Minden-Tahoe Airport (KMEV), Nevada
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Minden-Tahoe Airport (KMEV) sits at 4,724 feet elevation in Minden, Nevada, roughly 85 nautical miles from the nearest metro area. The field is uncontrolled and operates on a Monday-through-Friday attendance schedule from 0730 to 1600 local time. Fuel options include 100LL and Jet A. With two paved runways and a dirt glider strip, KMEV supports a mix of business aviation and active glider, sailplane, and skydiving operations in a mountain-adjacent setting near Lake Tahoe.
Runways
Minden-Tahoe Airport has three paved and unpaved runways. The longest, 16/34, is 7,399 ft long and 100 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Minden-Tahoe Airport has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 7:30am to 4pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Minden-Tahoe Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Reno / Tahoe International (KRNO), 30 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Minden-Tahoe Airport recorded 2,366 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July and August. Business aviation traffic at KMEV concentrates in the summer months, peaking in August according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 290 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is 2.7 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Minden-Tahoe Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, noise procedures, pavement strength and other notes.
Glider, ultralight, skydiving, sailplane, and balloon activity occurs on and in the vicinity of the airport.
Trees are located 1,440 feet from the approach end of runway 12. A ditch is present in the obstacle free zone adjacent to the southwest end of taxiway C. Men and equipment are occasionally present on the runways and taxiways.
For clearance delivery, contact NorCal Approach.
Pilot-activated REIL on runways 16 and 34, VASI on runways 16 and 34, and HIRL on runway 16/34, activated via CTAF.
Runway 30G is landing only. Runway 12G is not available for takeoff or landing.
The threshold is marked with orange and white panels.
Mowers operate in the vicinity of the airport and runways.
Noise abatement procedures are in effect.
PCR VALUE: 10/F/C/X/T
PCR VALUE: 40/F/C/X/T
Sailplane pattern traffic uses right-hand circuits.
Snow removal is performed during daylight hours only.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Minden-Tahoe Airport has five airfields within 22 NM. The closest is Carson City (KCXP), 11.55 NM north.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KMEV
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 KMEV.
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 KMEV?
Minden-Tahoe Airport's primary runway is 16/34, a paved asphalt surface measuring 7,399 feet long and 100 feet wide. This is the longest runway at the field and the one referenced for the airport's max paved length. A secondary paved runway, 12/30, spans 5,299 feet by 75 feet. KMEV also has an unpaved dirt runway, 12G/30G, at 2,050 feet by 60 feet, used for glider operations. Dispatchers planning larger business aircraft should default to runway 16/34.
Are there restrictions on the glider runway at Minden-Tahoe?
Yes, runway 12G/30G at Minden-Tahoe Airport carries specific directional limits. Runway 30G is landing only, while runway 12G is not available for takeoff or landing. This dirt strip measures 2,050 feet by 60 feet and supports the airport's active glider and sailplane traffic. Sailplane pattern traffic flies right-hand circuits at KMEV. Pilots unfamiliar with these local procedures should review them before operating in the area.
Does KMEV have on-site customs clearance?
Minden-Tahoe Airport does not have on-site customs clearance. The nearest customs facility is at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (KRNO), approximately 30 nautical miles away. Flights requiring customs processing should plan to route through KRNO before or after operations at KMEV. There is no indication in the airport's data of any CANPASS or restricted customs arrangement at the field itself. Operators should coordinate customs clearance separately from their KMEV arrival planning.
What kind of non-standard traffic should pilots expect at Minden-Tahoe Airport?
Minden-Tahoe Airport hosts a mix of glider, ultralight, skydiving, sailplane, and balloon activity both on the airport and in the vicinity. This traffic operates alongside standard fixed-wing business aviation movements at KMEV. Sailplane pattern traffic follows a right-hand circuit. Pilots should also expect mowers in the vicinity of the airport and runways, and occasional personnel and equipment on the runways and taxiways. Noise abatement procedures are also in effect at the field.
What is the seasonal traffic pattern at KMEV?
Business aviation traffic at Minden-Tahoe Airport concentrates in the summer months, according to FAA TFMSC data for 2025. August recorded the highest monthly total at 290 operations, followed closely by July at 277. Traffic tapers substantially in the winter, with February showing the lowest count at 110 operations. Total annual business aviation operations at KMEV reached 2,366 out of 2,634 overall operations for the year. Dispatchers should anticipate busier ramp conditions at KMEV during the July-August peak.