Chowchilla Airport (O26) — Madera County, California

Chowchilla Airport, designated by the FAA with identifier O26, is a public-use general aviation facility located in Chowchilla, Madera County, California. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 240 feet above mean sea level, this airport serves the agricultural heartland of the San Joaquin Valley, providing essential air access for the Chowchilla community and surrounding Madera County regions. The airport covers roughly 168 acres and features a single asphalt runway oriented to accommodate the prevailing wind patterns of California's Central Valley.

The primary runway at Chowchilla Airport runs approximately 3,800 feet in length, making it suitable for single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft commonly used in agricultural operations, charter flights, and private travel throughout Madera County. The facility operates as an uncontrolled airport with no operating air traffic control tower, meaning pilots rely on Unicom frequency communications and standard traffic pattern procedures. The Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) allows pilots to announce their positions and intentions when approaching or departing the airport.

Located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, Chowchilla Airport plays a meaningful role in supporting the area's extensive agricultural sector. Madera County's farming operations — including almond orchards, dairy farms, and grape vineyards — generate significant demand for aerial agricultural services such as crop dusting, aerial surveys, and rapid cargo movements. Local agricultural businesses depend on general aviation infrastructure like Chowchilla Airport to maintain competitive, time-sensitive operations across the valley floor.

The City of Chowchilla, with a population of approximately 18,000 residents, is situated along State Route 99 between Fresno and Merced, placing the airport in a strategically accessible corridor of the Central Valley. The surrounding region includes Madera County's rural communities, the Chowchilla River basin, and the broader agricultural plain stretching toward the Sierra Nevada foothills. Pilots flying into Chowchilla enjoy relatively flat terrain and generally favorable weather conditions, though San Joaquin Valley tule fog during winter months requires careful instrument flight planning.

For pilots transiting California's Central Valley, Chowchilla Airport offers a convenient fuel and rest stop between larger regional airports. The nearest commercial service airports are Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), located approximately 40 miles to the southeast, and Merced Regional Airport (MCE), situated roughly 30 miles to the northwest. These facilities provide commercial airline connections while Chowchilla serves the critical general aviation gap in between.

Aircraft owners and operators based at Chowchilla Airport benefit from tie-down and hangar availability, providing secure storage for locally-based aircraft. The airport's proximity to Highway 99 ensures quick ground access from Chowchilla's downtown area, with the facility positioned to serve both business and recreational aviation users throughout Madera County. Flight training, aerial photography, and personal travel represent common uses for pilots operating from this Central Valley airport.

Chowchilla Airport is owned and operated as a public-use facility, maintaining the infrastructure necessary to support safe general aviation operations in an underserved rural corridor. The California Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics maintains oversight of California's general aviation system, of which Chowchilla Airport is a registered component, ensuring that rural communities retain meaningful access to the national airspace system. Pilots planning visits should consult current NOTAMs through the FAA's official systems and verify fuel availability prior to arrival, as services at uncontrolled rural airports can vary.

Chowchilla Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Chowchilla, North Dakota.

Name Chowchilla Airport
Address 16487 Avenue 25, Chowchilla CA 93610 Map
Phone (559) 665-8630
Website
Hours

Map of Chowchilla Airport


Frequently Asked Questions — Chowchilla Airport (O26)

Chowchilla Airport carries the FAA identifier O26 and is located in Chowchilla, Madera County, California, within the San Joaquin Valley. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 240 feet MSL along the Central Valley corridor between Fresno and Merced. It is a public-use general aviation airport without an operating control tower, meaning pilots use the CTAF for traffic advisories when arriving and departing.

Chowchilla Airport's asphalt runway measures approximately 3,800 feet in length, which accommodates single-engine piston aircraft, light twin-engine aircraft, and small turboprops. It is well-suited for Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, and similar general aviation platforms. Larger business jets or regional turboprops with higher runway length requirements should evaluate aircraft performance charts carefully before planning operations at O26, particularly under hot Central Valley summer temperatures that reduce effective runway performance.

The nearest commercial service airport to Chowchilla is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), approximately 30 miles to the northwest, which offers limited scheduled service. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is about 40 miles southeast and provides more extensive commercial airline connections to major hubs including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and beyond. Travelers needing commercial flights from the Chowchilla area typically drive to one of these two facilities. For general aviation, Madera Municipal Airport (MAE) is also nearby, roughly 20 miles to the south.

Chowchilla Airport offers tie-down space and hangar storage for based aircraft, supporting the local general aviation community in Madera County. Fuel availability at rural uncontrolled airports like O26 can vary, and pilots are strongly advised to verify current fuel service by checking the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) or contacting the airport directly before planning a fuel stop. Always check current NOTAMs through the FAA's system for any service interruptions, runway conditions, or temporary flight restrictions affecting operations at Chowchilla Airport.

The primary weather hazard for pilots operating at Chowchilla Airport is San Joaquin Valley tule fog, which typically forms during late fall and winter months — November through February. This dense radiation fog can reduce visibility to near zero along the valley floor with little warning and may persist well into mid-morning hours. Pilots should file IFR flight plans and hold appropriate instrument ratings when flying during tule fog season. Summer operations involve high density altitude conditions due to elevated temperatures exceeding 100°F, which noticeably reduces aircraft climb performance. Wind shear associated with afternoon thermal activity is also possible during warm months.

External Links: