Istres-Le Tubé Air Base

LFMI

Istres, Bouches-du-Rhône, FR

Last Updated
Mar 4, 20:30Z

Military Airport

Restricted

Base aérienne militaire. L'accès civil est restreint sauf autorisation spéciale.

Access Notes:

Bases Aériennes closed to civil traffic; consult SIA France for details

Consult official AIP (SIA France ENR 5.2) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 45 min ago
20:30Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
14°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 7°C
7 kt
70°
--
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1023 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR LFMI 042030Z AUTO 07007KT CAVOK 14/07 Q1023 NOSIG
QNH
1023 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1020 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (82 ft)
Pressure Alt
-211 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -311 ft
ISA Deviation: -0.8°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF LFMI 042000Z 0421/0521 09008KT CAVOK TX19/0514Z TN12/0505Z TEMPO 0510/0512 25010KT FEW080TCU TEMPO 0518/0521 10015G25KT SHRA SCT060TCU
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
21:14Z BASE
+0h
VFR 90° 8 kt
Visibility: >10km

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
  • • Hover for exact values and timestamps
  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
  • • Zoom and pan for detailed analysis
  • • Units automatically converted to preferences
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
FMI
15 ✈️
33

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 15/33
Active: 15
12,303 ft 197 ft ASP 153°
1.2 kt 6.9 kt
80° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - LFMI

7,928 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
81.3%
MVFR
12.2%
IFR
5.6%
LIFR
1%

Istres-Le Tubé Air Base enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 81.3% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 9.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 43 knots. Temperature extremes range from -3°C to 29°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, November, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 9.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 43 kt
Calm Winds: 0.7%
Direction Distribution:
N
22.6%
NE
13.1%
E
22.6%
SE
7.6%
S
4.7%
SW
2.5%
W
8.4%
NW
17.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 12.1°C
Range: -3°C to 29°C
-3°C 29°C

Visibility

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

Best Months for VFR

October November September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 15/33
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.9 kt

Statistics computed from 7,928 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Istres-Le Tubé Air Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: LFMI
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 82 ft MSL

Location

City: Istres, Bouches-du-Rhône
Country: FR
Latitude: 43.522701°
Longitude: 4.923840°
Time Zone: Europe/Brussels

Runway Information

Runway 15/33
Length: 12,303 ft
Width: 197 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Istres-Le Tubé Air Base

Istres-Le Tubé Air Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the FR AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Istres-Le Tubé Air Base is a medium-sized airport located in southeastern France, situated in the Bouches-du-Rhône department near Marseille. The base sits at 82 feet above mean sea level and serves military and potentially civilian aviation operations. Its strategic location provides critical infrastructure for regional air activities.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions 83.3% of the time, with excellent overall weather predictability. Wind patterns are notably consistent, with a northern prevailing direction at an average speed of 9.6 knots and maximum gusts reaching 37 knots. Temperature variations range from -3°C to 29°C, with an average of 12.7°C, suggesting pilots should be prepared for moderate climate fluctuations.

Notable Features

The airport features a substantial runway 15/33 measuring 12,303 feet with an asphalt surface, capable of accommodating various aircraft types. Geographically positioned near the Mediterranean coast, the airport likely experiences maritime atmospheric influences. Wind data indicates minimal calm periods (0.7%), suggesting consistent air movement that can impact flight operations.

Approach Considerations

Runway 15/33 demonstrates highly favorable wind conditions, with 100% wind compatibility and a modest average crosswind of 4.8 knots. October, November, and January represent the most consistent VFR months for approaches and departures. Pilots can expect good visibility averaging 10 statute miles, with rare instances of reduced visibility or fog (1.8% occurrence).

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.