Robertson Airport (FARS)
Medium airport · Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Robertson Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FARS |
| IATA | ROD |
| Elevation | 640 ft (195 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 33°48'44" E 19°54'10" -33.81220, 19.90280 |
| Location | Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/28 | 4,921 ft (1500 m) | 49 ft | ASP | No |
| 14/32 | 2,395 ft (730 m) | 59 ft | Grass | No |
Robertson Airport at a glance
Robertson Airport is a medium airport in Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa, known to airline systems as ROD. The field elevation of 640 ft (195 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FARS are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 10/28 — offers 4,921 ft (1500 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 10 points roughly 100° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FARS 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 Robertson Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town International Airport | FACT | 121 km (65 NM) |
| Ysterplaat Air Force Base | FAYP | 130 km (70 NM) |
| Langebaanweg Airport | FALW | 187 km (101 NM) |
| Saldanha/Vredenburg Airport | FASD | 203 km (110 NM) |
| Oudtshoorn Airport | FAOH | 213 km (115 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Robertson Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 640 ft field elevation of Robertson 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 Robertson Airport
What is the ICAO code of Robertson Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Robertson Airport is FARS, and its IATA code is ROD. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Robertson Airport above sea level?
Robertson Airport sits at an elevation of 640 feet (195 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Robertson Airport located?
The airport lies at -33.8122, 19.9028 — in Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Cape Town International Airport, about 121 km away.
Does FARS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FARS 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 Robertson Airport?
Robertson Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 10/28, measures 4,921 ft (1500 m) with a ASP surface.