TRUCKEE TAHOE AIRPORT “History and Stats”
Truckee Tahoe Airport is an FAA designated public Regional General Aviation airport. It is situated in Martis Valley approximately two miles southeast of Truckee, California and seven miles northwest of Lake Tahoe. It is managed by the Truckee Tahoe Airport District, a bi-county Special District, (1 of 9 Special Districts in California). It attracts aviat
ors, tourists and the general public alike, all enjoying the outdoor Sierra Mountain lifestyle and aviation in general. In 1933 an airstrip was cleared near the current agricultural inspection station on I-80. It was used by Boeing as an emergency landing runway for the trans-Sierra airmail route between San Francisco and Salt Lake City. In the mid-1950s, a small Chamber of Commerce representing Truckee's business owners was eager to have a modern airport that would bring tourists to the area. By 1958, the Truckee Tahoe Airport District (TTAD) was formed by a vote of the people. The first elected TTAD board, a group of local businessmen, spent their own money and lots of time to obtain state and federal funding to build a runway, a terminal building and buy property surrounding the airport. Today the airport is funded by: local property taxes, grant funds through both the California State and Federal governments and with local airport commercial enterprises such as aviation fuel sales, aircraft services and fees, and building and hangar leases. The airport’s FAA identifier code is “TRK”. It has two asphalt runways: 11/29 which is 7,000 by 100 ft (2,134 by 30 m) and 2/20 which is 4,650 by 75 ft (1,417 by 23 m). TRK covers 1,200 acres at an elevation of 5,900 ft (1,800 m) above mean sea level. As part of its open space campaign, the airport also owns neighboring land consisting of 1,500 acres at Waddle Ranch and 18 acres at Ponderosa Golf course. Of significance to airman: AWOS is on 118.0, CTAF (UNICOM) is 122.80. At average runway elevations of 5,900 ft (1,800 m), traffic pattern altitude is 7,000 ft (2,100 m), and 7,500 ft. (2,286 m) for faster moving turbo props and jets. Density altitude can exceed 9,000 ft (2,700 m) in summer months. 5-DA reminder signs are located around the field. Downdrafts can occur on final to RWY 20, which has a VASI approach. Glider pilots use left traffic RWY 20. Powered pilots use right traffic RWY 20. In the year ending December 31, 2014 the airport had 22,764 aircraft operations: 35% Piston- single engine, 5% Piston - Twin engine, 17% Turbo Prop, 16% Jet, 5% Helicopter and 22% Glider operations. That equates to an average of 62 operations per day, (though the heaviest aircraft traffic is typically over holiday weekends and busy periods during the summer and winter peak tourist seasons). Pilot services include a new terminal building built in 2012 with a pilot lounge, pilot kitchen, flight planning room, public meeting rooms, a customer service/UNICOM desk and the popular Red Truck Café (open M-Sat 9-3). Aircraft services include Fuel, 100LL and Jet A which are available 7am - 7pm, and self-serve 100LL from 7am - 9pm. GPU, LAV, TUG and Potable Water services are also available. There are 210 paved tie-downs for transient parking. The Airport has 220 hangars, 198 T-Hangars and 22 Executive or larger box hangars. The airport is attended seven days a week, 7am - 9pm. Snow removal equipment is operated round-the-clock as needed. Flight Instruction, aircraft rentals, pre-heating, oxygen services and aircraft maintenance are offered by local FBO Sierra Aero. No de-icing services are currently available at TRK. Come visit us at Truckee Tahoe Airport! Aviators, please fly safe, follow our Good Neighbor “Noise Abatement” procedures and be aware of our high altitude mountain flying conditions.
