Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field

KNPA / NPA

Pensacola, US

Last Updated
Jun 10, 15:56Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a U.S. military installation. Civil aircraft operations are generally prohibited without prior authorization.

Access Notes:

Most military airfields closed to civil traffic; some joint-use exceptions exist

Consult official AIP (FAA AIP GEN 3.3) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 28 min ago
15:56Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
29°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 20°C
6 kt
Variable
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1019 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KNPA 101556Z VRB06KT 10SM FEW030 SCT250 29/20 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP186 T02940200 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 28 ft
FEW 3,000 ft AGL
SCT 25,000 ft AGL
🌤️
FEW
Few (1/8-2/8 sky coverage)
3,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,028 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
25,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
25,028 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 25,000 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the variable directions at 6 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: few at 3,000 ft, scattered at 25,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 29°C (84°F) with a dewpoint of 20°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Mist. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Mist between 09:00Z and 12:00Z.

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
1019 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1018 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (28 ft)
Pressure Alt
-145 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,542 ft
ISA Deviation: +14.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KNPA 1015/1115 06006KT 9999 FEW030 FEW250 QNH3003INS FM101700 15008KT 9999 FEW040 FEW250 QNH2995INS WND 20008KT AFT 1019 FM110100 VRB03KT 9999 SKC QNH2993INS TEMPO 1109/1112 8000 BR FEW010 FM111200 17005KT 9999 FEW010 FEW250 QNH2996INS TX31/1019Z TN23/1112Z FN20033
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
16:23Z BASE
+0h
VFR 60° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
17:00Z FM101700
+1h
LIFR 200° 8 kt
Visibility: 1.019 km
01:00Z FM110100
+9h
VFR VRB 3 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
NPA
01
19
07L
25R
07R
25L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
01/19 7,137 ft 200 ft ASP No wind data
07L/25R 8,002 ft 200 ft ASP 68° No wind data
07R/25L 8,001 ft 200 ft ASP 68° No wind data
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KNPA

11,518 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
70.9%
MVFR
15.3%
IFR
6.2%
LIFR
7.6%

Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field typically experiences VFR conditions 70.9% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 13.8% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the N averaging 7.7 knots. Calm conditions occur 19.5% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -6°C to 33°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, October, June.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 22 kt
Calm Winds: 19.5%
Direction Distribution:
N
18%
NE
7.3%
E
12.6%
SE
13.2%
S
11.5%
SW
8.5%
W
2.3%
NW
7.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 18.2°C
Range: -6°C to 33°C
-6°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.5 SM
Below 3 SM: 2%
Fog Frequency: 2.8%

Best Months for VFR

September October June

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 01/19
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.4 kt
Runway 07L/25R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.6 kt
Runway 07R/25L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 5.6 kt

Statistics computed from 11,518 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KNPA
IATA Code: NPA
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 28 ft MSL

Location

City: Pensacola
Country: US
Latitude: 30.352699°
Longitude: -87.318604°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 01/19
Length: 7,137 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 07L/25R
Length: 8,002 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 07R/25L
Length: 8,001 ft
Width: 200 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field

Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field 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

Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field serves as a critical naval aviation training facility located in the Florida panhandle. Situated at an elevation of 28 feet MSL near Pensacola, the airport supports military aviation operations with three substantial asphalt runways ranging from 7,137 to 8,002 feet in length. Its strategic location provides an ideal environment for pilot training and military aviation activities.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at KNPA are predominantly VFR, with 70.7% of observations showing good flying conditions. Temperatures range from -3°C to 33°C, with an average of 17.2°C, offering generally stable flying weather. Wind patterns are predominantly northerly at an average of 7.1 knots, with calm conditions occurring 23.5% of the time. September, October, and November represent the most favorable VFR months for aviation operations.

Notable Features

The airport features three parallel runways with excellent wind coverage, each oriented to accommodate prevailing wind conditions. All three runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with minimal average crosswind components ranging from 3.9 to 4.9 knots. Visibility averages 9.3 statute miles, with only 2.9% of observations showing visibility below 3 statute miles and occasional fog at 4.7% of recorded times.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect consistent approach conditions across the three runways, with Runway 01/19, 07L/25R, and 07R/25L all providing reliable landing options. The low elevation and coastal location suggest potential for variable wind conditions, though the data indicates generally mild wind characteristics. Approaches should consider the average 7.1-knot winds and potential for occasional reduced visibility during foggy conditions.

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.