Merle K (mudhole) Smith Airport (PACV), Alaska
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport (PACV), serving Cordova, Alaska, is a public-use, non-towered field with a single paved runway measuring 7,500 feet alongside a shorter gravel crosswind strip. The airport sits at 53 feet elevation and operates under an attendance schedule of 0600-1630 daily. Business aviation activity is modest, reflecting the airport's tier-2 traffic profile, with 234 business aviation operations recorded in 2025 against 2,629 total annual operations according to FAA TFMSC data. Cordova lies roughly 136 nautical miles from the nearest metro area, and the closest customs point of entry is at PAVD, about 44.64 nautical miles away.
Runways
Merle K (mudhole) Smith Airport has two paved and unpaved runways. The longest, 09/27, is 7,500 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
Fueling is available from 6am to 4:30pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Merle K (mudhole) Smith Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Valdez Pioneer Field (PAVD), 45 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Merle K (mudhole) Smith Airport recorded 234 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in March. Business aviation traffic at PACV is concentrated in spring, peaking sharply in March, while winter months see comparatively fewer operations.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month March, 41 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Merle K (mudhole) Smith Airport averages 25.2 freeze days in March. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 61.9°F, and January the coldest, at 33.7°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Merle K (mudhole) Smith Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: runway notes, emergency arresting systems, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
MALSR lighting is activated for runway 27, ODALS for runway 09, VASI for both runway 09 and runway 27, and HIRL for runway 09/27, all controlled via CTAF.
Runway 16/34 is not available for Part 121/380 scheduled and non-scheduled operations carrying passengers with more than 30 seats.
The VASI on runway 09 is unusable beyond 4 nautical miles due to obstructions.
Airport services and condition reporting are available only during maintenance duty hours; after hours, contact the airport manager. Snow removal and deicing are not available between 1600 and 0700. Runway condition reports reflect day operations only.
An Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) measuring 250 feet in length by 170 feet in width is located at the departure end of runway 27.
Moose and birds are present in the vicinity of the airport and its runways.
PCR VALUE: 977/F/A/X/T
Winds at the airport are erratic.
36-inch orange cones are in place from May 1 through October 25.
ARFF equipment is available during air carrier activity only.
The airport's sand has a larger gradation than the FAA recommends; see AC150/5200-30.
A weather camera is available online at https://weathercams.faa.gov.
This is a TSA-regulated airport; see 49 CFR 1542. Gates and doors must be secured at all times; contact the airport manager for information.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Alternates
Merle K (mudhole) Smith Airport has two alternates within 45 NM. The nearest alternate is Tatitlek (PAKA), 42.37 NM northwest.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at PACV
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 PACV.
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 runways are available at PACV, Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport?
Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport (PACV) has two runways. Runway 09/27 is paved asphalt, 7,500 feet long and 150 feet wide, the primary surface for larger traffic. Runway 16/34 is a shorter gravel strip at 1,934 feet by 30 feet, and it is not available for Part 121/380 scheduled or non-scheduled passenger operations carrying more than 30 seats.
Is there an arresting system on the runway at PACV?
Yes, PACV has an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) installed at the departure end of runway 27. The system measures 250 feet in length by 170 feet in width. This safety feature is located specifically at DER 27, and no similar system is noted for the opposite end of the runway.
How does business aviation traffic vary by month at Cordova Airport?
Business aviation traffic at Cordova Airport (PACV) is concentrated in spring, with March recording the highest monthly count at 41 operations. Winter months show comparatively low activity, with January at 8 operations and April dropping to 12. Annual business aviation operations totaled 234 in 2025, out of 2,629 total annual operations according to FAA TFMSC data.
Is customs available on site at PACV?
No, Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport (PACV) does not have customs clearance on site. The nearest customs facility is at PAVD, located approximately 44.64 nautical miles away. Dispatchers planning international arrivals should coordinate clearance through that facility in advance rather than expecting service at Cordova.