Charleston International Airport

CHS · KCHS · Charleston, SC · Towered · Print kneeboard

Elevation
46 ft MSL
Longest runway
9,001 ft 15/33
Runways
2
Mag var
7W
Airport diagram FAA airport diagram for KCHS FAA airport diagramView full size ↓

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Weather

METAR observed

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TAF forecast

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Sun & FAA night2026-08-03 · night begins 08:44 PM
EventLocal (EDT)UTC
Morning civil twilight
Loggable night ends
06:08 AM10:08Z
Sunrise06:35 AM10:35Z
Sunset08:17 PM00:17Z
Evening civil twilight
Loggable night begins
08:44 PM00:44Z
Loggable night (§1.1)
08:44 PM → 06:08 AM
Night currency (§61.57)
09:17 PM → 05:35 AM

Plan a flight from KCHS

Past 24 hours category · wind · ceiling · visibility trends

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Winds aloft NOAA forecast · 3,000 to 53,000 ft

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Advisories

NOTAMs

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Pilot reports

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Airspace hazards

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Runways

5,000 ftNMNxw 065°downwind 335°base 245°final 155°45° entry15213303

RWY 15LEFT traffic

Heading
155° mag · 148° true
Dimensions
9,001 × 150 ft
TPA
1,000 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface
Concrete
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + ALSF2
ILS
ILS · CAT II · LOC 109.7 (CHS) · GS 3.00°
CTAF
122.95
More details — RWY 15
Threshold elev
43 ft
Markings
precision
Threshold crossing height
50 ft
TDZ elevation
43 ft
LAHSO
5,450 ft (hold short of 03/21)
End lights
centerline, TDZ
Arresting gear
BAK-12

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. PCN 93.

Pattern side: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: FAA runway-end coordinates

ft · ≥1.5× comfortable, under 1.25× tight · saved across airports

Prefer one flat page? Full runway details for KCHS → · New to pattern entries? The 45° entry, explained → · Teaching here? Print the KCHS kneeboard →

Comms & NavAids

Communication frequencies

Before taxi

“Charleston”
ATIS
124.75
Clearance — primary
127.325

Taxi & takeoff

“Charleston”
Ground — primary
121.9
Tower — primary
126.0

Departure & arrival

“Charleston”
App/Dep
120.7 151-330 · BAGGY · OSPRI arrivals; LGRHD · STUNO departures 121.275 331-150 · AMYLU arrivals; MLTRE · PLMTO · SWPFX departures

Also

UNICOM
122.95
Flight service
122.1R 122.2
Emergency
121.5

ATC assigns the exact frequency (in your clearance or on handoff) — which one depends on your SID (departing) or STAR (arriving).

By procedure & sector (14 frequencies)
FrequencyUsed by
120.7BAGGY STAR · CLASS C (151-330) · LGRHD DP · OSPRI STAR · STUNO DP
121.275AMYLU STAR (331-150) · CLASS C (331-150) · MLTRE DP (331-150) · PLMTO DP (331-150) · SWPFX DP (331-150)
134.1OPS (PALMETTO)
239.0LCL/P
243.0EMERG
255.5OPS (PALMETTO, QUICK TIMING)
284.0APCH/S
291.65CD/P
306.925APCH/P DEP/P IC (151-330) · BAGGY STAR · CLASS C (151-330) · LGRHD DP · OSPRI STAR · STUNO DP
317.45APCH/S
348.6GND/P
349.4OPS (PALMETTO)
372.2PTD
379.925AMYLU STAR (331-150) · APCH/P DEP/P (331-150) · CLASS C (331-150) · MLTRE DP (331-150) · PLMTO DP (331-150) · SWPFX DP (331-150)

Source: FAA NASR (current 28-day cycle).

Instrument landing systems

RWY 15 · RWY 33
RunwayILS
RWY 15ILS · CAT II · LOC 109.7 (CHS) · GS 3.00°
RWY 33ILS · CAT I · LOC 108.9 (CCI) · GS 3.00°

Source: FAA NASR (current 28-day cycle).

