Soewondo Air Force Base (WIMK)
Medium airport · Medan, Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Indonesia
Airport data
| Name | Soewondo Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | WIMK |
| IATA | MES |
| Elevation | 114 ft (35 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 3°33'30" E 98°40'20" 3.55843, 98.67227 |
| Location | Medan, Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Indonesia |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 9,514 ft (2900 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Soewondo Air Force Base at a glance
Soewondo Air Force Base is a medium airport in Medan, Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Indonesia, known to airline systems as MES. The field elevation of 114 ft (35 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at WIMK 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, 05/23, offers 9,514 ft (2900 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 05 points roughly 50° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for WIMK 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 Soewondo 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kualanamu International Airport | WIMM | 24 km (13 NM) |
| Alas Leuser Airport | WIMU | 92 km (50 NM) |
| Dr. Ferdinand Lumban Tobing Airport | WIMS | 224 km (121 NM) |
| Lhok Sukon Airport | WITL | 230 km (124 NM) |
| Rembele Airport | WITK | 240 km (130 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Soewondo Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 114 ft field elevation of Soewondo 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 83 airports and airfields we list for Indonesia — 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 Soewondo Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Soewondo Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Soewondo Air Force Base is WIMK, and its IATA code is MES. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Soewondo Air Force Base above sea level?
Soewondo Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 114 feet (35 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Soewondo Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at 3.5584, 98.6723 — in Medan, Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Indonesia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Kualanamu International Airport, about 24 km away.
Does WIMK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for WIMK 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 Soewondo Air Force Base?
Soewondo Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 05/23, measures 9,514 ft (2900 m) with a ASP surface.