McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ)
Medium airport · Carlsbad, California, United States
Airport data
| Name | McClellan-Palomar Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KCRQ |
| IATA | CLD |
| Elevation | 331 ft (101 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 33°7'42" W 117°16'48" 33.12830, -117.28000 |
| Location | Carlsbad, California, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 4,897 ft (1493 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
McClellan-Palomar Airport at a glance
McClellan-Palomar Airport is a medium airport in Carlsbad, California, United States, known to airline systems as CLD. The field elevation of 331 ft (101 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KCRQ 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, 06/24, offers 4,897 ft (1493 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KCRQ 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 McClellan-Palomar Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Oceanside Municipal Airport | KOKB | 12 km (6 NM) |
| Camp Pendleton MCAS (Munn Field) Airport | KNFG | 20 km (11 NM) |
| Miramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher Field | KNKX | 32 km (17 NM) |
| San Diego International Airport | KSAN | 45 km (24 NM) |
| North Island Naval Air Station-Halsey Field | KNZY | 48 km (26 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for McClellan-Palomar Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 331 ft field elevation of McClellan-Palomar 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 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — 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 McClellan-Palomar Airport
What is the ICAO code of McClellan-Palomar Airport?
The ICAO identifier of McClellan-Palomar Airport is KCRQ, and its IATA code is CLD. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is McClellan-Palomar Airport above sea level?
McClellan-Palomar Airport sits at an elevation of 331 feet (101 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is McClellan-Palomar Airport located?
The airport lies at 33.1283, -117.2800 — in Carlsbad, California, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Oceanside Municipal Airport, about 12 km away.
Does KCRQ publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KCRQ 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 McClellan-Palomar Airport?
McClellan-Palomar Airport has one runway. The longest, 06/24, measures 4,897 ft (1493 m) with a ASP surface.