Parkes Airport (YPKS)
Medium airport · Parkes, New South Wales, Australia
Airport data
| Name | Parkes Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | YPKS |
| IATA | PKE |
| Elevation | 1,069 ft (326 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 33°7'53" E 148°14'20" -33.13140, 148.23900 |
| Location | Parkes, New South Wales, Australia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22 | 5,525 ft (1684 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 11/29 | 5,322 ft (1622 m) | 98 ft | ASP | No |
Parkes Airport at a glance
Parkes Airport is a medium airport in Parkes, New South Wales, Australia, known to airline systems as PKE. The field elevation of 1,069 ft (326 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at YPKS 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 — 04/22 — offers 5,525 ft (1684 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 YPKS 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 Parkes Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Forbes Airport | YFBS | 38 km (21 NM) |
| Orange Airport | YORG | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Cowra Airport | YCWR | 88 km (48 NM) |
| Narromine Airport | YNRM | 102 km (55 NM) |
| Dubbo City Regional Airport | YSDU | 106 km (57 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Parkes Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,069 ft field elevation of Parkes 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 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 Parkes Airport
What is the ICAO code of Parkes Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Parkes Airport is YPKS, and its IATA code is PKE. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Parkes Airport above sea level?
Parkes Airport sits at an elevation of 1,069 feet (326 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Parkes Airport located?
The airport lies at -33.1314, 148.2390 — in Parkes, New South Wales, Australia, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Forbes Airport, about 38 km away.
Does YPKS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for YPKS 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 Parkes Airport?
Parkes Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 04/22, measures 5,525 ft (1684 m) with a ASP surface.