Hendrik Van Eck Airport (FAPH)
Medium airport · Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Hendrik Van Eck Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAPH |
| IATA | PHW |
| Elevation | 1,432 ft (436 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 23°56'14" E 31°9'19" -23.93720, 31.15540 |
| Location | Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 4,491 ft (1369 m) | 60 ft | ASP | Yes |
Hendrik Van Eck Airport at a glance
Hendrik Van Eck Airport is a medium airport in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa, known to airline systems as PHW. The field elevation of 1,432 ft (436 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAPH are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 01/19, offers 4,491 ft (1369 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAPH 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 Hendrik Van Eck Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Eastgate Airport / Air Force Base Hoedspruit | FAHS | 48 km (26 NM) |
| Tzaneen Airport | FATZ | 85 km (46 NM) |
| Malamala Airport | FAMD | 105 km (57 NM) |
| Skukuza Airport | FASZ | 122 km (66 NM) |
| Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport | FAKN | 161 km (87 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Hendrik Van Eck Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,432 ft field elevation of Hendrik Van Eck Airport 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 62 airports and airfields we list for South Africa — 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 Hendrik Van Eck Airport
What is the ICAO code of Hendrik Van Eck Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Hendrik Van Eck Airport is FAPH, and its IATA code is PHW. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Hendrik Van Eck Airport above sea level?
Hendrik Van Eck Airport sits at an elevation of 1,432 feet (436 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Hendrik Van Eck Airport located?
The airport lies at -23.9372, 31.1554 — in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Eastgate Airport / Air Force Base Hoedspruit, about 48 km away.
Does FAPH publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAPH 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 Hendrik Van Eck Airport?
Hendrik Van Eck Airport has one runway. The longest, 01/19, measures 4,491 ft (1369 m) with a ASP surface.