Shaw Air Force Base

Shaw 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

Shaw Air Force Base serves as a critical military aviation facility located in Sumter, South Carolina. As a medium airport situated at 241 feet above mean sea level, it supports USAF operations with two substantial concrete runways. The base's strategic location in the southeastern United States provides significant operational capabilities for military aviation.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly VFR conditions, with 75% of observed weather patterns supporting visual flight rules. Temperature variations are substantial, ranging from -8°C to 36°C, with an average of 14.2°C. Wind patterns are predominantly from the northeast at 45 degrees, with an average speed of 7.1 knots and occasional peaks up to 28 knots, with calm conditions occurring 21% of the time.

Notable Features

The airport features two parallel runways: 04L/22R at 10,016 feet and 04R/22L at 8,001 feet, both constructed of concrete. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with an average crosswind of just 3.2 knots. Visibility is generally excellent, averaging 9.5 statute miles, with only 1.3% of observations showing visibility below 3 miles.

Approach Considerations

October, November, and January represent the most favorable months for VFR operations, offering consistently stable flying conditions. The runways' parallel configuration and consistent wind patterns provide flexible approach options. Pilots should be prepared for occasional reduced visibility, with fog present in 2.5% of observations and potential for MVFR or IFR conditions in approximately 24.9% of weather reports.