Valdez Pioneer Field (PAVD)
Medium airport · Valdez, Alaska, United States
Airport data
| Name | Valdez Pioneer Field |
|---|---|
| ICAO | PAVD |
| IATA | VDZ |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 61°7'58" W 146°14'48" 61.13271, -146.24657 |
| Location | Valdez, Alaska, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 6,500 ft (1981 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Valdez Pioneer Field at a glance
Valdez Pioneer Field is a medium airport in Valdez, Alaska, United States, known to airline systems as VDZ. The field elevation of 121 ft (37 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at PAVD 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, 06/24, offers 6,500 ft (1981 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for PAVD 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 Valdez Pioneer Field
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport | PACV | 83 km (45 NM) |
| Gulkana Airport | PAGK | 121 km (65 NM) |
| Warren "Bud" Woods Palmer Municipal Airport | PAAQ | 160 km (86 NM) |
| Birchwood Airport | PABV | 177 km (96 NM) |
| Wasilla Airport | PAWS | 182 km (98 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Valdez Pioneer Field
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 121 ft field elevation of Valdez Pioneer Field 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 Valdez Pioneer Field
What is the ICAO code of Valdez Pioneer Field?
The ICAO identifier of Valdez Pioneer Field is PAVD, and its IATA code is VDZ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Valdez Pioneer Field above sea level?
Valdez Pioneer Field sits at an elevation of 121 feet (37 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Valdez Pioneer Field located?
The airport lies at 61.1327, -146.2466 — in Valdez, Alaska, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport, about 83 km away.
Does PAVD publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for PAVD 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 Valdez Pioneer Field?
Valdez Pioneer Field has one runway. The longest, 06/24, measures 6,500 ft (1981 m) with a ASP surface.