Nearby navigation aids

CHS 113.50
NavAidTypeFreq · chRangeRadial / Dist magnetic
CHS · Charleston VORTAC 113.50 · 82X High r356° / 0.1 NM

Prefer one flat list? All KCHS frequencies →

Charts & procedures

Airport
Approaches
Departures
Arrivals
Minimums
Airport

Lowest minimums here: ILS with vertical guidance · VFR sectional →

Airport info

From the field

Do you run KCHS, or an FBO, flight school, or shop on it? Claim your listing to keep fuel, fees, hours, and services current.

Airport information

ICAO / IATA
KCHS / CHS
Coordinates
32.8962, -80.0382
Elevation
46 ft MSL
Magnetic variation
7W
Sectional chart
CHARLOTTE
Airport use
Public
Control tower
Yes
Tower hours
24 hours
Airspace
Class C
Weather station
ASOS · 124.75 · ☎ 843-214-2525
ARTCC
JACKSONVILLE (ZJX)
Flight service (FSS)
ANDERSON · 122.1R, 122.2 · 1-800-WX-BRIEF
FSS outlet
RCO → Anderson Radio (24)
NOTAM facility
CHS
Attendance
ALL ALL
Beacon
white-green (SS-SR)
Segmented circle
No
Wind indicator
yes
FAR 139 class
I C
Access
Joint civil-military use
Activated
1937/10
Distance from city
9 NW

Night operations

Rotating beacon
white-green · SS-SR
Pilot-controlled lighting
Usually keyed on CTAF 122.95 — confirm the click sequence in the Chart Supplement ↗

Runway lighting aids — 03: 4-light PAPI (left) · 21: 4-light PAPI (left) · 15: 4-light PAPI (left) + ALSF2 · 33: 4-light PAPI (left) + MALSR.

FAA night windows (civil twilight, loggable night §1.1, currency §61.57) are under Sun & FAA night in the Weather section.

Services fuel · repairs · oxygen · attendance
Fuel available
100, Jet A-1 (additive)
Bottled oxygen
NONE
Bulk oxygen
HIGH
Airframe service
MAJOR
Powerplant service
MAJOR
Parking
tiedowns, hangars
Other services
Avionics, Charter, Aircraft sales
Ownership & management 2 contacts
Owner
USAF
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON AFB, SC
(843) 963-3028
Manager
ELLIOTT SUMMEY
5500 INTL BLVD, CHARLESTON, SC
843-761-7000
Remarks FAA · 46 notes

