Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS)
Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is a medium-sized airport that provides service to aircraft with a wide range of performance capabilities and the mix of commercial air carrier, corporate and general aviation operations. It is located northwest of the city of Santa Rosa, California. During a wildfire season that lasts from late spring to early winter, STS will see intense periods of high traffic due to firefighting aircraft activity. View a printable Pilot Handbook of the STS information found on this Web page.
Know Before You Go
- Hot Spots 3 and 4 are located on the north side of the airport.
- A unique feature of the airport is that small piston aircraft are taxied with a clearance limit of the North run-up area and not the departure runway.
- Clearance must be obtained prior to leaving the run-up area for runway assignment.
- TWR will normally issue RWY 20 full length at TWY H, or
- RWY 14 at TWY A3
- The RWY 20 approach hold line is on TWY A. Aircraft that are taxied to RWY 14 may receive control instructions to hold short of RWY 20 Approach.
- Aircraft that are taxied from the North Run-up Pad to RWY 20 via TWY H sometimes make a slight right turn and end up crossing the RWY 20 Approach Hold Line.
- Pilots have missed the run-up area completely and continued to taxi on TWY A across the RWY 20 Approach Hold Line.
- Non-compliance with taxi instructions has resulted in arrivals executing a “go-around” on RWY 20 for taxiing aircraft.
- Hot Spot 4 is located at the intersection of RWY 14/32 and RWY 02/20. Pilots have been cleared for takeoff on one runway but departed the other. Pilots should verify heading and alignment prior to departing.
- Hot Spot 1 occurs at the intersection of TWY A, TWY A5 and TWY Z. Pilots need to be aware of their position and clearance to avoid taxiing onto RWY 14/32.
- Hot Spot 2 is located at the south end of the airport and is a reminder for pilots that a portion of the south run-up area is not visible from the tower.
Below find various STS-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.
STS Tower Administrative Office
Business Phone 707-546-4294
Open 0930 to 1630 Local – Monday through Friday
The airspace at STS is Class D with a 2600’ MSL ceiling. (Refer to Sectional Chart)
Class D Airspace Requirements (CFR §91.129 and AIM 3-1-4; 3-2-5)
| 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 |
Hot Spots
- HS 1 Complex intersection in close proximity to RWY 14/32. Aircraft approaching TWY A from the ramp or TWY Z sometimes fail to turn onto TWY A and enter RWY 14/32 without approval.
- HS 2 South Run–up area not visible from the TWR.
- HS 3 North Run–up area east of TWY A and TWY H intersection in close proximity of RWY 20 Approach Hold sometimes confuses pilots.
- HS 4 Wrong RWY departure risk. Pilots cleared for takeoff RWY 20 sometimes turn onto and depart RWY 14. Verify heading and alignment with proper RWY prior to departing.
Departure
- Verify proper heading prior to starting takeoff roll on all intersection departures.
- Wrong runway departure exists here.
- Pilots should review taxiway/runway markings, heading/alignment, lighting and signage to ensure that they are departing the assigned runway.
Surface Risk – Movement Area
- TWR has limited visibility of T-Hangar aprons east of TWY Z adjacent to TWY A5.
Landing See Arrival Alert Notices (AAN).
- Wrong Surface Landing risk exists here.
- Pilots should review taxiway/runway markings, heading/alignment, lighting and signage to ensure that they are departing the assigned runway.
Additional Cautions
- Numerous flocks of birds in vicinity of airport, including seasonally migratory geese. Deer on and in vicinity of airport.
- Read back all RWY or RUN-UP AREA assignments and HOLD SHORT instructions.
STS Tower (TWR) operates from 0700L - 2000L
When TWR closed:
- The airspace becomes class G.
- Use CTAF 118.5
- Use CTAF for RWY lighting
- For Clearance Delivery contact Oakland Center at 510-745-3380.
- Cancelling Flight Plan – With Oakland Center or Flight Service
General
- Santa Rosa Valley has a Southeast to Northwest alignment so use caution when reporting inbound from the SOUTH or NORTH, you may be SOUTHEAST or NORTHWEST and that makes a difference in pattern entry.
Traffic Pattern
- Pilots remaining in the pattern can expect to continue in closed traffic on the west side of the airport, I.E. Right Traffic RWY 14.
Ground
- There is no restaurant/transient parking so expect taxi instructions to one of the FBO’s.
Takeoff/Departure
- When finished with your run up in the NORTH RUN-UP AREA, hold your position and contact TWR on 118.5 for a RWY assignment. Expect to depart from RWY 14 @ A3 adjacent to the Run-Up Area or if assigned, RWY 20 from H, also adjacent to the Run-Up Area.
Arrival/Landing
- When arriving from the E - S on a RWY 14 day, controllers will assign Left or Right “TRAFFIC” with the intent that pilots will enter on the 45 to remain clear of the RWY 14 departure corridor.
- When extended on the LEFT DOWNWIND to RWY 14, the valley tapers to the NW and leads pilots into the FINAL APPROACH CORRIDOR for RWY 14, use caution.
Special Traffic (Military / Commercial / Helicopter, etc.)
- Helicopter traffic that wishes to remain in the pattern can expect closed traffic to RWY 20 and instructions to remain west of RWY 14/32 at all times.
- Helicopters - When departing the ramp to the N-E, remain EAST of RWY 14/32 at all times unless instructed otherwise.
- Use caution for both Seasonal and Year around Bird Activity.
- Coyotes and Deer frequent the airdrome, use caution for Wildlife activity.