Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field

KNPA / NPA

Pensacola, US

Last Updated
Jun 17, 08:56Z

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 23 min ago
08:56Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
26°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 24°C
6 kt
200°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1011 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KNPA 170856Z AUTO 20006KT 10SM CLR 26/24 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP114 60000 T02560239 58009 $

Weather Briefing

VFR

Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south-southwest (200°) at 6 knots. Runway 19 is favored with a 6-knot headwind and 1-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 26°C (79°F) with a dewpoint of 24°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. IFR conditions are expected to persist or develop. An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are recommended. Expected weather includes: Thunderstorm Rain. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain between 10:00Z and 16:00Z. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain between 20:00Z and 00:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. 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
1011 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1010 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (28 ft)
Pressure Alt
96 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,423 ft
ISA Deviation: +11.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KNPA 170700Z 1707/1807 VRB06KT 9999 VCTS SCT010 BKN030CB BKN100 QNH2984INS TEMPO 1710/1716 VRB15G30KT 3200 TSRA BECMG 1718/1720 19010G20KT 9999 VCTS BKN020CB BKN050 QNH2982INS TEMPO 1720/1800 VRB15G30KT 3200 TSRA FM180200 15010G20KT 9999 VCSH SCT020 BKN050 OVC100 QNH2982INS AUTOMATED SENSOR METWATCH 1707 TIL 1711 TX29/1719Z TN26/1712Z FN00324
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
09:18Z BASE
+0h
MVFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
10:00Z TEMPO
+1h
IFR VRB 15 kt
Visibility: 3.2 km
Thunderstorm Rain
18:00Z BECMG
+9h
MVFR 190° 10 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
Ceiling: 2,000 ft
20:00Z TEMPO
+11h
IFR VRB 15 kt
Visibility: 3.2 km
Thunderstorm Rain

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
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  • • Click legend items to toggle data series
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  • • 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
Active: 19
7,137 ft 200 ft ASP
5.9 kt 1.0 kt
10° angle
07L/25R 8,002 ft 200 ft ASP 68°
4.0 kt 4.5 kt
132° angle
07R/25L 8,001 ft 200 ft ASP 68°
4.0 kt 4.5 kt
132° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KNPA

11,734 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
71.3%
MVFR
15.1%
IFR
6.1%
LIFR
7.5%

Naval Air Station Pensacola Forrest Sherman Field typically experiences VFR conditions 71.3% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 13.6% 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, June, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: N (0°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 22 kt
Calm Winds: 19.5%
Direction Distribution:
E
12.4%
N
17.7%
S
11.7%
W
2.4%
NE
7.2%
NW
7.2%
SE
13%
SW
8.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 18.3°C
Range: -6°C to 33°C
-6°C 33°C

Visibility

Average: 9.5 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.9%
Fog Frequency: 2.8%

Best Months for VFR

September June October

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 11,734 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.