Imagine preparing to land your aircraft under sunny California skies at Napa County Airport when a clear, authoritative instruction comes through your radio: "Attention runway crossing clearance! All runway hold instructions must be read back!" This isn't merely a routine reminder—it's a critical safety enhancement recently implemented at Napa County Airport (APC). This report examines the airport's latest operational upgrades to provide pilots with comprehensive flight information.
Geographic Profile and Airport Overview
Located in California between coordinates 38°12.5'N to 38°13.5'N and 122°16.5'W to 122°17.0'W, Napa County Airport sits at an elevation of 36 feet. The compactly designed aviation hub serves both general and business aviation with multiple runways and apron areas.
Runway Specifications and Load Capacity
The airport features several runways with distinct weight-bearing capabilities:
- Runway 06-24: PCN 21 R/C/W/T
- Runway 01R-19L: Supports single-wheel S-102, dual-wheel D-134, and dual-tandem 2D-120 aircraft (PCN 41 F/D/X/T)
- Runway 01L-19R: Accommodates single-wheel S-60, dual-wheel D-76, and dual-tandem 2D-120 aircraft
These pavement classification numbers (PCN) are essential for pilots to select appropriate runways based on their aircraft's weight distribution.
Critical Safety Protocol: Runway Crossing and Instruction Readback
Napa Airport has instituted mandatory readback requirements for all runway holding instructions—a measure designed to prevent potential runway incursions. Pilots must verbally confirm all hold instructions to verify proper understanding before proceeding.
Communication Frequencies and Navigation Data
Key radio frequencies for airport operations include:
- ATIS: 124.05 MHz
- Clearance Delivery: 127.85 MHz
- Ground Control: 121.7 MHz
- Tower: 118.7 MHz (primary), 257.8 MHz (secondary)
Facilities and Services
The airport offers comprehensive amenities:
- General Aviation Terminal
- Multiple hangar facilities
- Designated parking areas including North/South FBO parking
- Transient aircraft parking
Magnetic Variation and Annual Change
The local magnetic variation measures 13.1° East with an annual westward shift of 0.1°—critical data for precise navigation adjustments.
Operational Considerations
Additional flight operation details:
- Runway 18 features a 0.3% upward slope
- California Highway 38 runs adjacent to the airport
- Obstacles including utility poles require vigilance
- Maintenance scheduled for SW-2 area (December 25, 2025 - January 22, 2026)
Pilots should consult the current FAA AL-281 airport diagram for detailed layout information.