Joint Base Andrews (KADW), Maryland
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Joint Base Andrews (KADW) is a towered military airfield in Camp Springs, Maryland, serving official business operations under Air Force and Navy commands rather than public or general aviation traffic. Located within the Washington DC Flight Restricted Zone, the field combines a long primary runway built for presidential and strategic airlift missions with a secondary runway supporting mixed military traffic, and it recorded 5,336 business aviation operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data.
Runways
Joint Base Andrews has two paved runways. The longest, 01L/19R, is 11,301 ft long and 200 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Joint Base Andrews does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Ronald Reagan Washington National (KDCA), 8 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Joint Base Andrews recorded 5,336 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in March. Business aviation traffic at Joint Base Andrews (KADW) is concentrated in the spring months, with March, April, and May recording the highest monthly operations of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month March, 532 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Joint Base Andrews has published operating constraints in six categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, noise procedures, environmental and other notes.
Restriction: on runway 01R/19L, operation of B-747 and AN-124 aircraft is prohibited, except for 89th Airlift Wing aircraft, due to foreign object damage potential. Waiver authority rests with the 316th Operations Group commander. Prior permission is required except for Air Mobility Command, Special Air Mission, Department of Defense courier service, and evacuation missions. All aircraft filing to Andrews must check for ramp freeze information; ramp freezes can close the airfield for up to 30 minutes, and delays are possible.
Restriction: all inbound aircraft must contact Andrews Command Post, 316th Wing Command Post, one hour out with distinguished visitor codes, load message, block time, estimated time of departure, and requirements. Air Mobility Command aircraft operations are restricted during Bird Watch Condition Moderate, when takeoff or landing is permitted only if the departure or arrival route avoids identified bird activity and no local IFR or VFR traffic pattern activity occurs, and during Bird Watch Condition Severe, when takeoff or landing is prohibited without operations group commander approval. Contact base operations for the current bird watch condition.
Restriction: current bird watch condition applies. E-4 aircraft require airfield manager approval to use runway 01R/19L due to a weak feature at the approach end of runway 01R. All taxiways are 75 feet wide except taxiways E1 and E2. Taxiway E between taxiways E1 and E4 is only 50 feet wide. Taxiway E north of E3 is closed to aircraft with a wingspan greater than 165 feet, such as the C-5, B-747, C-17, and KC-10.
Air National Guard: prior permission required for servicing and use of parking ramps. No avgas or reciprocating engine oil available, and maintenance is limited. Contact 201st Operations, located on the west side of Andrews; contact the 113th Wing, DC Air National Guard, located on the east side of Andrews. No transient maintenance available.
Restriction: official business only. Prior permission is required for all aircraft. Distinguished visitor, Special Air Mission, and evacuation flights are exempt from the restriction but still require a prior permission number for tracking and ramp availability. All transient aircraft must obtain this number by email or by phone contact with Airfield Management Operations well in advance of arrival.
Restriction: Airfield Management Operations does not have a COMSEC storage facility. Transient crews should plan to arrive with the appropriate amount of COMSEC material to complete their mission. COMSEC can be stored at the Command Post.
Remarks, restriction: runway 01L/19R length including displaced threshold areas is 10,918 feet by 200 feet. Operational use of the displaced threshold areas for takeoff and landing rollout is specifically authorized for the Presidential Airlift Group, 459th Air Refueling Wing aircraft, 1st Airlift Squadron, and other aircraft approved by the 89th Operations Group commander. The northernmost 400 feet of the overrun displaced threshold areas can accommodate only idle-thrust jet blast. Only the southernmost 600 feet of the runway 19R displaced threshold areas, at the north end of runway 01L/19R, is usable for takeoff, meaning the point where takeoff power can be applied, due to the proximity of a localizer antenna array installed 1,200 feet from the runway 19R landing threshold.
Caution: the effective length of runway 01L/19R between displaced thresholds available for takeoff and landing is 9,318 feet. Do not land prior to the marked displaced threshold; the overrun may be used for landing rollout or emergency stopping. The official TERPS end of runway for obstacle protection is the marked threshold. Do not use the opposite runway end for takeoff computations or takeoff roll. Takeoff use of the displaced threshold on runway 01L/19R is restricted to the Presidential Airlift Group, 459th Air Refueling Wing aircraft, 1st Airlift Squadron aircraft, or with 89th Operations Group commander approval. Operations Group commander approval is required for use of the displaced threshold for takeoff or landing.
Remarks, restriction: runway 01L/19R length of 11,318 feet is for Presidential Airlift Group, 459th Air Refueling Wing aircraft, 1st Airlift Squadron aircraft, and other 89th Operations Group commander approved aircraft operations. Approval for use of the displaced thresholds for takeoff or landings requires 89th Operations Group commander approval.
Restriction: takeoff or landing use of the displaced threshold on runway 01L/19R is restricted to Presidential Airlift Group, 459th Air Refueling Wing aircraft, 1st Airlift Squadron aircraft, or with 89th Operations Group commander approval.
Bearing strength for runway 01L/19R: S85, T220, ST175, SBTT518, TT327, TDT840, DDT800, TRT556.
