Palo Alto Airport (KPAO) - Stanford Flying Club

Airport Information

Palo Alto Airport (KPAO)

Airport Specifications

Runway 31/13: 2,443' x 70'
Elevation: 7 ft MSL
Frequencies:
- Tower: 118.6
- Ground: 125.0
- ATIS: 135.275

Pilot Resources

Official METAR (KPAO) SkyVector (VFR Chart) LiveATC (Tower, Ground, & ATIS) Noise Abatement Procedures

VFR Reporting Points

Dumbarton Bridge: VPWAM

Train Bridge: (Visual)

Coyote Hills: VPCOY

Stanford Stadium: (Visual)

KGO: VPKGO

SLAC / Linear Accelerator:
VPSLA

Leslie Salt: VPSLT

Oakland Coliseum: VPCOL

San Mateo Bridge: VPMID

Sunken Ship: (Visual)

Stanford University: (Visual)

Local Arrival Procedures (Runway 31 in Use)

Arriving from the East

Commonly via the Sunol Gap or passing east of Reid-Hillview (KRHV). Expect to report Leslie Salt (VPSLT), Coyote Hills (VPCOY), or Niles Canyon at 1,500’ MSL.

Tip: If told to "make right traffic runway 31," fly direct to KGO (VPKGO), a grouping of three AM radio antennas at the east end of the Dumbarton bridge. From there, head due south to enter the 45° entry to the 800' right downwind.

Arriving from the West

Commonly via The Dish (VPDSH) or SLAC (VPSLA). You may be instructed to "make left traffic runway 31."

Tip: Noise abatement requires staying above 1,500’ MSL on the city side of Highway 101, but the pattern is 1,000'. Head toward Stanford Stadium and descend into the pattern before reaching Highway 101.

Arriving from the North

Requires active contact with ATC. The standard route avoids busy airspace by transitioning over Oakland (KOAK).

Tip: While you must always fly as directed by ATC, the usual routing is direct to the Oakland Coliseum (VPCOL) at 2,500’ MSL, then crossing the KOAK Runway 30 numbers at 2,000’ MSL, and finally the mid-span of the San Mateo Bridge (VPMID) at 1,400’ MSL. From there, fly over the "Sunken Ship" to enter the 45° entry for the right downwind.

Transitioning from the Southeast and Southwest

Transitioning through the San Jose Class C is a scenic and efficient option.

Tip: Contact NorCal Approach for routing to Palo Alto. Expect to overfly KSJC at 2,000' MSL and then Moffett (KNUQ) at or above 1,500' MSL. You will typically be handed off to KPAO Tower over Moffett for a straight-in to runway 31.

Local Departure Procedures (Runway 31 in Use)

Initial Takeoff Procedure

For departures on Runway 31, a 10° right turn (heading approximately 318°) is standard for noise abatement to follow the bay. However, always fly as directed by ATC, who may assign a crosswind departure or other routing.

Tip: For Dumbarton departures, maintain the 318° heading until reaching the Dumbarton Auto Bridge before initiating your turn.

Common Departures

Left/Right Dumbarton: Standard noise abatement routing. Fly toward the bridge before turning.
- Right: Turn right at the bridge for east/northeast.
- Left: Turn left at the bridge for west/south. Cross Hwy 101 at or above 1,500' MSL.
Left Downwind: A common departure involving a turn into the left downwind leg before exiting the pattern.
Northern Departure: Often the reverse of the northern arrival. Expect routing toward the mid-span of the San Mateo Bridge (VPMID).

Official Information

Palo Alto Airport is owned and operated by the City of Palo Alto. All transient parking fees are handled and collected by the City.

City Airport Page Palo Alto Airport Association

Services & Transport

Rideshare: Uber/Lyft pickup is at the Main Terminal or near Advantage Aviation.

Rossi Aircraft (Fuel & Maintenance) Aero Works (Maintenance)

Dining & Recreation

Dining Options

Palo Alto Airport offers excellent dining options within walking distance of the ramp.

Cloud 9 Coffee: Located near the airport beacon, offering pastries, coffee, tea, salads, and tartines. Visit Website
Baylands Cafe: Located at the adjacent golf course clubhouse, offering a full menu in a relaxed setting. Visit Website
Antojos Michoacanos La Morena: Located on Embarcadero Road by the Honda dealership, this food truck serves tasy Mexican fare Monday through Friday.

Recreation & Golf

The airport is uniquely situated next to premier recreational facilities.

Baylands Golf Links: A beautiful 18-hole course accessible from the airport.
Visit Website
Baylands Nature Preserve: Over 1,900 acres of marshland with trails for walking and bird watching, accessible just outside the airport gate. Visit Website