Engels Air Base (RU-8602)
Medium airport · Saratov, Saratov Oblast, Russia
Airport data
| Name | Engels Air Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | RU-8602 |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 51°28'50" E 46°12'54" 51.48050, 46.21500 |
| Location | Saratov, Saratov Oblast, Russia |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 11,475 ft (3498 m) | 230 ft | CON | Yes |
Engels Air Base at a glance
Engels Air Base is a medium airport in Saratov, Saratov Oblast, Russia. The field elevation of 121 ft (37 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at RU-8602 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, 04/22, offers 11,475 ft (3498 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 04 points roughly 40° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for RU-8602 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 Engels Air Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gagarin International Airport | UWSG | 26 km (14 NM) |
| Bagay-Baranovka Air Base | XWSB | 90 km (49 NM) |
| Balakovo Airport | UWSB | 114 km (62 NM) |
| Lebyazhye Air Base | XRWL | 159 km (86 NM) |
| Rtishchevo Air Base | RU-10047 | 194 km (105 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Engels Air Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 121 ft field elevation of Engels Air 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 255 airports and airfields we list for Russia — 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 Engels Air Base
What is the ICAO code of Engels Air Base?
The ICAO identifier of Engels Air Base is RU-8602, and it has no IATA code assigned. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Engels Air Base above sea level?
Engels Air Base 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 Engels Air Base located?
The airport lies at 51.4805, 46.2150 — in Saratov, Saratov Oblast, Russia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Gagarin International Airport, about 26 km away.
Does RU-8602 publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for RU-8602 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 Engels Air Base?
Engels Air Base has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 11,475 ft (3498 m) with a CON surface.