Madera Municipal Airport (MAE) — Madera, California

Madera Municipal Airport (FAA identifier: MAE) serves the agricultural heartland of the San Joaquin Valley, located approximately 2 miles northwest of downtown Madera, California. Situated at an elevation of 255 feet above mean sea level, this general aviation facility spans roughly 680 acres and provides essential air access for the region's farming operations, business travel, and private aviation community.

The airport features two asphalt runways: Runway 12/30, measuring 5,500 feet in length, and Runway 6/24, stretching 3,900 feet. Both runways are equipped to handle single-engine and multi-engine piston aircraft, turboprops, and light jets. The field operates as a non-towered facility, requiring pilots to self-announce on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) of 122.8 MHz. A rotating beacon operates dusk to dawn, and the Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL) system allows arriving aircraft to activate runway lights after hours.

Madera Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the City of Madera and falls under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Aeronautics for state oversight. The airport is classified as a General Aviation Reliever airport under the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), a designation that recognizes its role in relieving congestion at nearby Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), located approximately 22 miles to the southeast.

On-site services include self-service 100LL aviation gasoline, with Jet-A availability through prior arrangement with local fixed-base operators. Tie-down space is available for transient aircraft, with both short-term and monthly rates managed through the airport office. A pilot lounge, weather briefing terminals, and restroom facilities serve visiting aviators. Aircraft maintenance services, avionics repair, and flight instruction are offered by tenants operating from the airport's hangars.

The surrounding Madera County economy is deeply tied to agriculture — the region produces almonds, wine grapes, peaches, and dairy products — and MAE plays a direct role in supporting this sector. Agricultural spray operators, crop survey flights, and charter services connecting local farming enterprises to markets in the Bay Area and Southern California all utilize the airport regularly. The proximity to the Sierra Nevada foothills also makes Madera Municipal a staging point for aerial firefighting operations coordinated through the U.S. Forest Service during wildfire season.

For pilots flying into the Central Valley, Madera Municipal offers a practical alternative to the busier Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Traffic at FAT, which handles over 2 million commercial passengers annually, can create airspace congestion, making MAE a quieter and more accessible option for general aviation operations. The airport sits beneath the Fresno Class C airspace, so VFR pilots transiting the area should monitor the Fresno Approach Control frequency and be aware of the Mode C veil requirements.

Ground transportation from MAE into Madera city center is available via rental car services arranged in advance. Madera's downtown is a 5–10 minute drive from the airport, offering dining, lodging, and access to Highway 99, which connects the city to Fresno to the south and Merced to the north. The California High-Speed Rail project has a planned station in Madera, which may further enhance regional connectivity in coming years.

For current NOTAMs, weather observations, and airport information, pilots should consult the FAA's official resources or contact the Madera Airport office directly. The airport identifier MAE is active in all major electronic flight planning databases, including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and SkyVector.

Madera Municipal Airport - MAE Contact Information

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

Name Madera Municipal Airport - MAE
Address 4020 Aviation Drive, Madera CA 93637 Map
Phone (559) 661-3687
Website
Hours

Map of Madera Municipal Airport - MAE


Frequently Asked Questions — Madera Municipal Airport (MAE)

Madera Municipal Airport's FAA identifier is MAE. The airport is located approximately 2 miles northwest of downtown Madera, California, in the San Joaquin Valley. It sits at an elevation of 255 feet MSL and covers roughly 680 acres. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Madera.

Madera Municipal Airport offers self-service 100LL (avgas) fueling on-site. Jet-A fuel may be available through prior arrangement with local FBO tenants. Additional services include aircraft tie-downs (transient and monthly), a pilot lounge, weather briefing terminals, hangars, flight instruction, and aircraft maintenance. Pilots are advised to call ahead to confirm current fuel availability and service hours.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is approximately 22 miles southeast of MAE and handles commercial airline traffic exceeding 2 million passengers annually, with associated Class C airspace and ATC requirements. Madera Municipal is a non-towered general aviation airport classified as an NPIAS reliever, making it quieter and more accessible for private pilots and charter operations. VFR pilots operating near MAE should be aware of the Fresno Class C airspace boundary and the Mode C veil that extends over the Madera area.

MAE has two asphalt runways. Runway 12/30 is the primary runway at 5,500 feet in length, suitable for turboprops and light jets in addition to piston aircraft. Runway 6/24 measures 3,900 feet and supports smaller general aviation aircraft. The airport is non-towered; pilots use the CTAF frequency of 122.8 MHz for traffic advisories. Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL) is available for night operations, activated via radio on the CTAF frequency.

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