Brown Field Municipal Airport (KSDM)
Medium airport · San Diego, California, United States
Airport data
| Name | Brown Field Municipal Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KSDM |
| IATA | SDM |
| Elevation | 526 ft (160 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 32°34'22" W 116°58'48" 32.57264, -116.98002 |
| Location | San Diego, California, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08L/26R | 7,972 ft (2430 m) | 150 ft | PEM | Yes |
| 08R/26L | 3,185 ft (971 m) | 75 ft | ASP | No |
Brown Field Municipal Airport at a glance
Brown Field Municipal Airport is a medium airport in San Diego, California, United States, known to airline systems as SDM. The field elevation of 526 ft (160 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KSDM 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 — 08L/26R — offers 7,972 ft (2430 m) of pem surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 08L points roughly 80° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KSDM 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 Brown Field Municipal Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport | MMTJ | 4 km (2 NM) |
| North Island Naval Air Station-Halsey Field | KNZY | 26 km (14 NM) |
| San Diego International Airport | KSAN | 27 km (15 NM) |
| Miramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher Field | KNKX | 36 km (19 NM) |
| McClellan-Palomar Airport | KCRQ | 68 km (37 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Brown Field Municipal Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 526 ft field elevation of Brown Field Municipal 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 Brown Field Municipal Airport
What is the ICAO code of Brown Field Municipal Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Brown Field Municipal Airport is KSDM, and its IATA code is SDM. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Brown Field Municipal Airport above sea level?
Brown Field Municipal Airport sits at an elevation of 526 feet (160 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Brown Field Municipal Airport located?
The airport lies at 32.5726, -116.9800 — in San Diego, California, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport, about 4 km away.
Does KSDM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KSDM 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 Brown Field Municipal Airport?
Brown Field Municipal Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 08L/26R, measures 7,972 ft (2430 m) with a PEM surface.