General

  • LIQUID OXYGEN SERVING AVBL TO MILITARY.
  • NO STUDENT SOLO TOUCH AND GO LANDING ALLOWED.
  • PPR FOR PARKING OF GENERAL AVIATION ACFT ON TERMINAL RAMP CTC 843-767-1100.
  • INTENSIVE HEAVY MIL JETS & OTHER MISC ACFT EXECUTING NUMEROUS CARGO & PERSONNEL DROPS, HIGH SPEED LOW-LEVEL FORMATION FLTS & MISC AIR-TO-GROUND OPNS.
  • PARKING ON TERMINAL APRON RESTRICTED TO COMMERCIAL AIR CARRIER AND ACFT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT ONLY.
  • JASU: 8(MD-3M) 2(MA-1A) (M32A-60) (M32A-60A)
  • FLUID: SOAP - ROUTINE SOAP SAMPLES NOT AVBL; SP PRESAIR LHOX LOX
  • OIL: NON-DETERGENT OIL NOT AVBL FOR PISTON ACFT. O-128-133-148(MIL)
  • SEE FLIP AP/1 SUPPLEMENTARY ARPT RMK.
  • RSTD: ALL INBD VIP CODE 7 OR HI, PAX, CARGO ACFT MUST CTC PALMETTO OPS NO LATER THAN 30 MIN PRIOR TO LDG.
  • RSTD: AMC ACFT OPR RSTD DUR BIRD WATCH COND MODERATE (TKOF OR LDG PERMS ONLY WHEN DEP/ARR RTE AVOID IDENT BIRD ACT, NO LCL IFR/VFR TFC PAT ACFT) AND SEVERE (TKOF AND LDG PROH WO OG/CC APVL), CTC PALMETTO OPS FOR CURRENT BIRD WATCH COND.
  • RSTD: ALL ACFT MUST CTC PALMETTO OPS PRIOR TO ENTERING MIL RAMP FOR PRK ASGN.
  • RSTD: NON-AMC AIRCREWS REQ RON SVC CTC COMD POST (PALMETTO OPS) DSN 673-8400, C843-963-8400 PRIOR ARR. TRML APN RSTD TO COML AIR CARRIER AND ACFT FOR CSTMS CLNC BY PPR.
  • CAUTION: MIGRATORY BIRD SEASON PHASE II 1-15 APR AND 1 AUG-30 NOV. RWY 15-33 RAISED APCH LGT IN OVRN, RY 03-21 OVRN 800FT.
  • TFC PAT: RECTANGULAR 1200 FT, OVERHEAD 1700 FT, LGT ACFT 700 FT, C5A 2000 FT.
  • MISC: AFLD MGMT DSN 673-3024/6, C843-963-3024/6. AFLD MGMT OUT OF OFFICE CTC NR C854-274-8453. IF CIV SIDE OF ARPT IS FINAL DESTN, ACFT COMDR WILL SO INDICATE ON DD 175. DANGEROUS CARGO ACFT CTC PTD PRIM, PALMETTO OPS SECD. ALL AMC MSN ACFT CTC PALMETTO OPS WHEN WITHIN RDO RNG.
  • MISC: PMSV RDO UNAVBL. PMSV/PHONE PATCH AVBL THRU 628 CP DSN 673-8400 C843-963-8400. WX FLT CLOSED WKENDS, HOL AND DOWN DAYS. MIL WX FLD AFLD SUPPORT AVBL 24/7 FOR SVR WX, C843-754-1956. MSN WX SUPPORT HRS 1100-2300Z++ MON-THU AND 1100-2100Z++ FRI, DSN 673-3016/3644, C843-963-3016, CLSD WKEND, HOL, AND DOWN DAYS. MSN WX SUPPORT BRFGS FOR AIRCREW AVBL VIA THE 260WS/BARKSDALE AFB DSN 331-2651/C318-529-2651 DUR MIL WX FLT CLOSURE HRS.
  • SERVICE-LGT: AIRFIELD BEACON NOT VISIBLE FROM NW.
  • MISC: TMPRY STOR OF CLASSIFIED MATERIALS: LTD CLASSIFIED STOR AVBL. 24 HR PN RQR WITH AFLD MGMT. PRIOR COORD RQR. CTC BASE OPS 24 PRIOR TO ARR. NO CLASSIFIED STOR AT COMD POST. FOR TOP SECRET STOR CTC 437 SOS 24 HR PRIOR TO ARR DSN 673-0955, C843-963-0955.
  • SERVICE: KCHS MIL PROVIDES NO SECURITY AND NO ACFT SERVICES AT FBO'S AND COMMERCIAL TERMINAL.
  • RSTD: RWY 03-21 CLSD 2ND TUE EA MONTH 1330-2200Z++. RWY 15-33 CLSD LAST TUE OF EA MONTH 1330-2200Z++.
  • CAUTION: RY 15-33 1000 FT OVERRUNS HAS FRANGIBLE RAISED APCH LIGHTS.
  • CAUTION: MIL RAMP ACFT CONTACT CHS GND CONTROL FOR ENG START & TAXI.
  • RSTD: RVR AVAIL VIA FAA ATCT.
  • MISC: AFLD SFC WX OBS TAKEN IAW FAA CRITERIA, NOT AF CRITERIA.
  • SERVICE FUEL: ALL ACFT RQR FUEL, PLEASE HAVE IN YOUR POSSESSION THE WHITE DD FORM 1896 FUEL CARD, US GOVT AIR CARD OR YOUR BASE BILLING INFO.
  • TRANS ACFT FOR MIL RAMP FOLLOW-ME RQR. MIL ACFT FOR FBO PRK/SVC RQR PPR (843-746-7600).
  • CAUTION: RY 21 - FREQ PRK TRAIN CARS (25 FT AGL), CONSTRUCTION/UTILITY STORAGE YARD (20 FT AGL) 1000 FT FR THLD AND GRAVEL PILES (50 FT AGL) 1500 FT FR THLD.
  • RSTD: PPR, EXC AIREVAC, SAM AND AMC GDSSII MSN, FOR NUMBER AND LCL TRNG FLT TRAN ALERT SUPPORT CTC AFLD MGMT DSN 673-3024/6, C843-963-3024/6.
  • CAUTION: REDUCED FIRE SUPPORT FOR C-5 AND AN-124 ACFT, DEGRADATION OF FIRE FIGHTING CAPABILITY. C-5/AN-124 WITH EMERGENCY MUST CLOSELY COORDINATE RQR WITH PALMETTO OPS.
  • CAUTION: MIL SIDE WG TIP CLNC LINES: TWY D 161 FT FR TWY CNTRLN AND RAMP INTER-TXY 115 FT FR CNTRLN.
  • RSTD: C5, B747, AND AN-124 ACFT TAXI WITH OUTBOARD ENG AT IDLE.
  • FUEL: A++(MIL), A+(ATLANTIC AVN, C843-746-7600) (NC-100, A1+).
  • CAUTION: FUEL PIT/SWITCH OBST 36 IN HIGH LCTD 75 FT LEFT OF TWY D CNTLN N OF TWY E.
  • CAUTION: RY 15-33 1 FT RAISED THLD LGT.
  • MISC: PAX TRML OPR 0930-0330Z++ DLY. AFTER HRS CTC DSN 673-7005/7006 OR C843-963-7005/7006. C-17 ENG RUNNING ONLOADS/OFFLOADS AVBL 24 HR PN. CTC 437 APS DSN 673-3193/4 C843-963-3193/4 FOR COORD/APVL. PASS PAX/CARGO INFO TO PALMETTO OPS 3 HRS PRIOR TO ARR.
  • SERVICE-LGT: RWY 15 ALSF-2 ALSO OPR AS SSALR DUR VMC.
  • ALL AIRCRAFT USE UPPER ANTENNA UNTIL AIRBORNE.
  • RWY COND CODE (RWYCC) NOT RPTD.
  • AFLD GRASS CUTTING OPS CONDUCTED IN CTL MOVEMENT AREA YR ROUND; CTC AFLD MGMT FOR DLY LCTN.
  • MISC: COMBAT OFF-LOAD OPS ON N END OF TWY D MUST ENSURE THAT PALLETS LAND PRIOR TO LEAD-IN LINE TO RWY 15 APCH END; CTC GND IF PALLET LANDS BYD LEAD-IN LINE.
  • RSTD: EXP RWY 15/33 OPS SUSPD 1230-1300Z++DLY FOR A-G INSPECTION.
  • MISC: RWY 15/33 AND 3/21 GROOVED.

