Whiteman Air Force Base (KSZL)
Medium airport · Knob Noster, Missouri, United States
Airport data
| Name | Whiteman Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KSZL |
| IATA | SZL |
| Elevation | 870 ft (265 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°43'49" W 93°32'52" 38.73030, -93.54790 |
| Location | Knob Noster, Missouri, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 12,400 ft (3780 m) | 200 ft | CON | Yes |
Whiteman Air Force Base at a glance
Whiteman Air Force Base is a medium airport in Knob Noster, Missouri, United States, known to airline systems as SZL. The field elevation of 870 ft (265 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KSZL 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, 01/19, offers 12,400 ft (3780 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KSZL 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 Whiteman 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport | KMKC | 100 km (54 NM) |
| Columbia Regional Airport | KCOU | 116 km (63 NM) |
| Kansas City International Airport | KMCI | 119 km (64 NM) |
| Rosecrans Memorial Airport | KSTJ | 165 km (89 NM) |
| Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport-Forney Field | KTBN | 165 km (89 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Whiteman Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 870 ft field elevation of Whiteman 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 Whiteman Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Whiteman Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Whiteman Air Force Base is KSZL, and its IATA code is SZL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Whiteman Air Force Base above sea level?
Whiteman Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 870 feet (265 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Whiteman Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at 38.7303, -93.5479 — in Knob Noster, Missouri, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, about 100 km away.
Does KSZL publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KSZL 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 Whiteman Air Force Base?
Whiteman Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 01/19, measures 12,400 ft (3780 m) with a CON surface.