Rio Linda Airport (L36) — Rio Linda, California

Rio Linda Airport, identified by the FAA location identifier L36, is a general aviation facility located in Rio Linda, a small unincorporated community in Sacramento County, California. Situated at an elevation of approximately 32 feet above mean sea level, the airport serves private pilots, flight training operations, and light recreational aviation in the northern Sacramento Valley region.

The airport features a single runway oriented to accommodate the prevailing winds of the Sacramento Valley floor. Rio Linda Airport operates as an uncontrolled field, meaning pilots self-announce on the CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) and exercise see-and-avoid procedures. This makes it a popular destination for student pilots building cross-country hours, as well as for local residents seeking accessible general aviation services without the complexity of towered airspace.

Rio Linda itself sits roughly 10 miles north of downtown Sacramento, and the airport's proximity to Sacramento Executive Airport (SMF Executive, FAA identifier SAC) means pilots operating out of L36 must coordinate carefully when transiting the Class C airspace surrounding Sacramento International Airport (SMF), which lies approximately 8 miles to the northwest. Familiarity with the Sacramento TRACON frequencies and the published VFR corridors is essential for any flight departing or arriving at Rio Linda Airport.

The surrounding landscape is characteristic of the Sacramento Valley: flat agricultural land interspersed with suburban development. Rio Linda was historically a farming community, and the airport reflects that rural general aviation character — a no-frills facility where pilots can fuel up, tie down their aircraft, and connect with the local flying community. The airport is managed under Sacramento County jurisdiction and serves as a reliever facility that keeps smaller piston aircraft out of the congested pattern at Sacramento Executive.

For pilots flying into Rio Linda Airport from the Bay Area, the route typically follows the Sacramento Valley floor northbound from the Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) area, crossing the Altamont Pass and transitioning to the flat inland terrain. Meadowlark Airport in Petaluma and other northern California general aviation fields also feed traffic into the regional network of which L36 is a part. The airport sits within easy reach of the regional VOR navigation infrastructure, making it straightforward to navigate even in reduced visibility conditions common to the valley's Tule fog season, which runs from November through February.

Tule fog is a critical safety consideration for pilots operating at Rio Linda Airport. The Sacramento Valley is one of the most fog-prone regions in the United States during winter months, and instrument-rated pilots are strongly advised to file IFR flight plans when fog is possible. VFR pilots should monitor METARs from Sacramento Executive (SAC) and Sacramento International (SMF) as representative conditions for the Rio Linda area, since L36 does not have its own ASOS or ATIS weather reporting station.

The local flying community around Rio Linda Airport benefits from the broader Sacramento aviation ecosystem, including proximity to flight schools and maintenance facilities at Sacramento Executive Airport. Pilots based at L36 often use nearby airports for more complex maintenance, avionics work, or instrument approaches. The airport's straightforward layout and uncontrolled status make it an ideal training environment for pre-solo student pilots working toward their private pilot certificate under 14 CFR Part 61 or Part 141 curricula.

Aircraft owners considering basing their aircraft at Rio Linda Airport will find tie-down and hangar options through Sacramento County's airport management office. The facility accommodates single-engine piston aircraft up to light twins, and the relatively low traffic volume compared to executive airports in the region makes it an attractive, cost-effective home base for the recreational pilot. Whether you are a student accumulating solo cross-country hours, a private pilot visiting family in Sacramento County, or a local resident interested in aviation, Rio Linda Airport (L36) offers a genuine general aviation experience in the heart of Northern California.

Rio Linda Airport Contact Information

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

Name Rio Linda Airport
Address 930 E Street, Rio Linda CA 95673 Map
Phone (916) 991-1725
Website
Hours

Map of Rio Linda Airport


Airports near Rio Linda

Frequently Asked Questions — Rio Linda Airport (L36)

Rio Linda Airport carries the FAA location identifier L36. It is located in Rio Linda, an unincorporated community in Sacramento County, California, approximately 10 miles north of downtown Sacramento. The airport sits at roughly 32 feet MSL on the flat Sacramento Valley floor, within the broader Class C airspace environment surrounding Sacramento International Airport (SMF).

Rio Linda Airport (L36) is an uncontrolled field — it does not have an air traffic control tower. Pilots use the CTAF frequency for self-announcing traffic advisories. The airport also does not have its own ASOS or ATIS weather station. Pilots should reference METARs from Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) or Sacramento International Airport (SMF) for representative local weather conditions, particularly during the Tule fog season (November through February).

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) lies approximately 8 miles northwest of Rio Linda Airport, and its Class C airspace directly affects operations at L36. Pilots departing or arriving at Rio Linda must be aware of the published VFR corridors and may need to establish two-way radio communication with Sacramento TRACON (Northern California TRACON, NCT) depending on their altitude and routing. Pilots unfamiliar with the Sacramento airspace structure should review the current sectional chart and obtain a standard briefing from 1800wxbrief.com before flying in the area.

Rio Linda Airport primarily serves single-engine piston aircraft and light twins. Operations include recreational flying, private pilot flight training, and cross-country training flights. The airport is a popular destination for student pilots building solo cross-country hours due to its uncontrolled status and manageable traffic environment. Aircraft owners can inquire about tie-down and hangar availability through Sacramento County airport management. More complex maintenance, avionics, and instrument approach practice are typically conducted at nearby Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC).

Pilots operating around Rio Linda Airport (L36) should be familiar with several nearby facilities. Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) is the primary general aviation hub for the area, roughly 12 miles south. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is approximately 8 miles northwest and its Class C airspace affects local routing. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) is a key waypoint for Bay Area pilots flying the Sacramento Valley corridor northeast. These airports collectively define the regional general aviation network serving northern Sacramento County.

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