Dyess AFB Airport (KDYS), Texas
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Dyess AFB (KDYS) is a private-use military airfield in Abilene, Texas, supporting resident bomber and airlift wings with a 13,500-foot concrete runway among the longest in the region. Civilian and transient business aviation access is limited and governed by prior permission requirements rather than standard commercial arrangements. FAA TFMSC data shows cross-border-relevant business aviation traffic at this tier-2 field remained modest in 2025, consistent with its primary military mission. The nearest civilian neighbor, Abilene Regional, lies under nine nautical miles to the east.
Runways
Dyess AFB Airport has three paved and unpaved runways. The longest, 16/34, is 13,500 ft long and 300 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Dyess AFB Airport has Jet A+ available on the field. The airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Dyess AFB Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Midland International Air and Space Port (KMAF), 123 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Dyess AFB Airport recorded 33 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in April. Business aviation traffic at Dyess AFB concentrated in March and April in 2025, with most other months showing minimal or no recorded activity.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month April, 10 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is 4.1 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Dyess AFB Airport has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental and other notes.
Restriction: Inbound aircraft with DV code 6 or above must contact airfield operations 20 minutes prior to arrival Monday through Friday, and contact the command post on UHF. On weekends and holidays, 45 minutes prior notice is required.
Prior permission is required; contact airfield management by email for the PPR request form. Minimum 24-hour notice is required, and requests should be made no more than 7 days prior. PPR is valid plus or minus 30 minutes of scheduled landing time. All diverting aircraft must contact airfield management to confirm ramp space and transient service availability.
Restriction: no arrivals or departures are permitted when lightning is within 5 nautical miles without OG/CC approval.
Restriction: PPR is valid plus or minus 30 minutes. PPR will not be issued for transient aircraft requiring runway 163/343 or runway 164/344. LZ 164/344 has a non-standard lighting system. Transient aircraft must obtain a briefing from the 317th Operations Support Squadron prior to night operations. Without formal notification from the 317th OSS, transient aircraft using runway 163/343 or 164/344 at night without lights, whether overt or covert, and with respective MAJCOM/A3 approval, must notify airfield management and request a separate NOTAM for unlighted landing zone operations.
Restriction: B-52 aircraft approaching or landing at Dyess AFB must provide at least 2 to 4 hours' notice before arrival for airfield preparation.
Bearing strength for runway 161/341: all-up weight 155.
The runway landing zone is closed.
Caution: aircraft larger than a C-130 are only permitted to make 180-degree turns on the concrete surface at the north and south ends of runway 16-34.
Traffic pattern: runway separation restrictions apply to all local aircraft. B-1 aircraft require 8,000 feet and C-130 aircraft require 5,000 feet separation. B-1 operations require a minimum ceiling and visibility of 1,500 feet and 3 statute miles, with a dry runway surface.
Caution: extensive VFR assault strip traffic occurs west of runway 16-34.
Caution: airfield signage requires B-52 aircraft to exit runway 16-34 at taxiway F.
Miscellaneous: airfield weather is maintained by an AN/FMQ-19 ASOS, augmented by human observation when required. ATC will relay tower prevailing visibility, RCR/RSC, and virga remarks to aircraft. Augmented surface visibility is restricted from 090 to 160 degrees due to a building obstruction.
Caution: numerous unmarked spalls are present throughout runway 16/34. Contact airfield management operations for further information.
Restriction: quiet hour policy is in effect from 0400 to 1000Z++.
Caution: during moderate and severe bird watch conditions, aircrews should comply with owning MAJCOM or unit guidance. Current bird watch conditions can be obtained from ATIS or PTD. BASH Phase II is in effect April through June and September through November.
Caution: intensive training and formation flights of heavy aircraft occur in the immediate vicinity.
Miscellaneous: all AMC aircraft must contact AMCC prior to arrival.
Customs, agriculture, and immigration: customs is available; contact security forces 24 hours in advance.
Traffic pattern: during VMC, departing aircraft must remain at or below 3,000 feet until the field boundary to ensure separation from VFR overhead traffic.
Fluid: LPOX de-icing fluid is used.
Service: transient alert service is available Monday through Friday, 1400-0400Z++; closed on weekends and holidays.
Caution: COMSEC material is stored at the command post.
Miscellaneous: for customs information, refer to the FCG or AP-1 publication.
Parking spots A1 and B1 are used for taxi operations only.
Restriction: parking spots A12, A13, and A20 are designated aircraft ground equipment spots.
Restriction: the TYE ramp is closed.
Restriction: taxiway G is restricted to daylight operations only, except for NVG operations and maintenance towing.
Service, fuel: A+ is the NATO F-24 equivalent with extra additives, CI/LI and SDA.
Restriction: parking spots A1 and B1 are available for taxi use only.
Communications, tower: UHF-equipped aircraft shall use frequency 257.675 to the maximum extent possible.
Miscellaneous: weather forecast service is available during airfield operating hours. All 175-1 weather requests require 2 hours' notice.
Transient alert: no military fleet service is available; limited transient service is available.
Operating hours: the field operates 1300-0559Z++ Monday through Friday for all aircraft, and 1500-2300Z++ Saturday and Sunday for 7 BW and 317 AW aircraft only. Closed on holidays, holiday weekends, and AFGSC family days. In case of after-hours emergency, notify the 7 BW command post.
Miscellaneous: fire bottles are located at the north and south hammerheads.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Dyess AFB Airport has five airfields within 43 NM. The closest is Abilene Regional (KABI), 8.86 NM east.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KDYS
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$1,200.00 catering order at KDYS.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is KDYS open to civilian business aviation traffic?
Dyess AFB (KDYS) is a private-use military airfield near Abilene, Texas, not a public civilian airport. Access requires prior permission from airfield management, arranged through the base rather than a commercial FBO. Business aviation activity at this field is minimal, reflecting its role supporting the resident bomber and airlift wings. Transient civilian traffic should expect military-style scheduling and approval procedures rather than standard commercial handling.
What are the operating hours at Dyess AFB?
Dyess AFB operates 1300-0559Z Monday through Friday for all aircraft. On weekends, hours are limited to 1500-2300Z and restricted to 7 BW and 317 AW aircraft only. The field is closed on holidays, holiday weekends, and AFGSC family days. After-hours emergencies are handled by notifying the 7 BW command post rather than a standard operations desk.
How long is the main runway at KDYS and what aircraft can it support?
The primary runway at Dyess AFB, 16/34, is a 13,500-foot concrete surface at 300 feet wide, among the longest paved runways in the region. Two shorter unpaved and semi-paved runways, 163/343 and 164/344, are also present but transient aircraft are not issued prior permission to use them. Bearing strength data given for runway 161/341 lists an AUW of 155. Aircraft larger than a C-130 face restrictions on 180-degree turns at the north and south ends of 16/34.
Is customs available at Dyess AFB, or where is the nearest customs facility?
Customs processing at Dyess AFB (KDYS) requires contacting security forces at least 24 hours in advance rather than being available on demand. The nearest dedicated customs airport of entry is Midland International Air and Space Port (KMAF), located about 122.56 nautical miles away. Aircrews should also reference the FCG or AP-1 publication for further customs guidance specific to this field. Advance coordination is essential given the military nature of the facility.