Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field (KNBC)
Medium airport · Beaufort, South Carolina, United States
Airport data
| Name | Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KNBC |
| Elevation | 37 ft (11 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 32°28'39" W 80°43'24" 32.47740, -80.72320 |
| Location | Beaufort, South Carolina, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 12,202 ft (3719 m) | 200 ft | PEM | Yes |
| 14/32 | 8,001 ft (2439 m) | 200 ft | PEM | Yes |
Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field at a glance
Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field is a medium airport in Beaufort, South Carolina, United States. The field elevation of 37 ft (11 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KNBC 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 — 05/23 — offers 12,202 ft (3719 m) of pem surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KNBC 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 Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Airport | KHXD | 28 km (15 NM) |
| Savannah Hilton Head International Airport | KSAV | 59 km (32 NM) |
| Hunter Army Air Field | KSVN | 65 km (35 NM) |
| Charleston International Airport | KCHS | 79 km (43 NM) |
| Orangeburg Municipal Airport | KOGB | 110 km (59 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 37 ft field elevation of Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field 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 Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field
What is the ICAO code of Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field?
The ICAO identifier of Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field is KNBC, 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 Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field above sea level?
Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field sits at an elevation of 37 feet (11 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field located?
The airport lies at 32.4774, -80.7232 — in Beaufort, South Carolina, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Hilton Head Airport, about 28 km away.
Does KNBC publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KNBC 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 Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field?
Beaufort MCAS - Merritt Field has 2 runways. The longest, 05/23, measures 12,202 ft (3719 m) with a PEM surface.