Flight Simulator Flights at KSAC Sacramento Executive Airport

Sacramento Executive Airport is a busy general aviation field three miles south of downtown Sacramento, California, operated by the Sacramento County Department of Airports. Long the region's principal general aviation gateway, it offers an ATC tower, an ILS approach and three paved runway pairs suited to a wide range of light and business aircraft.

Overview

Sacramento Executive Airport sits just south of downtown Sacramento and has served as Northern California's leading general aviation airport since airline services moved away in 1967. It is operated by the Sacramento County Department of Airports and hosts a large number of based businesses offering charter, flight training, aircraft sales and maintenance, making it a natural destination for a simulator pilot wanting a realistic, tower-controlled GA airport close to a state capital.

Airspace & Location

The airport lies about three miles south of downtown Sacramento and falls under the Sacramento area's air traffic environment, with NorCal Approach/Departure providing radar service into and out of the field. Sacramento International Airport lies to the north, so pilots should expect coordination between the two facilities' airspace when transiting the local area.

Runways

Executive Airport has three physical runway pairs, all with hard surfaces. Runway 02/20 is the longest, at 5,571 feet on runway 02 and 5,492 feet on runway 20, and is lit with an ILS approach available to runway 02. Runway 12/30 is 3,954 feet on runway 12 and 3,824 feet on runway 30, and is also lit. Runway 16/34 is unlit, measuring 3,559 feet on runway 16 and 3,964 feet on runway 34. Field elevation is 20 feet.

Radio & Navigation

NorCal Approach/Departure works the airport on 125.25 MHz, with the airport's ATIS broadcasting on 125.5 MHz. Executive Tower operates on 119.5 MHz, which also serves as the CTAF, while Ground control uses 125.0 MHz. Rancho Radio can be reached on 122.05 MHz, and UNICOM is available on 122.95 MHz. An ILS approach is published for runway 02.

History

Executive Airport began life in 1930 as Sutterville Aerodrome, a city-owned facility that expanded steadily through the 1930s. By 1941 work was underway to pave and extend its three runways, but the United States Army Corps took over the airport for the duration of the Second World War before control reverted to the city. The field was then renamed Sacramento Municipal Airport. Through the late 1940s and early 1950s the airport gained paved parking and taxiways, water and sewer systems, and runway and taxiway lighting, and a terminal building was constructed in 1955 along with navigational aids and T-hangars. In October 1967 airline operations transferred to the newly opened Sacramento Metropolitan Airport, and Sacramento Municipal Airport was renamed Sacramento Executive Airport, with Sacramento County becoming operator of both fields.

The Airfield Today

Executive Airport today functions as the Sacramento region's primary general aviation airport, offering an FAA tower, instrument approaches, three paved runways with two of the pairs lit, and tie-down and hangar rental. More than twenty businesses are based at the field, providing full-service FBO support, charters, aircraft sales, rentals and repairs, flight training, pilot supplies, computer-based testing and car rentals. The airport is self-supporting, funded entirely through income from the businesses and individuals who use its facilities, and receives no city, county or tax funding.