Franklin Airport – Elk Grove, California (FAA ID: 27599)

Franklin Airport (FAA identifier 27599) is a general aviation facility located in Elk Grove, Sacramento County, California. Situated in the southern Sacramento Valley, the airport serves private pilots, agricultural operators, and light aircraft enthusiasts across one of California's fastest-growing cities. Elk Grove, with a population exceeding 180,000 residents, has expanded dramatically over the past two decades, yet Franklin Airport continues to serve as a vital node for small aircraft operations in the region.

The airport occupies a flat, agricultural-adjacent footprint characteristic of Sacramento Valley airfields, offering favorable year-round flying conditions. The Central Valley's climate — marked by hot, dry summers and mild, occasionally foggy winters — means pilots operating out of Franklin Airport must account for seasonal tule fog advisories, particularly between November and February. During summer months, density altitude considerations apply given temperatures frequently exceeding 95°F, requiring careful weight-and-balance planning for departures.

Franklin Airport is positioned within the broader Sacramento Basin airspace environment, operating in proximity to Sacramento Executive Airport (SMF/SAC executive ops) and Mather Airport (MHR), the latter located approximately 10 miles to the northwest. Pilots flying in and out of Franklin Airport coordinate with Northern California TRACON (NCT) as needed and should reference current NOTAMs for any active airspace restrictions tied to Sacramento Executive's Class D surface area or Sacramento International Airport (SMF), approximately 20 miles to the north.

For general aviation pilots based in Elk Grove, Franklin Airport provides an accessible alternative to the busier regional airports. The field supports piston single-engine and light twin operations, making it a practical choice for personal travel, flight training, and agricultural survey flights over the surrounding farmland in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. Agricultural aviation has historically played a role in the Sacramento Valley, and smaller airstrips like Franklin Airport remain important infrastructure for crop-dusting and aerial application operations serving nearby farms.

Elk Grove's proximity to the Sacramento metropolitan area means Franklin Airport sits within a corridor of active general aviation traffic. Nearby airports within a 30-mile radius include Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) in Alameda County — a full-service GA field with an ASOS and instrument approaches — and Meadowlark Airport, a smaller private strip serving the Livermore Valley. To the west, the Oakland International corridor includes Oakland Airport (OAK) and associated facilities such as the Clean Energy Oakland International Airport fueling infrastructure and Oakland Airport Security operations, which are relevant to pilots transitioning through the Bay Area airspace.

Pilots planning cross-country flights departing Franklin Airport to the Bay Area should be aware of the Altamont Pass route and associated wind shear conditions, particularly during afternoon hours when onshore flow intensifies. Flight following with NorCal Approach is strongly recommended for VFR transitions through the Livermore Valley corridor toward OAK or beyond. Ground transportation between Elk Grove and the Bay Area is also served by Direct Airport Shuttle, a regional ground service connecting Sacramento-area communities to Oakland and San Francisco International airports — useful for passengers who may fly into Franklin Airport and need onward surface connections.

For current airport information, pilots should consult the FAA's Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) for the NorCal sectional chart region and verify fuel availability, runway conditions, and any applicable TFRs before operating at Franklin Airport. As with all uncontrolled fields, standard traffic pattern procedures and CTAF radio discipline are essential for safe operations at this Elk Grove facility.

Franklin Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Elk Grove, California.

Name Franklin Airport
Address 12480 Bruceville Road, Elk Grove CA 95757 Map
Phone (916) 875-9035
Website
Hours

Map of Franklin Airport


Frequently Asked Questions – Franklin Airport, Elk Grove, CA

Franklin Airport (FAA ID: 27599) is located in Elk Grove, Sacramento County, in California's Central Valley. The airport sits in the southern Sacramento metropolitan area, surrounded by the agricultural flatlands and residential communities that characterize Elk Grove's landscape. It is accessible from South Sacramento via Highway 99 and Franklin Boulevard, placing it within reach of both urban Elk Grove residents and rural operators in the surrounding farmland corridor.

Franklin Airport is a general aviation facility primarily supporting light piston aircraft, including single-engine and light twin-engine planes. It is suited for private recreational flying, agricultural aerial application over Sacramento Valley farmland, and local flight training. The airport is not equipped for commercial airline service. Pilots operating larger turbine aircraft should consider nearby Sacramento Executive Airport or Mather Airport (MHR), both located within 15 miles and offering longer runways and additional services.

Elk Grove and the surrounding Sacramento Valley experience a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The primary weather hazard for pilots at Franklin Airport is tule fog, which can reduce visibility to near-zero during late fall and winter months (typically November through February). Summer operations require attention to density altitude, as temperatures regularly exceed 95°F, reducing aircraft performance on takeoff and climb. Pilots are advised to check ASOS broadcasts from nearby Sacramento Executive Airport and review NOTAMs before each flight.

Several airports serve the broader region around Franklin Airport. Mather Airport (MHR) lies approximately 10 miles northwest and handles cargo, military, and general aviation. Sacramento Executive Airport is roughly 15 miles north. For Bay Area destinations, Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) is approximately 45 miles southwest and serves as a key GA gateway to the East Bay. Oakland International Airport (OAK), about 70 miles west, handles commercial and general aviation. Ground shuttle services such as Direct Airport Shuttle connect Elk Grove passengers to Oakland and San Francisco airports when commercial travel is required.

Franklin Airport (FAA ID: 27599) is classified as a general aviation facility. Pilots seeking current operational details — including runway status, fuel availability, traffic pattern altitude, and CTAF frequency — should consult the FAA's current Airport/Facility Directory for the Northern California region and check for active NOTAMs via the FAA's NOTAM system or ForeFlight. As an uncontrolled field, pilots are expected to self-announce on the designated CTAF frequency and adhere to standard traffic pattern procedures. Contacting local EAA chapters or flight schools in the Elk Grove and Sacramento area can also provide up-to-date local knowledge about field conditions.

External Links: