Hévíz–Balaton Airport (LHSM)
Medium airport · Sármellék, Zala County, Hungary
Airport data
| Name | Hévíz–Balaton Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | LHSM |
| IATA | SOB |
| Elevation | 408 ft (124 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 46°41'11" E 17°9'33" 46.68639, 17.15908 |
| Location | Sármellék, Zala County, Hungary |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/34 | 8,202 ft (2500 m) | 197 ft | CON | Yes |
Hévíz–Balaton Airport at a glance
Hévíz–Balaton Airport is a medium airport in Sármellék, Zala County, Hungary, known to airline systems as SOB. The field elevation of 408 ft (124 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at LHSM are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 16/34, offers 8,202 ft (2500 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for LHSM 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 Hévíz–Balaton Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Taszár Air Base | LHTA | 67 km (36 NM) |
| Pécs-Pogány International Airport | LHPP | 114 km (62 NM) |
| Maribor Edvard Rusjan Airport | LJMB | 115 km (62 NM) |
| Győr-Pér Airport | LHPR | 116 km (63 NM) |
| Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport | LDZA | 134 km (72 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Hévíz–Balaton Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 408 ft field elevation of Hévíz–Balaton 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 10 airports and airfields we list for Hungary — 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 Hévíz–Balaton Airport
What is the ICAO code of Hévíz–Balaton Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Hévíz–Balaton Airport is LHSM, and its IATA code is SOB. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Hévíz–Balaton Airport above sea level?
Hévíz–Balaton Airport sits at an elevation of 408 feet (124 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Hévíz–Balaton Airport located?
The airport lies at 46.6864, 17.1591 — in Sármellék, Zala County, Hungary, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Taszár Air Base, about 67 km away.
Does LHSM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for LHSM 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 Hévíz–Balaton Airport?
Hévíz–Balaton Airport has one runway. The longest, 16/34, measures 8,202 ft (2500 m) with a CON surface.