Ramona Airport RNM

2450 Montecito Rd, Ramona, CA 92065 — San Diego County

Ramona Airport (FAA identifier: RNM) is a public-use general aviation airport situated in the rolling foothills of San Diego County, approximately 35 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. Owned and operated by the County of San Diego, the airport sits at an elevation of 1,395 feet above mean sea level and serves as a critical hub for general aviation, aerial firefighting, and skydiving operations serving the greater Ramona valley and surrounding mountain communities.

The airport features a single primary runway designated Runway 9/27, measuring 4,000 feet in length and 75 feet wide, with an asphalt surface maintained to FAA standards. The runway orientation runs roughly east-west, aligned to take advantage of prevailing winds through the Ramona basin. A parallel taxiway system connects the runway to the aircraft parking apron, hangar facilities, and the terminal building. The airport does not have an operating control tower, making it an uncontrolled field operating under standard VFR traffic pattern procedures with pilot-reported advisories on CTAF frequency 122.8 MHz.

CalFire Aerial Firefighting Base

One of Ramona Airport's most significant roles is its function as a CalFire Air Attack Base. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) maintains a permanent aerial firefighting installation at RNM, positioning air tankers, air attack aircraft, and support helicopters to respond rapidly to wildland fires throughout San Diego County and the broader Southern California region. Given Ramona's geographic position at the interface between coastal communities and the inland mountains and chaparral, the base provides critical rapid-response capability during fire season. CalFire's retardant loading facilities and dedicated ramp space allow air tankers to be turned around quickly, often within minutes of an initial air attack sortie.

Skydiving Operations

Ramona Airport is home to an active skydiving dropzone that has operated at the field for many years. The airport's elevation, open terrain, and relatively uncongested airspace make it well suited for jump operations. Skydiving aircraft regularly operate from the field, climbing to altitude over the Ramona valley before releasing jumpers who land in the designated drop zones on or adjacent to the airport property. The skydiving operation adds a layer of complexity to traffic pattern management at the uncontrolled field, and pilots transiting the area are advised to monitor the CTAF and exercise extra vigilance for parachutists in the vicinity.

General Aviation Services

Beyond its firefighting and skydiving roles, RNM serves a broad base of general aviation users including private pilots, flight training operations, and based aircraft owners. The airport supports a community of hangared and tie-down aircraft, and a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) provides fuel (100LL avgas), basic maintenance services, and pilot amenities. Flight training is conducted at the field, taking advantage of the varied terrain and weather conditions that the San Diego County foothills offer for building pilot proficiency.

Regional Airport Context

Ramona Airport occupies an important niche in the broader San Diego County airport system. The closest major commercial airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN), located approximately 35 miles to the southwest in the Lindbergh Field area of San Diego, handling millions of commercial passengers annually with two runways and major airline service. For general aviation pilots, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego, about 25 miles to the west, is a key nearby reliever airport with an FAA control tower, instrument approaches, and extensive FBO services. Gillespie Field (SEE) in El Cajon, roughly 20 miles southwest of Ramona, is another important San Diego County general aviation facility with multiple runways and a wide range of services. Pilots traveling further afield frequently reference airports such as Livermore Municipal Airport, Meadowlark Airport, and facilities serving the broader California general aviation network including Clean Energy Oakland International Airport, Oakland Airport Security, and ground transport options like Direct Airport Shuttle for regional connectivity.

Airport Facts
  • FAA IdentifierRNM
  • Elevation1,395 ft MSL
  • Runway9/27 — 4,000 ft
  • SurfaceAsphalt
  • Control TowerNo (CTAF 122.8)
  • OwnerCounty of San Diego
  • UsePublic
  • CountySan Diego
Nearby Airports
  • MYF — Montgomery-Gibbs Executive (~25 mi SW)
  • SEE — Gillespie Field (~20 mi SW)
  • SAN — San Diego International (~35 mi SW)

Ramona Airport - RNM Contact Information

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

Name Ramona Airport - RNM
Address 2926 Montecito Road, Ramona CA 92065 Map
Phone (760) 788-3366
Website
Hours

Map of Ramona Airport - RNM

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Airports near Ramona

Frequently Asked Questions — Ramona Airport (RNM)

Ramona Airport (RNM) has a single asphalt runway designated Runway 9/27, which is 4,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. The airport sits at an elevation of 1,395 feet above mean sea level (MSL), located in the inland foothills of San Diego County approximately 35 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. Pilots should account for the field elevation when calculating density altitude, particularly during hot summer months when temperatures in the Ramona basin can be significantly higher than at sea-level coastal airports like San Diego International (SAN). The airport is uncontrolled and operates on CTAF frequency 122.8 MHz.

Yes. Ramona Airport is home to a CalFire Air Attack Base, one of the agency's strategically located aerial firefighting facilities in Southern California. CalFire stations air tankers, air attack planes, and helicopters at RNM during fire season to provide rapid response to wildland fires throughout San Diego County and the surrounding region. During active fire incidents, general aviation traffic at Ramona Airport may be subject to Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), and the CalFire ramp and facilities are restricted to authorized personnel only. Visiting pilots should check NOTAMs before operating at RNM during dry, windy conditions when fire risk is elevated, and should be prepared for increased air tanker traffic on the pattern.

Ramona Airport hosts an active skydiving dropzone that operates regularly at the field. Jump aircraft climb to altitude over the Ramona valley, and parachutists descend to landing zones on or near the airport. Pilots flying in the vicinity of RNM should be aware of parachute activity and monitor the CTAF on 122.8 MHz for jump aircraft advisories. The FAA sectional chart for the San Diego area depicts the parachute jump area associated with Ramona Airport. Transient pilots are strongly encouraged to announce their position and intentions well in advance of entering the traffic pattern, and to scan carefully for both jump aircraft in the pattern and parachutists under canopy during descent.

Ramona Airport (RNM) differs meaningfully from its San Diego County counterparts. Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF), located about 25 miles to the southwest in the Kearny Mesa district of San Diego, has a FAA-operated control tower, instrument approaches including ILS, and significantly more FBO infrastructure. Gillespie Field (SEE) in El Cajon, roughly 20 miles southwest, similarly has a control tower, multiple runways, and robust general aviation services. RNM's 4,000-foot uncontrolled runway at 1,395 feet elevation gives it a distinctly different operational character — it is better suited to smaller piston aircraft and serves the Ramona community's local aviation needs, while its CalFire and skydiving operations give it roles that MYF and SEE do not fill.

Ramona Airport provides 100LL avgas for piston-powered general aviation aircraft. The airport's FBO offers self-serve fueling options, and pilots should verify current fuel availability and hours of operation before planning a fuel stop, particularly for early-morning or late-evening arrivals. Basic aircraft maintenance and tie-down and hangar rental are available for based aircraft. There is no Jet-A turbine fuel on the field, so turbine-powered aircraft must plan accordingly and divert to MYF, SEE, or SAN for jet fuel. The terminal area includes pilot amenities and is accessible during daylight hours. The airport's address is 2450 Montecito Road, Ramona, CA 92065, and it is owned and operated by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation.

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