Runway 19R available takeoff distance, including the hardened overrun, is 10,918 feet by 200 feet.
Bearing strength for runway 01R/19L: S85, T205, ST175, TT380, TDT800, DDT800.
Service and lighting: on runway 01L/19R, the visual glide slope indicator and ILS glidepath are not coincidental. The PAPI on runway 01L/19R is set for height group 4. The PAPI on runway 01R/19L is set for height group 4.
Traffic pattern: because of extremely heavy air traffic to the west, all aircraft in the overhead pattern will enter from the east, regardless of landing runway. Overhead pattern altitude is 2,000 feet, rectangular pattern is 1,500 feet, light aircraft pattern is 1,000 feet, and helicopter pattern is 800 feet.
Miscellaneous: all transient aircraft will hold on taxiway W for a follow-me vehicle prior to entering the parking ramp. The first 4,300 feet and last 325 feet of runway 01R are concrete. Fighter and training aircraft should bring engine covers. Aircraft transferring VIPs to an Air Force helicopter must contact Mussel Operations 15 minutes out if the arrival differs from the schedule.
Caution: visibility beyond three miles is hindered by trees. Wind flow from 200 to 300 degrees is disrupted by a hangar on the southeast side of the airfield.
Restriction: the south end underrun and overrun of runway 01L/19R is unusable due to pavement degradation.
Miscellaneous: runway 01L/19R is grooved.
Runway 01L/19R mandatory runway hold signs at the end intersections of taxiways N, S, and W contain an incorrect legend. Runway 01L/19R and runway 01R/19L hold signs at instrument critical areas on taxiways W, N, S, and E contain an incorrect legend.
One BAK-14 and BAK-12B(B) arresting device, located 1,240 feet along the runway.
BAK-14 and BAK-12B(B) arresting device, located 1,500 feet along the runway.
BAK-14 and BAK-12B(B) arresting device, located 1,537 feet along the runway.
BAK-14 and BAK-12B(B) arresting device, located 2,240 feet along the runway.
Arresting gear service: on runway 01R/19L, the north and south MB60 arresting gear units are unserviceable.
Noise abatement: strict compliance with procedures is required. Contact Airfield Management Operations.
Noise abatement, Navy ramp: turboprop aircraft must taxi at low idle and secure outboard engines prior to ramp entry, except during icing conditions.
Noise abatement: from 0000 to 1100Z, daily, no helicopter overflight or traffic pattern activity is permitted west of runway 01L/19R, over base housing, below 800 feet AGL.
No practice approaches between 0300 and 1100Z; all arriving aircraft should expect a full stop landing. Quiet hours are normally 0300 to 1100Z.
Caution: extremely heavy VFR conflicting traffic in the north and south quadrants. Deer hazard: deer are active on the Andrews airfield; pilots should report any activity to the tower or airfield management. Bird hazard: expect increased bird activity, phase two, from September through October.
Fuel: expect a 30-minute delay. Aircrews of transient aircraft requiring power-on refueling must assist in the refueling. Fuel grade J8.
Navy fuel: J8 available on request, expect a minimum one-hour delay.
Fluids available: hydraulic fluid, de-icing fluid, low-pressure oxygen, high-pressure oxygen, and liquid oxygen.
Transient alert: expect delays at night, on weekends, and on holidays.
Restriction: no general aviation aircraft and no aero club support permitted. No arrival or departure of transient fighter aircraft carrying live forward-firing munitions.
Navy restriction: aircrews destined for the Navy ramp must file "NAVY RAMP" in the remarks section of the flight plan.
Traffic pattern: aircraft requesting a VFR multiple pattern must use the tower VHF frequency.
Customs, agriculture, and immigration navigation: customs available from 1230 to 2130Z, including holidays; on call at all other hours.
Miscellaneous: winds are estimated because the FMQ-13 wind sensors are accurate only to within plus or minus 4 knots. Air traffic control and weather services will not include or relay wind corrections into forecasts or phraseology. Aircrews must therefore incorporate a plus or minus 4 knot accuracy allowance into their decision-making for flight operations.
ILS: the microwave landing system azimuth guidance is unusable clockwise beyond 220 degrees, and inside 2.5 DME clockwise beyond 210 degrees below 2.5 degrees. Disregard the guidance signal found clockwise beyond 230 degrees and counterclockwise beyond 150 degrees. The microwave landing system elevation guidance is unusable clockwise beyond 210 degrees above 12 degrees, and counterclockwise beyond 170 degrees above 12 degrees.
Communications, weather service: continuous weather service is available. An AN/FMQ-19 automated observing system is in use, augmented by human observation when necessary. If the weather flight is unavailable, remote service is available from the 15th Operational Weather Squadron.
Restriction: the compass rose is closed except to towed aircraft. Pad 12 is closed. Taxiway E-4 is limited to C-130 aircraft and C-20, G-V, and smaller aircraft.
Restriction: for remain overnight service, call the 316th Wing Command Post.
Andrews Air Traffic Control Tower provides pre-departure clearances via terminal data link. Aircraft operators or pilots wishing to participate must apply for the service by contacting the Federal Aviation Administration's Aeronautical Data Link Product Lead office in Washington, DC.
