Natal Air Force Base (SBNT)
Medium airport · Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Airport data
| Name | Natal Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SBNT |
| Elevation | 171 ft (52 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 5°54'41" W 35°14'52" -5.91142, -35.24770 |
| Location | Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30 | 5,987 ft (1825 m) | 148 ft | ASP | No |
| 16L/34R | 8,530 ft (2600 m) | 148 ft | ASP | No |
| 16R/34L | 5,905 ft (1800 m) | 148 ft | ASP | No |
Natal Air Force Base at a glance
Natal Air Force Base is a medium airport in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The field elevation of 171 ft (52 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SBNT are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 16L/34R — offers 8,530 ft (2600 m) of asp surface, without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16L points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SBNT 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 Natal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport | SBSG | 21 km (11 NM) |
| Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport | SBJP | 141 km (76 NM) |
| Presidente João Suassuna Airport | SBKG | 167 km (90 NM) |
| Dix-Sept Rosado Airport | SBMS | 247 km (133 NM) |
| Recife/Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport | SBRF | 249 km (134 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Natal Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 171 ft field elevation of Natal 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 Natal Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Natal Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Natal Air Force Base is SBNT, 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 Natal Air Force Base above sea level?
Natal Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 171 feet (52 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Natal Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at -5.9114, -35.2477 — in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Rio Grande do Norte/São Gonçalo do Amarante–Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport, about 21 km away.
Does SBNT publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SBNT 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 Natal Air Force Base?
Natal Air Force Base has 3 runways. The longest, 16L/34R, measures 8,530 ft (2600 m) with a ASP surface.