Ysterplaat Air Force Base (FAYP)
Medium airport · Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Airport data
| Name | Ysterplaat Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FAYP |
| Elevation | 52 ft (16 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 33°54'1" E 18°29'54" -33.90020, 18.49830 |
| Location | Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 5,200 ft (1585 m) | 75 ft | ASP | Yes |
Ysterplaat Air Force Base at a glance
Ysterplaat Air Force Base is a medium airport in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. The field elevation of 52 ft (16 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FAYP 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, 02/20, offers 5,200 ft (1585 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02 points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FAYP 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 Ysterplaat Air Force Base
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 | 13 km (7 NM) |
| Langebaanweg Airport | FALW | 108 km (58 NM) |
| Saldanha/Vredenburg Airport | FASD | 115 km (62 NM) |
| Robertson Airport | FARS | 130 km (70 NM) |
| Vredendal Airport | FAVR | 251 km (136 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Ysterplaat Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 52 ft field elevation of Ysterplaat Air Force Base 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 Ysterplaat Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Ysterplaat Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Ysterplaat Air Force Base is FAYP, and it has no IATA code assigned. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Ysterplaat Air Force Base above sea level?
Ysterplaat Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 52 feet (16 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Ysterplaat Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at -33.9002, 18.4983 — in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Cape Town International Airport, about 13 km away.
Does FAYP publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FAYP 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 Ysterplaat Air Force Base?
Ysterplaat Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 02/20, measures 5,200 ft (1585 m) with a ASP surface.