Buffalo Range Airport (FVCZ)
Medium airport · Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe
Airport data
| Name | Buffalo Range Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FVCZ |
| IATA | BFO |
| Elevation | 1,421 ft (433 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 21°0'29" E 31°34'43" -21.00810, 31.57860 |
| Location | Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/32 | 5,785 ft (1763 m) | 98 ft | BIT | No |
Buffalo Range Airport at a glance
Buffalo Range Airport is a medium airport in Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, known to airline systems as BFO. The field elevation of 1,421 ft (433 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FVCZ 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, 14/32, offers 5,785 ft (1763 m) of bit surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 14 points roughly 140° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FVCZ 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 Buffalo Range Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Masvingo International Airport | FVMV | 130 km (70 NM) |
| Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base | FVTL | 250 km (135 NM) |
| Chimoio Airport | FQCH | 283 km (153 NM) |
| Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport | FVJN | 327 km (177 NM) |
| Hendrik Van Eck Airport | FAPH | 329 km (178 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Buffalo Range Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,421 ft field elevation of Buffalo Range 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 9 airports and airfields we list for Zimbabwe — 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 Buffalo Range Airport
What is the ICAO code of Buffalo Range Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Buffalo Range Airport is FVCZ, and its IATA code is BFO. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Buffalo Range Airport above sea level?
Buffalo Range Airport sits at an elevation of 1,421 feet (433 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Buffalo Range Airport located?
The airport lies at -21.0081, 31.5786 — in Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Masvingo International Airport, about 130 km away.
Does FVCZ publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FVCZ 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 Buffalo Range Airport?
Buffalo Range Airport has one runway. The longest, 14/32, measures 5,785 ft (1763 m) with a BIT surface.