Susanville Municipal Airport (SVZ) — Lassen County's Gateway to the Eastern Sierra

Susanville Municipal Airport, designated by the FAA with identifier A27 (commonly referenced as SVZ in regional aviation databases), serves as the primary general aviation facility for Lassen County and the surrounding northeastern California high desert plateau. Situated at an elevation of 4,149 feet above mean sea level, the airport sits approximately 2 miles southwest of downtown Susanville, California — the Lassen County seat — and provides essential air access to a region defined by vast distances, rugged volcanic terrain, and limited ground transportation corridors.

The airport occupies a strategically important position in the northeastern California aviation network. Susanville itself sits roughly 95 miles north of Reno, Nevada, 175 miles northeast of Sacramento, and nearly 100 miles east of Redding, making commercial ground travel to major airports a multi-hour commitment under the best conditions. Highway 36 and US-395 serve as the primary surface routes connecting Susanville to the broader region, but winter closures, mountain passes, and Lassen County's remote geography make Susanville Municipal Airport an indispensable resource for medical transport, law enforcement operations, fire suppression coordination, and private general aviation throughout the area.

Susanville Municipal Airport features a single asphalt runway — Runway 18/36 — measuring 7,004 feet in length and 100 feet in width. This substantial runway length is particularly significant given the airport's high-density-altitude environment; at over 4,100 feet elevation, aircraft require longer ground rolls for takeoff and landing, and the extended pavement gives pilots the necessary margin for safe operations even during warm summer months when density altitude can effectively reduce performance to the equivalent of operating above 7,000 feet. The runway is equipped with medium-intensity runway lights (MIRL) and a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) system on Runway 18, supporting visual approaches during reduced-visibility conditions.

The airport is owned and operated by the City of Susanville and functions as a public-use facility open to all certificated pilots and aircraft operators. While there is no scheduled commercial airline service at Susanville Municipal, the airport maintains a robust fuel operation offering both 100 low-lead (100LL) aviation gasoline and Jet-A turbine fuel, making it a viable stop for turboprop and light jet operations transiting the region. The airport's self-serve fuel island provides 24-hour access, a critical feature for pilots operating on flexible schedules through this sparsely populated corridor.

Susanville Municipal Airport plays a central role in regional emergency services coordination. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) regularly utilizes the facility as a base of operations during wildfire season — a period of intense activity in Lassen County, which borders the Lassen National Forest, Eagle Lake, and the Plumas National Forest. Air tankers, lead planes, and helicopters have staged from Susanville's airport during major fire events throughout the Sierra Nevada and Cascade foothills. The airport's long runway and jet fuel availability make it capable of supporting heavy air tanker operations when fires threaten the timber and grassland landscapes surrounding the county.

Eagle Lake, located approximately 15 miles north of Susanville, is one of California's largest natural lakes and a significant draw for recreational pilots who fly into Susanville Municipal to access fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing in the surrounding Lassen National Forest. The broader Susanville area offers access to snowmobiling in winter, hunting seasons for deer and pronghorn antelope, and the Susan River recreational corridor — all activities that attract visitors willing to fly in rather than endure lengthy drives from the Bay Area or Sacramento metropolitan region.

The airport's fixed-base operator (FBO) services include aircraft parking, tie-downs, and limited maintenance referrals through local aviation service contacts. Pilots utilizing Susanville Municipal should note that the Susanville CTAF/UNICOM frequency is 122.8 MHz, and the airport operates in Class G uncontrolled airspace. The nearest approach control is Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), located approximately 95 miles to the southeast, which provides radar advisory services for IFR traffic transiting the region. Pilots should also consult current NOTAMs and Lassen County weather services, as the high-elevation plateau can generate rapid weather changes, particularly in winter when storms sweep in from the Pacific through mountain gaps in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades.

Lassen County government and regional healthcare providers, including Renown Health's transport network serving northeastern California, utilize Susanville Municipal Airport for patient transfers and administrative travel to Sacramento, Reno, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The airport thus serves not only recreational and business aviation but fulfills a genuine public safety mission in one of California's least-densely populated counties, connecting Susanville's approximately 15,000 residents to the broader state and national air transportation network.

Susanville Municipal Airport Contact Information

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

Name Susanville Municipal Airport
Address 471-920 Johnstonville Drive, Susanville CA 96130 Map
Phone (530) 257-2030
Website
Hours

Map of Susanville Municipal Airport

Airports in near by County


Airports near Susanville

Frequently Asked Questions — Susanville Municipal Airport (SVZ)

Susanville Municipal Airport's single runway — Runway 18/36 — is 7,004 feet long and 100 feet wide, constructed of asphalt. The airport sits at an elevation of 4,149 feet above mean sea level (MSL). This high elevation creates significant density altitude considerations for pilots, particularly during hot summer afternoons when effective density altitude can exceed 7,000 feet. The extended runway length compensates for the reduced aircraft performance inherent in high-elevation operations and accommodates a wide range of general aviation and turbine-powered aircraft.

Yes. Susanville Municipal Airport provides both 100LL aviation gasoline and Jet-A turbine fuel. A self-serve fuel island operates 24 hours a day, giving pilots flexibility for early departures or late arrivals without relying on staffed FBO hours. This dual-fuel availability makes Susanville Municipal a practical fuel stop for turboprop and light jet operators traversing the northeastern California–Nevada corridor, which otherwise has limited services across long distances between Reno and Redding.

Susanville Municipal Airport is regularly used by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) as a staging and support base during active wildfire seasons. Lassen County borders the Lassen National Forest and Plumas National Forest, areas historically prone to significant fire activity. The airport's 7,004-foot runway, Jet-A fuel availability, and proximity to key fire zones make it suitable for air tankers, lead planes, and rotary-wing aircraft involved in aerial firefighting operations. Pilots flying into the airport during fire season should monitor NOTAMs for temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) that may be active in the surrounding airspace.

Susanville Municipal Airport is an uncontrolled airport operating in Class G airspace. Pilots should make position announcements on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) of 122.8 MHz. Runway 18 is equipped with a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) system to assist with visual glidepath guidance. For IFR flight plan services and radar advisories en route, pilots can contact the Reno TRACON associated with Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), located approximately 95 miles to the southeast. Weather information and current NOTAMs are essential before operations, given the airport's high-elevation plateau environment and variable mountain weather patterns.

Eagle Lake, one of California's largest natural lakes and a premier destination for trout fishing and wildlife viewing, is approximately 15 miles north of Susanville Municipal Airport via Highway 139 — roughly a 20-minute drive. Lassen Volcanic National Park, home to Lassen Peak (the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range, standing at 10,457 feet), is located approximately 60 miles southwest of the airport via Highway 36 west. Pilots flying into Susanville for recreational access to either destination will find the airport an efficient entry point compared to driving from the Sacramento Valley or Bay Area, saving several hours of surface travel each way.

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