Prince Sultan Air Base

OEPS / AKH

Al Kharj, SA

Last Updated
Jul 4, 12:55Z

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 10 min ago
12:55Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
45°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 0°C
14 kt
340° G26 kt
9 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1003 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR OEPS 041255Z 34014G26KT 9000 HZ CLR 45/00 A2962 RMK AO2A SLPNO

Weather Briefing

VFR

Prince Sultan Air Base is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 9 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north-northwest (340°) at 14 knots with gusts to 26 knots. Runway 35 is favored with a 14-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component (gusting to 5 knots crosswind). Student pilots and low-time aviators should exercise caution.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 9 km. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 45°C (113°F) with a dewpoint of 0°C, indicating very dry conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Haze, Blowing Dust. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Blowing Dust between 11:00Z and 15:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Blowing Dust between 10:00Z and 15:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1003 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
948 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,651 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,959 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 5,955 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +33.3°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF OEPS 040900Z 0409/0515 VRB05KT 9999 SKC QNH2971INS BECMG 0410/0411 34010G15KT 9000 HZ SKC QNH2967INS TEMPO 0411/0415 34015G25KT 8000 BLDU BECMG 0417/0418 VRB06KT 9999 NSW SKC QNH2964INS BECMG 0509/0510 32010G15KT 9000 HZ SKC QNH2965INS TEMPO 0510/0515 32015G25KT 8000 BLDU TX45/0412Z TN27/0500Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
13:05Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 5 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
17:00Z BECMG
+4h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ 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
  • • 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
EPS
17L
35R ✈️
17R
35L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 17L/35R
Active: 35R
13,123 ft 148 ft ASP 175°
13.8 kt 2.4 kt
10° angle
17R/35L 13,123 ft 148 ft ASPH
13.2 kt 4.8 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - OEPS

9,488 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
90.6%
MVFR
6.7%
IFR
2.2%
LIFR
0.5%

Prince Sultan Air Base enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 90.6% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 8 knots, with gusts recorded up to 856 knots. Temperature extremes range from 5°C to 46°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are October, November, September.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 856 kt
Calm Winds: 7.3%
Direction Distribution:
E
12.1%
N
14%
S
18.7%
W
6.8%
NE
14.3%
NW
5.7%
SE
13.8%
SW
7.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 24.1°C
Range: 5°C to 46°C
5°C 46°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.1%

Best Months for VFR

October November September

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17L/35R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt
Runway 17R/35L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt

Statistics computed from 9,488 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Prince Sultan Air Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: OEPS
IATA Code: AKH
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,651 ft MSL

Location

City: Al Kharj
Country: SA
Latitude: 24.062700°
Longitude: 47.580502°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-3

Runway Information

Runway 17L/35R
Length: 13,123 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 17R/35L
Length: 13,123 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASPH
ILS: No

Nearby Airports

VFR MVFR IFR LIFR No Data

About Prince Sultan Air Base

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

Overview

Prince Sultan Air Base (OEPS) is a medium-sized airport located in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, situated at an elevation of 1,651 feet mean sea level. The base features two parallel runways, each 13,123 feet long with asphalt surfaces, capable of supporting significant military and potentially commercial aviation operations. Its strategic location in central Saudi Arabia provides a critical aviation infrastructure point for regional air activities.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly favorable flying conditions, with VFR conditions present 93.2% of the time. Temperature variations are substantial, ranging from 5°C to 45°C with an average of 22.3°C, which pilots should consider for performance planning. Wind patterns are consistently from the south (180°), averaging 5.6 knots, with excellent visibility averaging 10 statute miles and minimal instances of reduced weather conditions.

Notable Features

Prince Sultan Air Base features twin parallel runways (17L/35R and 17R/35L) aligned in a near-perfect north-south orientation. Both runways demonstrate identical favorable wind conditions, with 100% wind compatibility and minimal average crosswind of 3.2 knots. The airport's elevation of 1,651 feet and geographic positioning in the central Arabian region contribute to its strategic operational capabilities.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect consistently favorable approach conditions, with September, October, and November presenting the best VFR flying weather. The parallel runway configuration allows flexible operations with minimal wind interference. The predictable southern wind pattern and excellent visibility make approaches to either runway 17L/35R or 17R/35L straightforward, with statistically minimal meteorological challenges.

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.