Mapes Ranch Airport – Modesto, California

Mapes Ranch Airport (FAA Identifier: CA27, ID: 27753) is a private general aviation facility located in the agricultural heartland of Stanislaus County, just outside Modesto, California. Situated in the Central Valley, this privately owned airstrip serves the operational needs of the surrounding ranch and agricultural community, providing direct air access to one of California's most productive farming regions.

Modesto sits at the center of a region that produces almonds, walnuts, peaches, and dairy products on a massive commercial scale. Mapes Ranch Airport reflects the long tradition of private airstrips that have supported agricultural operations throughout the San Joaquin Valley, where quick aerial access is often essential for ranch management, crop monitoring, and business travel across large landholdings.

The airport is classified as a private-use general aviation facility under FAA registry. With a field elevation consistent with the flat Central Valley terrain, operations at Mapes Ranch Airport are well-suited for single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft commonly used in agricultural aviation. The runway orientation and surface conditions are maintained to support the specific operational requirements of its private users.

Located approximately 8 miles from the heart of Modesto, the airport sits in a region surrounded by some of California's most productive farmland. The proximity to Highway 99 and the broader Central Valley road network makes ground access straightforward for those operating from the facility. Modesto itself is the seat of Stanislaus County and a city of approximately 225,000 residents, making it one of the larger metropolitan centers in the Central Valley.

For those requiring commercial air service, Modesto City–County Airport (MOD) — formally known as Harry Sham Field — is the nearest public-use airport, located within the Modesto city limits. MOD has historically offered scheduled commercial service and currently provides general aviation services including fuel, maintenance, and charter operations. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), roughly 75 miles to the south, and Sacramento International Airport (SMF), about 90 miles to the north, represent the nearest large hub airports for commercial travel.

Within the broader regional aviation network, several notable airports serve pilots operating in the greater Bay Area and Central Valley corridor. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), located approximately 50 miles to the west in Alameda County, offers full general aviation services including instrument approaches, a control tower, and multiple FBOs. Oakland International Airport (OAK) — formally Oakland Airport, with Clean Energy Oakland International Airport among its operational service providers — sits roughly 80 miles to the west and handles both commercial and general aviation traffic through its diverse terminal infrastructure. Meadowlark Airport, a private field in the Livermore area, serves local ranch and agricultural users much like Mapes Ranch does in Stanislaus County.

Pilots transiting through the Central Valley corridor benefit from excellent VFR flying conditions for the majority of the year, with Modesto's inland location providing clear skies outside of the tule fog season that typically affects the valley floor between November and February. During tule fog events, IFR-rated pilots must plan accordingly, as dense ground fog can reduce visibility to near zero within minutes. Summer flying in the valley requires attention to high density altitude conditions, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and field elevations that — while low — still require careful weight and performance calculations.

Agricultural aviation in Stanislaus County encompasses crop dusting, aerial survey, and ranch support missions that have been integral to California's farming economy since the mid-20th century. Private airstrips like Mapes Ranch Airport are a practical element of large agricultural operations, enabling owners and managers to move efficiently across properties and to regional business centers without relying solely on ground transportation across the valley's extensive road network.

The FAA maintains registration records for Mapes Ranch Airport under its national airspace facility database, and pilots planning operations at or near this facility should consult current NOTAMs and sectional charts for the San Francisco and Los Angeles VFR sectionals that cover the Modesto area. The airport falls within proximity to the Modesto Class D airspace surrounding MOD, requiring situational awareness of local traffic patterns and communications procedures when operating in the vicinity.

Mapes Ranch Airport Contact Information

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

Name Mapes Ranch Airport
Address Shoemake Avenue, Modesto CA 95358 Map
Phone (209) 522-1762
Website
Hours

Map of Mapes Ranch Airport

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Frequently Asked Questions – Mapes Ranch Airport, Modesto, CA

No. Mapes Ranch Airport (FAA ID: CA27, facility ID 27753) is a privately owned, private-use general aviation airstrip located in Stanislaus County near Modesto, California. Access is restricted to authorized users associated with the ranch or property. Pilots wishing to land must obtain prior permission from the owner before operations. For public general aviation services in the Modesto area, Modesto City–County Airport (MOD / Harry Sham Field) is the appropriate alternative.

Mapes Ranch Airport is designed for light general aviation aircraft, consistent with its role as a private agricultural airstrip. Single-engine piston aircraft such as Cessna 172s, Piper PA-28s, and similar light planes are typical for this type of facility. Agricultural-use aircraft including Air Tractor and Grumman Ag Cat models may also operate from private strips in Stanislaus County. Pilots should consult FAA records and contact the owner directly for specific runway length, surface type, and weight limit information before planning operations.

The nearest public-use general aviation airport is Modesto City–County Airport (MOD), located within the city of Modesto and offering fuel, maintenance, charter services, and instrument approaches. For commercial airline service, Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is approximately 75 miles to the south and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is approximately 90 miles to the north. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), roughly 50 miles west in Alameda County, provides full-service general aviation facilities for Bay Area-bound pilots.

The Modesto area and broader San Joaquin Valley experience two primary weather challenges for pilots. Tule fog — a dense ground-level radiation fog — affects the valley floor from approximately November through February and can reduce visibility to near zero rapidly, requiring IFR ratings and careful preflight planning during those months. In summer, temperatures in Modesto regularly exceed 100°F, creating high density altitude conditions that reduce aircraft performance. Pilots operating from low-elevation valley strips like Mapes Ranch must calculate density altitude carefully during hot afternoons to ensure safe takeoff and climb performance.

Mapes Ranch Airport is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration under the identifier CA27 with facility ID 27753. It is classified as a privately owned, private-use airport in the FAA's national airspace facility database. The FAA maintains records including runway data, ownership information, and operational status for all registered airstrips including private facilities like Mapes Ranch. Pilots can verify current information through the FAA's Airport Data and Information Portal (ADIP) or the official aeronautical charts covering the Modesto, California area.

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