Lighting

  • LGTS FOR BOTH RWYS ARE AF SPEC TYPE.

Contact

  • ELLIOTT SUMMEY IS THE DIR OF ARPTS FOR THE CHARLESTON REGIONAL AVN AUTH. THE AIR FORCE AIRFIELD MGR CAN BE CTCD AT 843-963-3024.
  • THIS IS A SHARED-USE AIRPORT. THE USAF OWNS AND OPERATES ALL RUNWAYS AND THE MAJORITY OF THE TAXIWAYS. THE CHARLESTON COUNTY AVIATION AUTHORITY OPERATES THE CIVILIAN TERMINAL AND ASSOCIATED TAXIWAYS.
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Nearby airports

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Also nearby: SC98 Mount Holly Airport (private) (10 NM) · SC65 Raven's Run Airport (private) (12 NM) · SC42 Hondarosa Airport (private) (13 NM)

About KCHS

Charleston International Airport (CHS · KCHS) is an airport in Charleston, SC, at 46 ft MSL. It has 2 runways, the longest 9,001 ft, with a control tower. This page shows live METAR/TAF weather, runway crosswinds, frequencies, navaids, and FAA charts for KCHS, refreshed from the Aviation Weather Center and FAA NASR.

Does KCHS have a control tower?

Yes. Charleston International Airport has an operating FAA control tower. See the Comms & NavAids section for tower and ground frequencies.

What is the longest runway at KCHS?

Charleston International Airport has 2 runways; the longest is 9,001 ft. See the Runways section for headings, surface, and lighting.

Where is KCHS?

Charleston International Airport is in Charleston, SC, at an elevation of 46 ft MSL. Coordinates: 32.8962, -80.0382.

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Weather is live from the Aviation Weather Center; airport facility data is from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle). For planning and education only; always verify against official sources. Open KCHS in a full tool: METAR/TAF decoder, crosswind calculator, sun & night times, or the density altitude calculator. Planning from here? Find the nearest airport with fuel or an approach, or check whether an IFR alternate is required.