Santa Maria Airport (SBSM)
Medium airport · Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Airport data
| Name | Santa Maria Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SBSM |
| IATA | RIA |
| Elevation | 287 ft (87 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 29°42'41" W 53°41'18" -29.71140, -53.68820 |
| Location | Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 4,638 ft (1414 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 11/29 | 8,839 ft (2694 m) | 148 ft | CON | Yes |
Santa Maria Airport at a glance
Santa Maria Airport is a medium airport in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, known to airline systems as RIA. The field elevation of 287 ft (87 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SBSM are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 11/29 — offers 8,839 ft (2694 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 11 points roughly 110° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SBSM 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 Santa Maria Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Santo Ângelo Airport | SBNM | 166 km (90 NM) |
| Comandante Gustavo Kraemer Airport | SBBG | 191 km (103 NM) |
| Lauro Kurtz Airport | SBPF | 210 km (113 NM) |
| Pres. Gral. Óscar D. Gestido Binational Airport | SURV | 222 km (120 NM) |
| Porto Alegre-Salgado Filho International Airport | SBPA | 245 km (132 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Santa Maria Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 287 ft field elevation of Santa Maria 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 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 Santa Maria Airport
What is the ICAO code of Santa Maria Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Santa Maria Airport is SBSM, and its IATA code is RIA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Santa Maria Airport above sea level?
Santa Maria Airport sits at an elevation of 287 feet (87 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Santa Maria Airport located?
The airport lies at -29.7114, -53.6882 — in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Santo Ângelo Airport, about 166 km away.
Does SBSM publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SBSM 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 Santa Maria Airport?
Santa Maria Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 11/29, measures 8,839 ft (2694 m) with a CON surface.