Hartford-Brainard Airport (KHFD), Connecticut
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Hartford-Brainard Airport (KHFD) is a towered public-use field in Hartford, Connecticut, situated on the west side of the Connecticut River about 6.80 nautical miles from the metro area. The airport handled 3,304 total annual operations in 2025, with 1,210 of those attributed to business aviation according to FAA TFMSC data. KHFD offers both 100LL and Jet A fuel and maintains a seasonal attendance schedule that shortens during the winter months. The field lies close to Bradley International Airport, the nearest source of customs clearance, and operates near other regional airports including Robertson Field and Meriden Markham Municipal.
Runways
Hartford-Brainard Airport has three paved and unpaved runways. The longest, 02/20, is 4,417 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first. Helipads and surfaces under 500 ft are excluded.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Hartford-Brainard Airport has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. The airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Hartford-Brainard Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Bradley International (KBDL), 12 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Hartford-Brainard Airport recorded 1,210 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in June. Business aviation traffic at Hartford-Brainard Airport concentrates in the late spring and summer months, peaking in June at 175 operations compared to a low of 38 in February.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month June, 175 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Hartford-Brainard Airport averages 6.9 days above 90°F in July and 27.0 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84.6°F, and January the coldest, at 36.8°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Hartford-Brainard Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental and other notes.
When the airport traffic control tower is closed, activate the runway end identifier lights for runways 02 and 20, and the high-intensity runway lights for runway 02/20, via the common traffic advisory frequency. The precision approach path indicators for runways 02 and 20 operate continuously.
The precision approach path indicator for runway 20 is unusable beyond 7 degrees left of the runway centerline.
Voluntary compliance is requested to avoid touch-and-go operations and practice instrument approaches Monday through Saturday from 2200 to 0600, and Sunday from 2200 to 0900.
When the airport traffic control tower is closed, contact Bradley Approach for clearance delivery.
An obstruction of 3 feet above ground sits at 0 feet from the runway, 150 feet to the right.
A 27-foot berm sits between 0 and 199 feet from the runway, 171 to 57 feet to the left.
The approach obstruction clearance ratio is 20:1 to the displaced threshold.
The approach obstruction clearance ratio is 16:1 to the displaced threshold.
The approach obstruction clearance ratio is 11:1 to the displaced threshold.
The turf NE/SW runway is closed during winter months from November 2 to April 30, except for ski-equipped aircraft and helicopter training.
The airport is located in a noise-sensitive area. Populated areas to the south and west should be avoided. Approaches and departures over the river are requested when possible. See Brainard Tower letters to airmen for further detail.
Birds and deer are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
A hangar, 26 feet high, is located at 290 degrees west, 234 feet from the helipad.
Caution: Hartford-Brainard Airport is located on the west side of the river. A closed airport lies one mile east-northeast of it, on the east side of the river.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Hartford-Brainard Airport has five airfields within 23 NM. The closest is Robertson Field, 10.06 NM west.
Part of the Hartford and Springfield area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KHFD
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 KHFD.
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 the primary runway at KHFD?
Hartford-Brainard Airport's primary runway is 02/20, a paved asphalt surface measuring 4,417 feet long and 150 feet wide. A secondary paved runway, 11/29, spans 2,314 feet by 71 feet. A turf runway on the NE / SW alignment also serves the field but closes during winter months, reopening in spring.
Is there customs clearance available at Hartford-Brainard Airport?
Hartford-Brainard Airport (KHFD) does not have customs service onsite. The nearest customs facility is at Bradley International Airport (KBDL), located approximately 12.25 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs clearance should plan to route through KBDL rather than expecting service directly at KHFD.
What are the airport attendance hours at KHFD?
Hartford-Brainard Airport operates on a seasonal attendance schedule. From April through November, the field is attended daily from 0700 to 2100 local time. From December through March, hours shorten to 0700-1900 daily. KHFD is a towered airport, so pilots should also account for ATCT hours separately from these attendance windows.
Does Hartford-Brainard Airport have any noise-related operating restrictions?
Yes, Hartford-Brainard Airport (KHFD) sits in a noise-sensitive area, and populated areas to the south and west should be avoided during approach and departure. Pilots are asked to route over the river when possible. Voluntary compliance is also requested to avoid touch-and-go operations and practice instrument approaches during specified overnight hours, per the airport's published remarks.