Pichoy Airport (SCVD)
Medium airport · Valdivia, Los Ríos Region, Chile
Airport data
| Name | Pichoy Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | SCVD |
| IATA | ZAL |
| Elevation | 59 ft (18 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 39°39'0" W 73°5'10" -39.65000, -73.08610 |
| Location | Valdivia, Los Ríos Region, Chile |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/35 | 6,870 ft (2094 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Pichoy Airport at a glance
Pichoy Airport is a medium airport in Valdivia, Los Ríos Region, Chile, known to airline systems as ZAL. The field elevation of 59 ft (18 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at SCVD are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 17/35, offers 6,870 ft (2094 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 17 points roughly 170° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for SCVD 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 Pichoy Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| La Araucanía International Airport | SCQP | 89 km (48 NM) |
| Maquehue Airport | SCTC | 106 km (57 NM) |
| Cañal Bajo Carlos Hott Siebert Airport | SCJO | 107 km (58 NM) |
| Victoria Airport | SCTO | 169 km (91 NM) |
| Aviador C. Campos Airport | SAZY | 173 km (93 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Pichoy Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 59 ft field elevation of Pichoy 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 Pichoy Airport
What is the ICAO code of Pichoy Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Pichoy Airport is SCVD, and its IATA code is ZAL. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Pichoy Airport above sea level?
Pichoy Airport sits at an elevation of 59 feet (18 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Pichoy Airport located?
The airport lies at -39.6500, -73.0861 — in Valdivia, Los Ríos Region, Chile, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is La Araucanía International Airport, about 89 km away.
Does SCVD publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for SCVD 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 Pichoy Airport?
Pichoy Airport has one runway. The longest, 17/35, measures 6,870 ft (2094 m) with a ASP surface.