31 OPR CONSLY.

Fuel notes

  • 100LLFOR FUEL FM 1800-0900 CALL (209) 725-1455.

Runway surface & condition

  • 13/311,000 FT PAVED BLAST PAD BOTH ENDS OF RY.

Approach & departure obstructions

  • 31ALSF1 RY 13/31 SEQUENCED FLASHING LGTS OTS INDEFLY.

Other notes

  • NO OBJECTIONS
  • MANAGERMAILING ADDRESS
  • OWNERCOMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
  • MANAGERDESK PHONE 209-385-7686, EXTN 4180.

VFR map & nearby airports

VFR sectional. Tap any ICAO chip to open that airport.

Key facts · KMER

Answer card
ICAO
KMER
Name
CASTLE
Location
ATWATER, CALIFORNIA
Elevation
190.4 ft MSL
Traffic pattern altitude
1,190.4 ft MSL (1,000 AGL)
Control tower
Towered · 0700-2100
Total runways
1
Longest runway
13/31 · 11,802 ft
Published ILS approaches
1
Published frequencies
8
Magnetic variation
15°
Current flight rules
VFR
Current wind
330° at 10 kt
Favored runway now
RWY 31

Castle Airport sits in Atwater, California. Field elevation is 190.4 ft MSL. The airport has one runway, 13/31, which is 11,802 ft long with asphalt-concrete pavement. The tower is open 0700-2100. When the tower is closed, use CTAF for lighting activation and clearance delivery goes through NorCal Approach. The field has one ILS approach to runway 31. Pattern altitude is not published, so use the standard 1,000 ft AGL for light piston operations unless current instructions say otherwise.

KT Aero is on the field. It carries 100LL, Jet A and Jet A Prist. For fuel from 1800 to 0900, call the number in the Chart Supplement or contact the FBO directly. The published remarks also note a 1,000 ft paved blast pad at both ends of runway 13/31. Opposite direction takeoffs and landings are not authorized when the tower is closed. The opposite end of the runway is not visible on takeoff. Civilian and military training can add pattern congestion.

This is a long runway at a low-elevation field. Performance is usually straightforward. The main things to brief are tower hours, the runway 31 ILS and the closed-tower lighting procedures. Taxiway B is closed to aircraft over 30,000 lb. Check current procedures before you go.

Frequently asked questions

What is the runway length at KMER Castle Airport?
KMER has one runway, 13/31. It is 11,802 ft long, so runway length is not the limiting factor for most general aviation arrivals.
What is the pattern altitude at Castle Airport?
The pattern altitude is not published in the facts. Use the standard 1,000 ft AGL for light piston operations unless the current Chart Supplement says otherwise.
What are the tower hours at KMER?
The tower is open 0700-2100. Outside those hours, use CTAF for lighting activation and follow the closed-tower procedures in the current Chart Supplement.
Does KMER have an ILS approach?
Yes. There is 1 ILS approach and it serves runway 31.
Which FBO is on the field at Castle Airport?
KT Aero is the on-field FBO. It carries 100LL, Jet A and Jet A Prist. Call the FBO directly for current service details.
Can you land opposite direction at KMER when the tower is closed?
No. The published remarks say opposite direction takeoffs and landings are not authorized when the tower is closed. The opposite end of the runway is also not visible on takeoff.
How do you turn on the runway lights at KMER after tower hours?
When the tower is closed, activate the ALSF-1 on runways 13 and 31 and the high intensity runway lights on runway 13/31 by using CTAF. The published sequence is 3 clicks on, 5 clicks increase intensity, 7 clicks off.
Are there any operational notes for first-time pilots at KMER?
Yes. Civilian and military training may occasionally cause pattern congestion. Taxiway B is closed to aircraft greater than 30,000 lb, so verify taxi routing before taxiing.

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