Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport (SCCH)
Medium airport · Chillan, Ñuble Region, Chile
Airport data
| Name | Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SCCH |
| IATA | YAI |
| Elevation | 495 ft (151 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 36°34'57" W 72°1'53" -36.58250, -72.03140 |
| Location | Chillan, Ñuble Region, Chile |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 5,740 ft (1750 m) | 98 ft | ASP | Yes |
Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport at a glance
Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport is a medium airport in Chillan, Ñuble Region, Chile, known to airline systems as YAI. The field elevation of 495 ft (151 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SCCH 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 5,740 ft (1750 m) of asp 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 SCCH 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 Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Carriel Sur International Airport | SCIE | 94 km (51 NM) |
| Panguilemo Airport | SCTL | 139 km (75 NM) |
| Victoria Airport | SCTO | 187 km (101 NM) |
| Maquehue Airport | SCTC | 249 km (134 NM) |
| Comodoro D.R. Salomón Airport | SAMM | 252 km (136 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 495 ft field elevation of Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins 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 33 airports and airfields we list for Chile — 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 Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport
What is the ICAO code of Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport is SCCH, and its IATA code is YAI. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport above sea level?
Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport sits at an elevation of 495 feet (151 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport located?
The airport lies at -36.5825, -72.0314 — in Chillan, Ñuble Region, Chile, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Carriel Sur International Airport, about 94 km away.
Does SCCH publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SCCH 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 Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport?
Gral. Bernardo O´Higgins Airport has one runway. The longest, 04/22, measures 5,740 ft (1750 m) with a ASP surface.