Caution: a Flight Restricted Zone and Special Flight Rules Area cover the Washington DC metropolitan area. All non-DoD aircraft must contact the Transportation Security Administration for an SFRA waiver in accordance with ZDC NOTAMs, five to seven days prior to arrival.
Caution: an obstacle has been erected, a crane at 572 feet MSL, west of the airfield at a new BRAC facility.
Remarks, caution: aircraft tails encroach upon the 7:1 transitional surface. On the west side, between parking rows 1 through 12, tail heights may encroach by 16 feet 7 inches. On the east ramp, tail heights may encroach by 51 feet 6 inches.
Restriction: all jet aircraft are advised to taxi south of the taxiway Sierra centerline due to pavement degradation.
Restriction: contact the 89th Operations Support Squadron, Airfield Management Operations, for a waiver.
Service, fuel: available fuel code A++.
Miscellaneous: for flight planning, use the DCA preferred IFR routes located on the FAA's preferred routes database website.
Miscellaneous, Navy: transient service on the east, Navy side, is not available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for distinguished visitor flights. The Navy headquarters building is open from 1230 to 2130Z, Monday through Friday. For after-hours arrivals, contact the Naval Air Facility Washington.
Customs, agriculture, and immigration: Customs and Border Protection requires the following forms for arriving aircraft: CBP Form 7507 General Declaration and CBP Form 6059B Customs Declaration, located on the CBP publications website.
Restriction: Joint Base Andrews (KADW) is restricted to official business only.
Restriction: Airport Surface Detection Equipment is in use. Operate transponders with altitude reporting mode and ADS-B, if equipped, enabled in the controlled movement area.
Communications, portable radio: out of service until further notice.
Communications, Command Post: VHF out of service until further notice.
West ramp rows 2, 3, and 4 are closed when distinguished visitor movement aircraft are present on row 5.
During winter weather events, aircrews may receive airfield status information online after retrieving login information from Airfield Management Operations.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Joint Base Andrews has five airfields within 17 NM. The closest is Ronald Reagan Washington National (KDCA), 8.33 NM west.
Part of the Washington, D.C. area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KADW
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.
$2,400.00 catering order at KADW.
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
What is Joint Base Andrews (KADW) and who can operate there?
Joint Base Andrews, identified as KADW, is a private-use military airfield in Camp Springs, Maryland, restricted to official business only. Access requires prior permission for all aircraft, with distinguished visitor flights, special air mission, and evacuation missions exempt from the restriction itself but still required to obtain a PPR number for tracking and ramp availability. General aviation aircraft and aero club support are not permitted. The field sits under FAA TFMSC tracking, recording 5,336 business aviation operations in 2025. Its longest runway reaches 11,301 feet.
How long are the runways at KADW and are there any usage limits?
Joint Base Andrews has two paved runways: 01L/19R at 11,301 feet by 200 feet, and 01R/19L at 9,756 feet by 150 feet. The displaced threshold takeoff and landing use on 01L/19R is restricted to the Presidential Airlift Group, 459th Air Refueling Wing aircraft, 1st Airlift Squadron aircraft, and other operations approved by the 89th Operations Group commander. The effective runway available for takeoff and landing between displaced thresholds on 01L/19R is 9,318 feet. The southernmost 600 feet of the 19R displaced threshold area is the only portion usable for applying takeoff power, due to the proximity of a localizer antenna array.
Is fuel available for transient aircraft at Joint Base Andrews?
Fuel service at Joint Base Andrews is coded A++, indicating fuel is available, though this designation is derived from traffic and service coding rather than a standalone confirmation of grade or quantity. Transient aircraft aircrews requiring power-on refueling must assist in the refueling process. A delay of approximately 30 minutes should be expected for standard fuel service, and Navy-side fuel carries an expected minimum delay of one hour with prior request. Aircrews should plan fuel logistics accordingly given these documented delays.
What customs procedures apply to arrivals at KADW?
Joint Base Andrews does not have customs onsite; the nearest customs airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National, located roughly 8.33 nautical miles away. Arriving aircraft requiring customs, agriculture, or immigration processing at Andrews are supported through CBP availability from 1230 to 2130Z, including holidays, with on-call service available at all other hours. Required paperwork includes CBP Form 7507 general declaration and CBP Form 6059B customs declaration. Because Andrews sits inside the Washington DC Flight Restricted Zone and Special Flight Rules Area, non-DoD aircraft must also contact the Transportation Security Administration for a waiver in accordance with ZDC NOTAMs.
What wildlife and airspace hazards should pilots expect at Joint Base Andrews?
Joint Base Andrews reports heavy deer activity on the airfield, with pilots asked to report sightings to the tower or airfield management. Bird activity is expected to increase during a documented phase from September through October, and operations under moderate or severe bird watch conditions carry specific restrictions on takeoff, landing, and local traffic pattern activity. Very heavy VFR traffic conflicts occur in the north and south quadrants around the field. Aircrews should also account for wind sensor accuracy limited to within plus or minus 4 knots, since air traffic control will not relay wind corrections into forecasts or phraseology at KADW.