San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is about eight miles north of downtown San Antonio. The large metropolitan airport has three runways servicing air carrier, air cargo, business and general aviation. SAT has class Charlie airspace associated with the airport as well as several military operations areas. High intensity glider activity can be found just 15 miles northwest of the airport on final for runway 13R. San Antonio tower does not have ground radar surveillance. This leads to increased complexity during periods of low visibility at the airport. Pilots need to be aware of the hot spot at the intersection of taxiway Golf and November and their proximity to runway 31L. This is a very busy and congested intersection. View a printable Pilot Handbook of the SAT information found on this Web page.
SAT From the Flight Deck (FTFD) Video Notes
- Airport configuration consists of parallel RWYS 13R/31L and 13L/31R with intersecting RWY 04/22.
- Commercial and Tenant Operations in all quadrants of the airport.
- Hot Spot 1 – ATC will sometimes use RWY 4 to taxi departing aircraft for RWY 31L. When taxiing on RWY 04 make sure that you stop before the RWY 31L hold short line which is painted on RWY 04.
- Hot Spot 2 – Two major taxiways and two runways near the air carrier terminal make this a busy intersection. When cleared to taxi via TWYs N and G, pilots have missed the right turn at TWY G and continued to taxi on TWY N onto RWY 13R/31L without clearance.
- Wrong Runway risk remains with parallel RWYs that are staggered at both ends.
- RWY 13L/31R is a third of the size of RWY 13R/31L.
- Pilots will see RWY 13R first.
- Be cautious about transposing the numbers 1-3 and 3-1.
- TWR has no ground radar. TWR may not see your aircraft during low visibility.
- IMPORTANT: See NOTAMS for closed RWYs and TWYs and Letters to Airmen (LTA).
Below find various SAT-specific information and things to be aware of, as well as general information to inform your preflight planning. This will be reviewed quarterly and updated as needed. This information is to supplement the From the Flight Deck Videos that are produced by the FAA Runway Safety Group. Here you will also find information provided by the local air traffic controllers at the airport where you intend to fly. The information is subject to change. Not for navigation or legal* pre-flight action. Always refer to official pre-flight materials such as, but not limited to, NOTAMs, airport diagrams, VFR charts and airport construction notices for the latest airport-specific details.
SAT Tower Administrative Office
Business Phone 210-805-5507
Open 0800L to 1600L – Monday through Friday
The airspace at SAT is Class C with a 4800’ MSL ceiling. (Refer to Sectional Chart)
Class C Airspace Requirements (CFR §91.130 and AIM 3-1-4; 3-2-4)
| Visibility | 3 statute miles |
| Distance from Clouds | 500 feet below | 1,000 ft above | 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Communications | Establish communications (controller response) |
| Pilot | No special certification required |
| Equipment | Two-way radio, operable radar transponder with altitude reporting and Operating ADS-B |
Hot Spots
HS 1 RWY 04 at RWY 31L. Aircraft taxiing on RWY 04 sometimes fail to hold short of RWY 31L.
HS 2 TWY G and TWY N in close proximity of RWY 31L. Aircraft taxiing northbound on TWY N sometimes fail to make the turn onto TWY G and enter RWY 31L without approval.
Departure
- Verify proper heading prior to starting takeoff roll on all intersection departures.
Landing
- Two parallel RWYs 13L/31R and 13R/31L.
- Wrong Surface Landing risk exists due to closely spaced parallel RWYs and staggered thresholds.
- All aircraft after landing on RWY 13R/31L exiting southwest bound on TWY D are instructed to make a 90 degree turn on TWY G to avoid unusable surface.
Surface Risk – Movement Area
- Radio blind spots: TWY K at approach end RWY 13R and Signature North ramp.
- Aircraft taxiing on RWY 04 northeast bound look for hold short to RWY 31L.
- Aircraft taxiing on TWY N southwest bound look for hold short to RWY 31R.
- TWY L closed northbound.
Additional Cautions
- Heavy Military Training Activity – See Sectional Chart
- APRON East Cargo Ramp intersection of RWY 04/22 and TWY D are requested to apply minimum thrust when crossing the RWY to avoid damage due to jet blast.
- Glider / Soaring Operations approximately 17 miles northwest of the airport during VFR.
- RWY 13R/31L and RWY 13L/31R centerline distance is 990’.
- Military / Commercial pilots refer to Chart Supplement for airport restrictions.
SAT Tower (TWR) operates 24/7
Traffic Patterns
- All runways: Left traffic unless specified by SAT tower.
Ground
- For the most current Taxiway and Runway closures be sure to contact SAT Ground Control on 121.9. Clearance Delivery on 126.7.
Take-off/Departure
- Noise sensitive areas exist on all sides of airport, at pilots' discretion climb as quickly and quietly as safely possible on departure and use consideration when flying over populated areas by minimizing flight and high power settings.
- Due to close proximity to Military Airport, best rate of climb is suggested when departing off Runway 4.
Arrival/Landing
- All aircraft after landing on RWY 13R/31L exiting southwest bound on TWY D to make 90 degree turn on TWY G to avoid unusable surface.
- Frequent rubber accumulation NW 2500’ RWY 13R/31L.
Special Traffic (Military / Commercial / Helicopter, etc.)
- MILITARY AIRCRAFT: departing and arriving aircraft will use minimum power setting consistent with aircraft flight manuals; afterburner takeoff is prohibited unless required for safety of flight.
- No arresting gear available.
- Foreign military aircraft with wingspan less than 100 feet must report to GA ramp Fed Inspection station for Customs processing, Contact Airport Management at 210-207-3433.
- Heavy Military Training Activity – See Sectional Chart
- All international general aviation clear U.S. Customs at North Fixed Base Operator Ramp east side. Call U.S. Customs 210-821-6865 upon arrival.