Fairchild Air Force Base

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

Overview

Fairchild Air Force Base is a medium-sized military airport located near Spokane, Washington, serving critical Air Force operations in the Pacific Northwest. Situated at an elevation of 2,461 feet MSL, the base hosts significant military aviation infrastructure and supports strategic Air Force missions. Its single runway, 05/23, extends an impressive 13,901 feet, accommodating large military aircraft and providing substantial operational flexibility.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Fairchild AFB demonstrate significant variability, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions prevailing 57.3% of the time. Pilots should anticipate challenging conditions, as Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Low Instrument Flight Rules (LIFR) collectively account for 30.3% of observations. Temperature ranges from -9°C to 30°C, with an average of 5°C, and winds predominantly from the southwest at an average of 7.8 knots, occasionally gusting to 35 knots.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic location in eastern Washington creates unique meteorological characteristics, with potential for rapid weather changes. Visibility averages 9 statute miles, though fog occurs in 12% of observations and visibility can drop below 3 miles in 3.7% of cases. Pilots should be particularly attentive during winter months and be prepared for potential low-visibility scenarios.

Approach Considerations

Runway 05/23 offers highly favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and a low average crosswind of 2.8 knots. September, October, and November represent the most consistently favorable VFR months for operations. Pilots should reference current METARs and forecast data, given the airport's potential for significant weather variability.