RAF Fairford (EGVA)
Medium airport · Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
Airport data
| Name | RAF Fairford |
|---|---|
| ICAO | EGVA |
| IATA | FFD |
| Elevation | 286 ft (87 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 51°41'1" W 1°47'21" 51.68357, -1.78917 |
| Location | Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/27 | 9,994 ft (3046 m) | 200 ft | ASP | Yes |
RAF Fairford at a glance
RAF Fairford is a medium airport in Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, known to airline systems as FFD. The field elevation of 286 ft (87 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at EGVA are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 09/27, offers 9,994 ft (3046 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for EGVA shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to RAF Fairford
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| RAF Brize Norton | EGVN | 16 km (9 NM) |
| Gloucestershire Airport | EGBJ | 35 km (19 NM) |
| London Oxford Airport | EGTK | 37 km (20 NM) |
| RAF Benson | EGUB | 48 km (26 NM) |
| MoD Boscombe Down | EGDM | 59 km (32 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for RAF Fairford
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 286 ft field elevation of RAF Fairford can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 88 airports and airfields we list for United Kingdom — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about RAF Fairford
What is the ICAO code of RAF Fairford?
The ICAO identifier of RAF Fairford is EGVA, and its IATA code is FFD. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is RAF Fairford above sea level?
RAF Fairford sits at an elevation of 286 feet (87 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is RAF Fairford located?
The airport lies at 51.6836, -1.7892 — in Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is RAF Brize Norton, about 16 km away.
Does EGVA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for EGVA appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at RAF Fairford?
RAF Fairford has one runway. The longest, 09/27, measures 9,994 ft (3046 m) with a ASP surface.