Desert Rock Airport (KDRA), Nevada
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Desert Rock (KDRA) is a private-use airport near Mercury, Nevada, with a single paved runway. It sees regular use by federal government and military helicopter and fixed-wing traffic rather than general civil aviation.
Runways
Desert Rock Airport has one paved runway, 02/20, 7,515 ft long and 100 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Desert Rock Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Harry Reid International (KLAS), 53 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Climate
Desert Rock Airport averages 30.1 days above 90°F in July, 16.4 freeze days in December and 0.1 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 100.7°F, and December the coldest, at 55.0°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Desert Rock Airport has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and other notes.
Caution: terrain rises through the approach zone for runway 20, with a 2.4 degree runway upslope. Runway 20 approach is clear from the displaced threshold except for 60 feet of rising terrain to the end of the displaced area.
Runway 20 approach is clear from the displaced threshold except for 60 feet of ascending terrain to the end of the displaced area, with a 2.4 degree runway slope.
For clearance delivery, contact Nellis Approach.
Medium intensity runway lighting for runway 02/20 is out of service until further notice.
A 3-foot bush is located 50 feet out from the right edge of the runway.
Terrain rises out from the threshold.
The VASI for runway 02/20 is out of service until further notice.
Used regularly by the Department of Energy, and by Department of Defense and Department of Energy helicopters.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Desert Rock Airport has five airfields within 48 NM. The closest is Creech AFB (KINS), 17.23 NM east.
Part of the Las Vegas area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KDRA
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.
$600.00 catering order at KDRA.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
The $75 minimum applies below $862.50.
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 runway does KDRA offer?
Desert Rock (KDRA) has one paved runway, 02/20, measuring 7,515 feet by 100 feet with a concrete surface. It is the airport's only runway, and the field has no reported customs or fuel services onsite.
Is there a control tower at Desert Rock Airport?
Desert Rock (KDRA) is a non-towered, unattended airport. Pilots needing clearance delivery are directed to contact Nellis Approach rather than a local tower or ground frequency.
Who uses Desert Rock Airport?
Desert Rock (KDRA) is used regularly by the Department of Energy, along with Department of Defense and Department of Energy helicopters. It is a private-use field near Mercury, Nevada, and does not support general public aviation traffic.