Defuniak Springs Airport (54J), Florida
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
DeFuniak Springs Airport, local identifier 54J, is a public-use general aviation field in the Florida Panhandle serving DeFuniak Springs with a single paved runway and one unpaved crosswind strip. The field is unattended outside published hours and carries no operating control tower, with pilots coordinating over CTAF. Business aviation activity places it in Skystar's tier 2 category, and fuel is available through a self-service credit card system rather than staffed attendance around the clock.
Runways
Defuniak Springs Airport has two paved and unpaved runways. The longest, 09/27, is 4,146 ft long and 60 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Defuniak Springs Airport has Jet A+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 9am to 4pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Defuniak Springs Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Pensacola International (KPNS), 56 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Defuniak Springs Airport recorded 306 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August and October. Business aviation traffic at 54J is concentrated in the fall and late-summer months, with October, August, and June recording the highest monthly operations counts.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 39 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Defuniak Springs Airport averages 23.8 days above 90°F in July and 10.1 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 92.3°F, and January the coldest, at 62.3°F.
Weather station is 3.1 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Defuniak Springs Airport has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and other notes.
An unlighted fence and road, 160 feet south of centerline, penetrate the approach surface.
PAPI is available for runways 9 and 27, and MIRL lighting for runway 09/27 is activated via CTAF.
A 6-foot-tall fence is located 200 feet before the runway threshold, 160 feet right of centerline.
A 15-foot-tall public road is located 200 feet before the runway threshold, 185 feet right of centerline.
The runway 27 approach slope is 24:1 to the displaced threshold.
Trees obstruct the line of sight between runway 09 and 36, and between runway 27 and 36. Runway 09 and 27 line of sight is also obstructed due to the upslope of runway 09.
The runway safety area is located east of runway 18/36.
Fuel is available 24 hours a day through a credit card self-service system.
White PVC pipe markers are placed every 200 feet.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Defuniak Springs Airport has five airfields within 26 NM. The closest is Bob Sikes (KCEW), 19.22 NM west.
Part of the Panama City and Destin area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at 54J
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 54J.
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 54J?
DeFuniak Springs Airport (54J) has two runways. Runway 09/27 is paved asphalt, 4,146 feet long and 60 feet wide, and serves as the primary landing surface. Runway 18/36 is a 2,700-foot dirt strip, also 60 feet wide, offering a secondary unpaved option for suitable aircraft.
Is fuel available at DeFuniak Springs Airport?
DeFuniak Springs Airport (54J) offers both 100LL and A+ fuel types, including Jet A. Fuel is available on a 24-hour basis through a credit card self-service system, meaning aircraft can refuel outside the airport's staffed attendance hours. Staffed attendance runs Monday through Friday, 0900 to 1600 local.
Are there any obstructions near the runway approaches at KDEFUNIAK... at 54J?
Yes, DeFuniak Springs Airport (54J) has several documented approach obstructions. A 6-foot fence sits 200 feet before the runway threshold and 160 feet right of centerline, and an unlighted fence and road 160 feet south of centerline penetrate the approach surface. A 15-foot public road also lies 200 feet before the threshold, 185 feet right of centerline, and the runway 27 approach slope is 24:1 to the displaced threshold.
Where is the nearest customs facility to 54J?
DeFuniak Springs Airport (54J) does not have onsite customs processing. The nearest customs facility is at KPNS, located approximately 55.57 nautical miles away. Pilots requiring customs clearance near DeFuniak Springs should plan their arrival through that airport instead.