Lake Cumberland Regional Airport (KSME)
Medium airport · Somerset, Kentucky, United States
Airport data
| Name | Lake Cumberland Regional Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KSME |
| IATA | SME |
| Elevation | 927 ft (283 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 37°3'12" W 84°36'57" 37.05340, -84.61590 |
| Location | Somerset, Kentucky, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 5,801 ft (1768 m) | 100 ft | ASP | Yes |
Lake Cumberland Regional Airport at a glance
Lake Cumberland Regional Airport is a medium airport in Somerset, Kentucky, United States, known to airline systems as SME. The field elevation of 927 ft (283 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KSME 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 5,801 ft (1768 m) of asp 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 KSME 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 Lake Cumberland Regional Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| London-Corbin Airport/Magee Field | KLOZ | 47 km (25 NM) |
| Central Kentucky Regional Airport | KRGA | 69 km (37 NM) |
| Blue Grass Airport | KLEX | 109 km (59 NM) |
| Crossville Memorial Airport Whitson Field | KCSV | 130 km (70 NM) |
| Julian Carroll Airport | KJKL | 130 km (70 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Lake Cumberland Regional Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 927 ft field elevation of Lake Cumberland Regional 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 Lake Cumberland Regional Airport
What is the ICAO code of Lake Cumberland Regional Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Lake Cumberland Regional Airport is KSME, and its IATA code is SME. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Lake Cumberland Regional Airport above sea level?
Lake Cumberland Regional Airport sits at an elevation of 927 feet (283 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Lake Cumberland Regional Airport located?
The airport lies at 37.0534, -84.6159 — in Somerset, Kentucky, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is London-Corbin Airport/Magee Field, about 47 km away.
Does KSME publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KSME 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 Lake Cumberland Regional Airport?
Lake Cumberland Regional Airport has one runway. The longest, 05/23, measures 5,801 ft (1768 m) with a ASP surface.