South Alabama Regional At Bill Benton Field Airport

K79J

Andalusia/Opp, US

Last Updated
Mar 5, 06:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 11 min ago
06:56Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
15°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 14°C
3 kt
170°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1021 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR K79J 050656Z AUTO 17003KT 3/4SM BR VV002 15/14 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP210 T01500144 TSNO
QNH
1021 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1011 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (310 ft)
Pressure Alt
78 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 152 ft
ISA Deviation: +0.6°C

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
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  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
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Airport Runway Layout

N
79J
11 ✈️
29

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 11/29
Active: 11
5,001 ft 100 ft ASP 107°
1.5 kt 2.6 kt
60° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - K79J

7,239 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
66.5%
MVFR
15.1%
IFR
9.5%
LIFR
9%

South Alabama Regional At Bill Benton Field Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 66.5% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 18.5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 6.3 knots. Calm conditions occur 36.1% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -7°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are March, September, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 6.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 23 kt
Calm Winds: 36.1%
Direction Distribution:
N
8.6%
NE
6.2%
E
12.8%
SE
2.1%
S
2.9%
SW
8%
W
9%
NW
14.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 15°C
Range: -7°C to 36°C
-7°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 2.5%
Fog Frequency: 5.8%

Best Months for VFR

March September October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 11/29
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.6 kt

Statistics computed from 7,239 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

South Alabama Regional At Bill Benton Field Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: K79J
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 310 ft MSL

Location

City: Andalusia/Opp
Country: US
Latitude: 31.308800°
Longitude: -86.393799°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 11/29
Length: 5,001 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About South Alabama Regional At Bill Benton Field Airport

Overview

South Alabama Regional At Bill Benton Field Airport serves the Andalusia/Opp area in southern Alabama as a medium-sized regional airport. Located at 31.308800, -86.393799 with an elevation of 310 feet MSL, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the local region, supporting various general aviation and regional transportation needs.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly VFR conditions at this airport, with 67% of observations reporting visual flight rules. Temperature ranges from -5°C to 36°C, with an average of 15.9°C. Seasonal variations show September, October, and November as the most favorable months for flying, with consistently good visibility averaging 8.9 statute miles.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (11/29) measuring 5,001 feet with an asphalt surface. Wind patterns are characterized by easterly prevailing winds at 90 degrees, with an average speed of 5.9 knots and a maximum recorded speed of 20 knots. Calm wind conditions occur 38.2% of the time, providing relatively stable flying conditions.

Approach Considerations

Runway 11/29 offers favorable wind alignment 100% of the time, with an average crosswind of only 3.4 knots. Pilots should be prepared for occasional reduced visibility, as 6.5% of observations report fog conditions and 2.8% of reports indicate visibility below 3 statute miles. These factors suggest careful pre-flight planning and potential weather monitoring are advisable.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.