RAAF Base East Sale (YMES)
Medium airport · Victoria, Australia
Airport data
| Name | RAAF Base East Sale |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YMES |
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 38°5'56" E 147°8'56" -38.09890, 147.14900 |
| Location | Victoria, Australia |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 7,995 ft (2437 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 09/27 | 7,316 ft (2230 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
RAAF Base East Sale at a glance
RAAF Base East Sale is a medium airport in Victoria, Australia. The field elevation of 23 ft (7 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YMES are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 04/22 — offers 7,995 ft (2437 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 YMES 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 RAAF Base East Sale
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| West Sale Airport | YWSL | 16 km (9 NM) |
| Bairnsdale Airport | YBNS | 44 km (24 NM) |
| Latrobe Valley Airport | YLTV | 61 km (33 NM) |
| Mount Hotham Airport | YHOT | 118 km (64 NM) |
| Melbourne Moorabbin Airport | YMMB | 180 km (97 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for RAAF Base East Sale
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 23 ft field elevation of RAAF Base East Sale 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 194 airports and airfields we list for Australia — 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 RAAF Base East Sale
What is the ICAO code of RAAF Base East Sale?
The ICAO identifier of RAAF Base East Sale is YMES, 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 RAAF Base East Sale above sea level?
RAAF Base East Sale sits at an elevation of 23 feet (7 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is RAAF Base East Sale located?
The airport lies at -38.0989, 147.1490 — in Victoria, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is West Sale Airport, about 16 km away.
Does YMES publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YMES 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 RAAF Base East Sale?
RAAF Base East Sale has 2 runways. The longest, 04/22, measures 7,995 ft (2437 m) with a ASP surface.