Daulton Airport (FAA: CA53) — Madera, California
Daulton Airport is a privately owned, public-use general aviation facility located in Madera, California, in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley. Operating under FAA identifier CA53, the airport sits at an elevation of approximately 280 feet above mean sea level and serves as a critical access point for agricultural operators, private pilots, and light aircraft throughout Madera County and the surrounding region.
The airport features a single turf runway oriented to accommodate the prevailing wind patterns typical of the Central Valley. With a runway length suitable for single-engine and light twin-engine aircraft, Daulton Airport is an essential resource for local agricultural aviation — supporting crop-dusting operations, aerial surveying, and private transportation across Madera County's expansive farmlands, vineyards, and orchards. The San Joaquin Valley's rich agricultural economy depends heavily on facilities like Daulton to support the aerial application services that protect millions of dollars in annual crop yields.
Madera County encompasses more than 2,100 square miles of diverse terrain, stretching from the flat Central Valley floor eastward into the Sierra Nevada foothills and the boundaries of Sierra National Forest. Daulton Airport's location in the western valley portion of the county makes it accessible to operators working across this wide geographic range. Pilots flying out of Daulton regularly service farms growing almonds, grapes, peaches, and cotton — crops that define Madera's agricultural identity.
For general aviation pilots seeking fuel, maintenance, or overnight tie-down, Daulton Airport operates within the broader network of Central Valley airfields. The nearest full-service commercial airports include Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), located approximately 25 miles to the south, which offers commercial airline service, instrument approaches, and full fixed-base operator (FBO) services. Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) lies roughly 70 miles to the north for pilots routing through the northern valley corridor.
Within the regional general aviation community, Daulton Airport complements nearby facilities such as Madera Municipal Airport (MAE), the primary public-use airport serving the city of Madera, located just a few miles away. MAE offers a paved runway, aviation fuel, and more extensive services, while Daulton serves operators who prefer the turf surface or who are based on adjacent agricultural properties.
The airport's turf surface is well-maintained and suitable for operations during dry Central Valley conditions, which dominate most of the year. Pilots are advised to verify field conditions during the winter wet season, as tule fog — a dense radiation fog unique to the San Joaquin Valley — can significantly reduce visibility from November through February. Daulton Airport does not have an instrument approach procedure, making visual flight rules (VFR) conditions essential for safe operations.
Airspace around Daulton Airport falls within the Fresno Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA), and pilots operating in the vicinity should maintain awareness of traffic transiting to and from Fresno Yosemite International. Radio communication with Fresno Approach Control is recommended for traffic advisories when flying in the area.
Whether you are an agricultural aviation operator, a private pilot based in Madera County, or a flight instructor using rural strips for training, Daulton Airport (CA53) represents the essential fabric of California's general aviation infrastructure. Its continued operation supports not only the local agricultural economy but also the broader tradition of community-based aviation that keeps rural California connected.