McClellan Airport (MCC) — McClellan Park, California

McClellan Airport, officially known as McClellan Airfield and carrying the FAA identifier MCC, is a public-use general aviation airport located in McClellan Park, Sacramento County, California. Situated on the grounds of the former McClellan Air Force Base, the airport operates at an elevation of approximately 77 feet above mean sea level and features a single primary runway — Runway 16/34 — stretching 10,600 feet in length, one of the longest general aviation runways in Northern California. This exceptional runway length, a legacy of its military origins, makes McClellan Airport capable of accommodating a broad range of aircraft, from single-engine piston planes to large business jets and cargo transports.

The airport's history is inseparable from the legacy of McClellan Air Force Base, which was established in 1935 and served as a major logistics and maintenance hub for the United States Air Force for over six decades. Following the base's closure in 2001 under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, the facility was converted to civilian use and has since grown into a thriving general aviation and commercial services hub. Today, McClellan Airport is managed by the County of Sacramento and serves as an important reliever airport for Sacramento International Airport (SMF), alleviating congestion and providing dedicated facilities for charter, corporate, cargo, and military training operations.

McClellan Airport occupies roughly 3,000 acres of developed airfield property and benefits from extensive infrastructure inherited from its military past. Multiple aircraft hangars, wide taxiways, and robust fuel services — including 100LL avgas and Jet-A — are available on the field. Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) at McClellan provide full-service fueling, aircraft towing, tie-down and hangar rental, flight training, and maintenance services. The airport's ramp capacity is substantial, regularly hosting corporate jets, turboprop aircraft, and helicopter operations alongside training flights from local flight schools.

One of McClellan Airport's defining characteristics is its role in aerial firefighting coordination for Northern California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) maintains an air attack base at McClellan, positioning air tankers, helicopters, and observation aircraft to respond rapidly to wildfires across the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Sacramento Valley, and the broader Northern California region. During fire season, the airfield sees significantly increased traffic as these critical assets stage and depart for fire suppression missions.

The airport is located approximately 8 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento, offering convenient access from Interstate 80 and Business 80 via Watt Avenue. The surrounding McClellan Park business community has transformed the former base into a mixed-use commercial and industrial zone, with technology companies, logistics firms, and government agencies occupying repurposed military structures adjacent to the airfield. This integrated development model has made McClellan one of the more successful military-to-civilian airport conversions in the western United States.

For pilots flying into the Sacramento region, McClellan Airport (MCC) offers a compelling alternative to Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Its long runway accommodates high-performance aircraft with ease, and the absence of scheduled commercial airline traffic means significantly less congestion and more flexible departure windows. Instrument approaches include ILS, RNAV (GPS), and VOR procedures for Runway 16 and 34, supporting operations in instrument meteorological conditions common during Sacramento's tule fog season from November through February.

The airport also plays a role in defense-related operations, with various government and contractor aircraft utilizing the facility for logistics, training, and mission support. Its proximity to Beale Air Force Base, located approximately 40 miles to the north, and its own military heritage make it a natural fit for defense contractor activity in the Sacramento region. Aircraft charter services operating from McClellan provide on-demand air transportation connecting McClellan Park to destinations across California and the broader western United States, serving business travelers who prefer the efficiency of private aviation over the commercial terminal experience.

McClellan Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Mcclellan Park, California.

Name McClellan Airport
Address 3140 Peacekeeper Way, McClellan Park CA 95652 Map
Phone (916) 965-7100
Website
Hours

Map of McClellan Airport


Frequently Asked Questions — McClellan Airport (MCC), McClellan Park, CA

McClellan Airport carries the FAA identifier MCC and is classified as a public-use general aviation reliever airport in Sacramento County. Its primary runway (16/34) measures 10,600 feet in length, enabling it to accommodate a wide spectrum of aircraft including single-engine piston trainers, multi-engine turboprops, large business jets, air tankers, and cargo aircraft. The runway's exceptional length — a direct legacy of the airport's origins as McClellan Air Force Base — makes MCC one of the most capable general aviation fields in Northern California.

Yes. McClellan Airport hosts Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) that provide comprehensive general aviation services. Available fuel types include 100LL avgas and Jet-A, supporting both piston and turbine-powered aircraft. FBO services at MCC typically include aircraft towing, tie-down and enclosed hangar rental, aircraft fueling, ground handling, flight planning resources, and pilot lounge facilities. Maintenance and avionics services are also available through on-field repair stations. Pilots are advised to contact the FBO directly for current pricing and service availability, particularly during peak fire season when ramp capacity may be constrained by CAL FIRE operations.

McClellan Airport serves as a CAL FIRE air attack base, positioning aerial firefighting assets for rapid deployment across Northern California. During fire season — which in recent years has extended well beyond the traditional summer months — the airport hosts fixed-wing air tankers, lead planes, and helicopters operated by or contracted to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. These aircraft stage at McClellan to minimize response times to fires in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Sacramento Valley, and surrounding regions. This mission makes McClellan a critical piece of California's wildfire response infrastructure and can affect general aviation traffic patterns and ramp availability during active fire weather periods.

For general aviation pilots, McClellan Airport (MCC) offers several advantages over the busier Sacramento-area airports. Compared to Sacramento International Airport (SMF), approximately 15 miles to the west, MCC has no scheduled commercial airline traffic, resulting in simpler ATC coordination and shorter taxi times. Compared to Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), roughly 10 miles to the southwest, McClellan's 10,600-foot runway provides substantially more performance margin for jets and turboprops, particularly in hot summer conditions. Instrument approaches at MCC include ILS, RNAV (GPS), and VOR procedures. The airport's location in McClellan Park also places it closer to the northeastern Sacramento suburbs, benefiting pilots based in Roseville, Rocklin, Citrus Heights, and Rancho Cordova.

McClellan Air Force Base was established in 1935 and operated for over six decades as one of the U.S. Air Force's primary logistics and aircraft maintenance depots on the West Coast. At its peak, the base employed tens of thousands of military and civilian personnel and was instrumental in supporting operations during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War era. Following the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions of the 1990s, McClellan AFB was formally closed in 2001. Sacramento County assumed ownership of the airfield property, converting it to public civilian use as McClellan Airport (MCC). The surrounding land became McClellan Park, a redeveloped business park that today houses commercial, industrial, and government tenants — one of California's most successful military base reuse projects.

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