Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base (FVTL)
Medium airport · Gweru, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe
Airport data
| Name | Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | FVTL |
| IATA | GWE |
| Elevation | 4,680 ft (1426 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 19°26'12" E 29°51'43" -19.43672, 29.86194 |
| Location | Gweru, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13L/31R | 8,766 ft (2672 m) | 100 ft | ASP | Yes |
Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base at a glance
Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base is a medium airport in Gweru, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe, known to airline systems as GWE. The field elevation of 4,680 ft (1426 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at FVTL 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, 13L/31R, offers 8,766 ft (2672 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 13L points roughly 130° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for FVTL 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 Josiah Tungamirai 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Masvingo International Airport | FVMV | 125 km (68 NM) |
| Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport | FVJN | 145 km (78 NM) |
| Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport | FVRG | 212 km (114 NM) |
| Buffalo Range Airport | FVCZ | 250 km (135 NM) |
| Hwange National Park Airport | FVWN | 312 km (168 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 4,680 ft field elevation of Josiah Tungamirai 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 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 Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base is FVTL, and its IATA code is GWE. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base above sea level?
Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 4,680 feet (1426 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at -19.4367, 29.8619 — in Gweru, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Masvingo International Airport, about 125 km away.
Does FVTL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for FVTL 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 Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base?
Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 13L/31R, measures 8,766 ft (2672 m) with a ASP surface.