Canoas Air Force Base (SBCO)
Medium airport · Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Airport data
| Name | Canoas Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SBCO |
| IATA | QNS |
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 29°56'45" W 51°8'40" -29.94593, -51.14441 |
| Location | Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/31 | 9,026 ft (2751 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Canoas Air Force Base at a glance
Canoas Air Force Base is a medium airport in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, known to airline systems as QNS. The field elevation of 26 ft (8 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SBCO 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, 13/31, offers 9,026 ft (2751 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 13 points roughly 130° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SBCO 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 Canoas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Porto Alegre-Salgado Filho International Airport | SBPA | 6 km (3 NM) |
| Hugo Cantergiani Regional Airport | SBCX | 83 km (45 NM) |
| Forquilhinha - Criciúma Airport | SSIM | 215 km (116 NM) |
| Lauro Kurtz Airport | SBPF | 221 km (119 NM) |
| João Simões Lopes Neto International Airport | SBPK | 227 km (123 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Canoas Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 26 ft field elevation of Canoas 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 138 airports and airfields we list for Brazil — 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 Canoas Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Canoas Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Canoas Air Force Base is SBCO, and its IATA code is QNS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Canoas Air Force Base above sea level?
Canoas Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 26 feet (8 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Canoas Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at -29.9459, -51.1444 — in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Porto Alegre-Salgado Filho International Airport, about 6 km away.
Does SBCO publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SBCO 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 Canoas Air Force Base?
Canoas Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 13/31, measures 9,026 ft (2751 m) with a ASP surface.