Lovell Field (KCHA), Tennessee
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Lovell Field (KCHA / CHA) serves Chattanooga, Tennessee as a towered, public-use airport with two paved runways and onsite customs processing for international arrivals. The field supports a substantial business aviation population, with FAA TFMSC data recording 20,061 business aviation operations against 46,377 total operations in 2025, placing it among Skystar's top-tier documented terrains. Its longer runway extends 7,400 feet, giving it capacity for a wide range of business jet types operating in and out of the region.
Runways
Lovell Field has two paved runways. The longest, 02/20, is 7,400 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Lovell Field has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Lovell Field has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Lovell Field recorded 20,061 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October. Business aviation traffic at KCHA is concentrated in the fall, with October and November posting the year's highest monthly operation counts.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 2,008 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Lovell Field averages 18.6 days above 90°F in July, 17.0 freeze days in January and 0.4 snow days in February. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 90.5°F, and January the coldest, at 51.0°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Lovell Field has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Chattanooga Approach; when approach is closed, contact Atlanta ARTCC.
MALSR is activated on runway 02, TDZL on runway 20, and centerline lighting and HIRL on runway 02/20 are operated on CTAF. MIRL on runway 15/33 is unavailable when the ATCT is closed.
The approach slope is 25:1 to the displaced threshold.
Birds are present in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 600/F/C/W/T
PCR VALUE: 740/F/C/X/T
Transient aircraft should avoid the security zone within 300 feet of the terminal building.
Hold short instruction readback is required.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Lovell Field has five airfields within 25 NM. The closest is Collegedale Municipal (KFGU), 9.04 NM east.
Part of the Chattanooga area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KCHA
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 KCHA.
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 customs clearance available at KCHA?
Yes, Lovell Field provides onsite CBP inspection services for arriving international flights. The airport also operates under a USDA compliance agreement, which covers agricultural inspection requirements alongside standard customs processing. This combination lets crews handle both customs and agricultural clearance without diverting to another facility. Dispatchers should still confirm current CBP staffing and any advance notice requirements directly with the office before scheduling an international arrival at KCHA.
What runway lengths are available at Chattanooga Lovell Field?
KCHA offers two paved asphalt runways for operational planning. Runway 02/20 is the longer of the two at 7,400 feet, with a width of 150 feet, and serves as the primary runway for larger business aircraft. Runway 15/33 provides a secondary option at 5,575 feet, also 150 feet wide. Both runways are paved and suitable for a wide range of turbine and piston aircraft operating into Lovell Field.
Are there lighting limitations to plan around at KCHA?
Yes, one system at Lovell Field depends on the control tower being open. The MIRL lighting on runway 15/33 is unavailable whenever the ATCT is closed, which matters for operators planning arrivals or departures outside tower hours. Runway 02/20, by contrast, has MALSR on runway 02, TDZL on runway 20, centerline lighting, and HIRL, all operated on CTAF. Crews using runway 15/33 during non-towered hours should plan for reduced runway lighting at KCHA.
How does business aviation traffic vary by month at Lovell Field?
Business aviation traffic at KCHA shows a clear seasonal pattern across 2025 FAA TFMSC data. Volume is lowest in the January to March period, running between roughly 1,400 and 1,550 operations per month, and climbs through the year to a peak of 2,008 operations in October. November also runs high at 1,861 operations before tapering into December. Dispatchers scheduling flights into Lovell Field during the fall should anticipate the year's busiest traffic period.
What obstacle or approach considerations apply at KCHA?
Lovell Field publishes an approach slope of 25:1 to a displaced threshold, which crews should factor into approach planning at KCHA. The airport also notes bird activity in the vicinity of the airport, relevant for both approach and departure phases. Transient aircraft are additionally instructed to avoid the security zone within 300 feet of the terminal building. These combined notes point to an operating environment where taxi and approach planning benefit from advance briefing.