Sallaberry Ranch Airport — Madera, California
Sallaberry Ranch Airport (FAA Identifier: CA27) is a private general aviation facility located in Madera, California, situated in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Serving as a private-use airport, this facility supports agricultural operations and personal aviation needs in one of California's most productive farming regions. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 270 feet above mean sea level (MSL), consistent with the relatively flat terrain characteristic of the valley floor in Madera County.
Madera is the county seat of Madera County, with a population of approximately 67,000 residents. The city occupies a strategic position in California's Central Valley, roughly midway between Sacramento to the north and Bakersfield to the south. The surrounding landscape is dominated by vast agricultural fields producing grapes, almonds, stone fruits, and row crops — industries that often make private airstrips like Sallaberry Ranch Airport essential for time-sensitive operations and landowner access across large rural properties.
The airport features a single runway configured to handle light general aviation aircraft, consistent with the private-use designation that restricts operations to authorized users. As a private facility, it is not open to the public without prior permission from the owner or operator. Pilots considering operations at or near this field should consult current FAA aeronautical charts and NOTAMs, as private-use airports may have operational restrictions that differ significantly from public-use facilities. The runway surface and dimensions are suited for small piston-engine aircraft and light sport aircraft commonly used in agricultural and personal aviation contexts.
Pilots operating in the Madera area benefit from the proximity of Madera Municipal Airport (ICAO: KMAE, FAA: MAE), the primary public-use general aviation airport serving the region, located approximately 3 to 4 miles from Sallaberry Ranch Airport. Madera Municipal offers full fixed-base operator (FBO) services, fueling, hangars, and a paved runway capable of handling larger general aviation aircraft. For commercial air service and instrument flight operations, Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAA: FAT) serves as the major regional airport, situated approximately 20 miles southeast of Madera along State Route 99. FAT handles scheduled airline service, charter operations, and is equipped with full IFR approach procedures, making it the hub of aviation activity for the greater Fresno-Madera metropolitan area.
The geographic context of Sallaberry Ranch Airport places it at the western edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills transition zone. Just east of Madera, the terrain rises from the valley floor toward the foothills that eventually climb into the Sierra Nevada range. This proximity provides pilots with notable visual landmarks for navigation and situational awareness. The foothills region is home to Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, formed by Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River, which lies approximately 15 miles northeast of the city. These geographic features serve as prominent VFR navigation checkpoints for local pilots.
Aviation activity in Madera County reflects the broader agricultural economy of the region. Private airstrips like Sallaberry Ranch Airport are common throughout the San Joaquin Valley, often serving ranches, farms, and rural estates where ground transportation to the nearest public airport represents a significant time commitment. The relatively flat terrain and predictable valley weather patterns — characterized by dense tule fog in winter months and clear, hot conditions during summer — define the operational environment for local pilots. Pilots should exercise particular caution during the November through February period when radiation fog can reduce visibility to near zero with little advance warning, a well-known hazard throughout the Central Valley.
For those seeking public aviation services in the broader region, Madera Municipal Airport remains the recommended facility for transient pilots, offering services and infrastructure designed for general public use. Sallaberry Ranch Airport, as a private-use field, plays a supporting role in the local aviation ecosystem — one of many private strips that collectively contribute to the agricultural and rural transportation network of California's Central Valley.