Andrews-Murphy Airport (RHP) — Gateway to the Nantahala Gorge and Cherokee County
Andrews-Murphy Airport (FAA identifier RHP) serves as the primary public-use general aviation gateway to Cherokee County in North Carolina's far southwestern corner, where the Nantahala National Forest, Hiwassee Lake, and the proximity of Murphy to the Tennessee and Georgia borders create a natural hub for outdoor recreation flying. The airport sits at approximately 1,295 feet elevation on a plateau above the Valley River, affording pilots a comfortable approach despite the mountainous terrain that surrounds the broader region. Commercial service is not available at RHP, making it an essential resource for private, charter, and air ambulance operations serving a county geographically isolated from interstate highways.
Murphy, the Cherokee County seat, lies at the end of US-19/US-64 corridors that wind through mountain passes for two hours in any direction from the nearest commercial airport. Andrews-Murphy Airport thus performs an outsized economic and emergency-access function. NCDOT Division of Aviation has invested in runway improvements and instrument approach enhancements at RHP as part of the state's commitment to maintaining access in western mountain communities. The airport is named jointly for the towns of Andrews and Murphy, reflecting a cooperative spirit across the county seat and its northern neighbor that characterizes Cherokee County's tight-knit mountain community.
What is the elevation at Andrews-Murphy Airport (RHP)?
RHP sits at approximately 1,295 feet MSL. Pilots should calculate density altitude carefully during warm months, as Cherokee County's summer temperatures combined with the field elevation can meaningfully reduce climb performance.
Are there instrument approaches at Andrews-Murphy Airport?
Yes, RHP has published instrument approach procedures. NCDOT has prioritized instrument access at mountain airports serving counties with limited ground transportation alternatives, and RHP benefits from this policy commitment.
What fuel is available at RHP?
Andrews-Murphy Airport typically offers 100LL avgas. Pilots planning to arrive on fumes should verify fuel availability by contacting the airport manager before departure, particularly outside normal business hours.
How close is RHP to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The park's western boundary near Fontana Dam is approximately 30 miles northeast of Murphy. RHP is a practical base for pilots wanting to explore Great Smoky Mountains area by air, with Fontana Lake offering a distinctive VFR landmark.
Andrews Murphy Airport - RHP Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Andrews, North Carolina.
| Name | Andrews Murphy Airport - RHP |
| Address | 5840 Airport Road, Andrews NC 28901 Map |
| Phone | (828) 321-5114 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Andrews Murphy Airport - RHP
Mountain Aviation Access and Cherokee County's Transportation Lifeline
Cherokee County represents one of North Carolina's most geographically isolated communities, with Murphy sitting further from an interstate highway than virtually any other county seat east of the Mississippi. This isolation makes Andrews-Murphy Airport not simply a convenience but a genuine lifeline — for organ transport flights, air ambulance access, and corporate travel by businesses that serve the area's growing retirement and tourism economy. The airport's maintained instrument capability means medical emergencies don't automatically require a two-hour ground transport to Asheville Regional (AVL) for initial flight connections.
The broader Nantahala aviation environment presents both extraordinary rewards and genuine challenges for visiting pilots. Terrain-induced turbulence over ridgelines is common during afternoon heating, and mountain wave activity can create significant sink on approach from the north when strong westerly winds interact with the Valley River terrain. NCDOT's western mountain airport system — connecting RHP with Asheville Regional (AVL), Hendersonville Airport, and Western Carolina Regional (OKN) in Bryson City — forms a network that keeps this corner of Appalachian North Carolina connected to the broader state economy, emergency medical system, and business community year-round despite roads that become treacherous during winter ice events.