Alpine Airstrip (PALP), Alaska
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Alpine Airstrip (PALP) is a private, unattended gravel strip serving the Alpine oil field area near Nuiqsut, Alaska. It sits well north of the nearest customs facility and handles a modest volume of business aviation traffic each year.
Runways
Alpine Airstrip has one unpaved runway, 04/22, 5,005 ft long and 100 ft wide, with a gravel surface.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Alpine Airstrip does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Fairbanks International (PAFA), 339 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Alpine Airstrip recorded 257 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in September. Business aviation traffic at PALP peaks from May through September, with September recording the highest monthly count of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 45 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Alpine Airstrip averages 31.0 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 56.0°F, and January the coldest, at -9.9°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Alpine Airstrip has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and other notes.
A 40 by 80 foot runup pad is located 153 feet from the threshold at both ends. Runway operations require prior permission; the runway is also used as the ACES road, and personnel or equipment may be present on the runway.
Prior permission is required at least 24 hours before landing.
ODALS lighting is activated for runways 04 and 22; MIRL is available for runway 04/22, both via CTAF. PAPI is available for runways 04 and 22 by request.
The airport is unattended. Field status, condition, and ground operations are not monitored.
Use the AQT ASOS for local weather information.
This is a cold temperature airport. Altitude correction is required at or below -33°C.
All arriving aircraft must report 10 miles out on final via CTAF.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Alpine Airstrip has two airfields within 28 NM. The closest is Nuiqsut (PAQT), 8.17 NM south.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at PALP
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 PALP.
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
Is PALP staffed or can pilots expect airport services on arrival?
Alpine Airstrip (PALP) is unattended, meaning no on-site personnel manage field status, condition reports, or ground operations. Pilots operate on a self-serve basis and must obtain prior permission before landing, coordinating any ground needs independently.
What runway does Alpine Airstrip have and what are its dimensions?
PALP has a single gravel runway, 04/22, measuring 5,005 feet long and 100 feet wide. The runway also functions as the ACES road, so pilots should expect possible vehicle or equipment presence on the surface during operations.
How cold does it get at PALP and does that affect flight operations?
Alpine Airstrip is designated a cold temperature airport, requiring altitude correction procedures at or below -33°C. Average maximum temperatures fall below freezing from October through April, with January and December averaging near -9°F and -3°F respectively.