Fairchild Air Force Base (KSKA)
Medium airport · Spokane, Washington, United States
Airport data
| Name | Fairchild Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KSKA |
| IATA | SKA |
| Elevation | 2,461 ft (750 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 47°36'54" W 117°39'22" 47.61510, -117.65600 |
| Location | Spokane, Washington, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 13,899 ft (4236 m) | 150 ft | CON | Yes |
Fairchild Air Force Base at a glance
Fairchild Air Force Base is a medium airport in Spokane, Washington, United States, known to airline systems as SKA. The field elevation of 2,461 ft (750 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KSKA 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, 05/23, offers 13,899 ft (4236 m) of con 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 KSKA 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 Fairchild 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane International Airport | KGEG | 9 km (5 NM) |
| Felts Field | KSFF | 26 km (14 NM) |
| Coeur D'Alene Airport - Pappy Boyington Field | KCOE | 65 km (35 NM) |
| Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport | KPUW | 105 km (57 NM) |
| Grant County International Airport | KMWH | 133 km (72 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Fairchild Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 2,461 ft field elevation of Fairchild 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 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 Fairchild Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Fairchild Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Fairchild Air Force Base is KSKA, and its IATA code is SKA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Fairchild Air Force Base above sea level?
Fairchild Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 2,461 feet (750 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Fairchild Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at 47.6151, -117.6560 — in Spokane, Washington, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Spokane International Airport, about 9 km away.
Does KSKA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KSKA 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 Fairchild Air Force Base?
Fairchild Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 05/23, measures 13,899 ft (4236 m) with a CON surface.