Santa Cruz Air Force Base

SBSC / SNZ

Rio de Janeiro, BR

Last Updated
Feb 17, 06:00Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a military aerodrome. Civil aircraft access may be restricted or require prior authorization. Consult the applicable AIP for current access procedures.

Consult the applicable national AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 21 min ago
06:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
25°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 22°C
6 kt
360°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR SBSC 170600Z 36006KT CAVOK 25/22 Q1013

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF SBSC 162100Z 1700/1712 35005KT 8000 SCT035 TN25/1709Z TX28/1711Z PROB30 1700/1703 BKN040 RMK PDE
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
06:20Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 350° 5 kt
Visibility: 8 km

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
BSC
5 ✈️
23

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 5/23
Active: 5
8,986 ft 148 ft ASP
3.9 kt 4.6 kt
50° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - SBSC

3,533 observations | Sep 2025 - Feb 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
74.2%
MVFR
20.8%
IFR
4.6%
LIFR
0.4%

Santa Cruz Air Force Base typically experiences VFR conditions 74.2% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 6.6 knots. Temperatures typically range between 14°C and 39°C with an average of 24.6°C. The best months for VFR flying are September, December, January.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 6.6 kt
Maximum Recorded: 23 kt
Calm Winds: 1.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
26%
NE
9.6%
E
6.1%
SE
9.3%
S
22.9%
SW
11.4%
W
4.6%
NW
8.6%

Temperature Range

Average: 24.6°C
Range: 14°C to 39°C
14°C 39°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0%

Best Months for VFR

September December January

Statistics computed from 3,533 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Feb 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Santa Cruz Air Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: SBSC
IATA Code: SNZ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 10 ft MSL

Location

City: Rio de Janeiro
Country: BR
Latitude: -22.932400°
Longitude: -43.719101°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+3

Runway Information

Runway 5/23
Length: 8,986 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Santa Cruz Air Force Base

Santa Cruz Air Force Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the BR AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Santa Cruz Air Force Base (SBSC) is a medium-sized airport located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, serving military and potentially civilian aviation operations. Situated at a low elevation of 10 feet mean sea level, the airport provides strategic air access in the southeastern coastal region of Brazil.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly favorable visual flight conditions, with 75.7% of observations reporting VFR weather. The airport experiences consistent southerly winds averaging 6.8 knots, with occasional gusts up to 23 knots. Temperature ranges from 14°C to 39°C, with an average of 24.2°C, suggesting potential thermal variations during flight operations.

Notable Features

The airport features a single runway (5/23) with a substantial length of 8,986 feet, constructed with asphalt surface. Its coastal location near Rio de Janeiro implies potential maritime weather influences, though the data indicates minimal fog and consistent visibility averaging 10 statute miles.

Approach Considerations

Given the prevailing southerly winds, runway 23 may offer more favorable landing conditions with wind alignment. The consistently high percentage of VFR conditions (75.7%) suggests reliable visual approach opportunities, particularly during the peak VFR months of September, December, and January.

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.