Imperial County Airport (KIPL), California
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Imperial County Airport (KIPL) is a non-towered public-use field in Imperial, California, sitting at an elevation of -54 feet and handling a mix of general and business aviation traffic. The airport reported 6,020 total annual operations for the 2025 traffic year, with business aviation accounting for 4,372 of that total according to FAA TFMSC data. Two paved asphalt runways serve the field, and both 100LL and Jet A fuel are available during the posted attendance schedule. The airport lies close to NAF El Centro, and pilots operating in the surrounding airspace need to account for military jet traffic transiting the area.
Runways
Imperial County Airport has two paved runways. The longest, 14/32, is 5,308 ft long and 100 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
Imperial County Airport has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 7am to 4:30pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Imperial County Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Calexico International (KCXL), 10 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Imperial County Airport recorded 4,372 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in March, April and December. Business aviation traffic at KIPL is concentrated toward the end of the year, peaking in December, while activity is lowest in September.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month December, 398 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Imperial County Airport averages 31.0 days above 90°F in July and 1.8 freeze days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 107.8°F, and December the coldest, at 68.7°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Imperial County Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, noise procedures, pavement strength and other notes.
Prior permission is required for non-scheduled air carrier ARFF service; contact the airport operator.
For clearance delivery, contact Yuma Center Radar Approach Control.
Medium intensity runway lighting for runways 08/26 and 14/32 can be pilot-activated via CTAF.
Runway 08/26 is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations with scheduled passenger-carrying operations of more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations of more than 30 passenger seats.
In VFR conditions, avoid NAF El Centro traffic. Aircraft departing KIPL Runway 26 should make an immediate right turn and remain below 1,000 feet. Contact NAF Tower on 119.1 for advisories.
A radio antenna extending 70 feet above ground level is located on the control tower at midfield Runway 14/32, 500 feet west of the runway centerline.
Taxiway C3 is closed between Runway 14/32 and Taxiway C5.
A noise-sensitive area lies on the northeast edge of the airport, including schools and residential areas. When conditions permit, helicopter arrivals should be to Runway 32 with touchdown at midfield, between Taxiways A4 and A3. Helicopter departures should be from Runway 14 at midfield. When conditions require a Runway 32 departure, maintain runway centerline for 1.5 nautical miles before initiating a turn. For helicopter training patterns and autorotations, use Runway 08/26, with a maximum of three circuits. Between sunset and sunrise, avoid continuous pattern circuits.
PCR VALUE: 177/F/D/W/T
PCR VALUE: 183/F/D/W/T
Frequent high-speed military jet traffic transits the Imperial County traffic area westbound, descending VFR toward NAF El Centro. Avoid 2,500 to 3,500 feet MSL near Imperial County. Contact NAF Tower on 119.1 for Navy traffic advisories.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Imperial County Airport has five airfields within 46 NM. The closest is El Centro Naf (vraciu Fld) (KNJK), 4.55 NM west.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KIPL
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 KIPL.
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 KIPL?
Imperial County Airport operates two paved asphalt runways. Runway 14/32 is the longer of the two at 5,308 feet by 100 feet wide. Runway 08/26 measures 4,501 feet by 75 feet wide. KIPL is non-towered, so pilots coordinate on CTAF for both runways, and medium intensity runway lighting on both can be pilot-activated via CTAF.
Are there restrictions on using Runway 08/26 at KIPL?
Yes, Runway 08/26 at Imperial County Airport carries a specific traffic restriction. It is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 scheduled passenger operations carrying more than 9 passenger seats, nor for non-scheduled passenger operations carrying more than 30 passenger seats. Runway 14/32, at 5,308 feet, remains the primary runway for larger passenger operations. Dispatchers planning larger aircraft movements should route those operations to 14/32 instead.
What should pilots know about military traffic near KIPL?
Imperial County Airport sits close to NAF El Centro, and the shared airspace sees frequent high-speed military jet traffic. Aircraft transiting the area westbound descending VFR toward NAF El Centro are common, and pilots are advised to avoid the 2,500 to 3,500 foot MSL band near the airport. Aircraft departing KIPL Runway 26 in VFR conditions should make an immediate right turn and remain below 1,000 feet. Contact with NAF Tower on frequency 119.1 is recommended for advisories on Navy traffic.
What is the seasonal traffic pattern at KIPL?
Business aviation traffic at Imperial County Airport, tracked by the FAA TFMSC, is concentrated in certain months of the year. December shows the highest monthly count at 398 operations, while September is the lowest at 317. The variation across the year is moderate rather than extreme, with most months falling in a fairly narrow band between roughly 320 and 400 operations. This pattern reflects the distribution of business aviation activity reported for the 2025 traffic year.
How hot does it get at Imperial County Airport, and does that affect operations?
Imperial County Airport sits in a desert climate with substantial summer heat. July averages a maximum temperature of 107.8 degrees Fahrenheit with roughly 31 days above 90 degrees, and August is similar at 107.7 degrees with about 30.9 such days. June also sees heavy heat, averaging 103.5 degrees with nearly 30 days above 90. Winter months are far milder, with January and December averaging around 70 degrees and only about one to two days below freezing.