Miramar McAs (joe Foss Fld) Airport (KNKX), California
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
MCAS Miramar, also known as Joe Foss Field (KNKX), is a towered military airfield in San Diego, California, operating under private use status with a long concrete runway capable of handling large fixed-wing traffic. FAA TFMSC data recorded 793 business aviation crossings in 2025 among 11,577 total annual operations at the field, which sits roughly 22 nautical miles from the San Diego metro area and shares regional airspace with San Diego International, Montgomery-Gibbs Executive, and Gillespie Field. Access for transient and business aviation aircraft is governed by prior-permission and noise abatement procedures rather than open civilian use.
Runways
Miramar McAs (joe Foss Fld) Airport has two paved runways. The longest, 06L/24R, is 12,000 ft long and 200 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Miramar McAs (joe Foss Fld) Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is San Diego International (KSAN), 8 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Miramar McAs (joe Foss Fld) Airport recorded 793 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in April. Business aviation crossings at KNKX peak in the spring months, particularly March and April, and drop to their lowest point in August, according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month April, 111 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Miramar McAs (joe Foss Fld) Airport averages 5.0 days above 90°F in September and 0.2 freeze days in January. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 82.4°F, and December the coldest, at 66.6°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Miramar McAs (joe Foss Fld) Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, noise procedures and other notes.
Caution: all aircraft arriving or departing VFR via corridor rules to or from the coastline are advised to exercise extreme caution to avoid hang glider activity near Torrey Pines Golf Course, referenced to the NKX R-283 radial at 5 DME.
Restriction (1 of 3): Prior permission is required for all transient aircraft, and TRANSCOM/JOSAC/NALO flights are required to contact the visiting aircraft line. PPR is restricted to 30 minutes before or after the approved time, and it is not valid outside that window and must be re-coordinated if the arrival time changes.
Traffic pattern note: reduced runway separation standards are in effect for Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, which operate on parallel runways 700 feet apart. Multiple practice approaches to Runway 06L/R are not authorized, and radar vectors to final approach should expect a steep descent.
Closed field operations are restricted and require prior permission.
For clearance delivery when the control tower is closed, contact SOCAL Approach.
Traffic pattern note: general aviation aircraft are authorized to conduct PAR approaches on Sunday. The approach must be conducted in VFR conditions to a low approach only, and aircraft are not authorized to land for a stop-and-go except in case of emergency.
ALSF-1 is activated on Runway 24R; PAPI is installed on Runways 6L, 24R, and 24L; HIRL and centerline lighting for Runway 06L/24R are controlled on 298.925 or 135.2.
Caution: water on the rubber build-up areas of the runway may produce poor traction or braking action, and standing water on the runway may produce hydroplaning conditions.
Lighting service note: the PAPI reference reference point is not coincidental with PAR for Runway 24L and Runway 24R. The PAPI units for Runway 06R/L are optimized for Height Group 2 type aircraft.
Arresting gear: the short-field arresting gear on Runway 24R is normally de-rigged.
Noise abatement procedures are strictly enforced, with mandatory procedure and course rules. All transient aircraft must review and sign a noise abatement form with flight planning.
Caution: high mid-air collision potential exists; exercise extreme vigilance.
Caution: extensive general aviation traffic occurs at all altitudes and in all directions near the airfield, with a high volume of civilian VFR traffic along the coast west of the airfield.
Miscellaneous: ordnance, whether live or inert, is not permitted to remain on transient aircraft overnight.
Fluid: LOX is available by special request only.
Transient alert: no AMC fleet service is available. An ALCE team is required for all AMC flights. Transient service is limited, with no tie-down, oil or laboratory analysis, or transient maintenance service available.
Transient alert: no shuttle service is available. All VIP aircraft should contact Airfield Operations on the published frequency 15 minutes prior to arrival.
Restriction (2 of 3): Staging for local training flights or high-visibility events, including VIP arrivals at the M7 level and above, medevac flights with battle patients, OIF/OEF homecomings, and honor or angel flights, require notifying Airfield Operations one hour prior to arrival due to coordination requirements with the 3rd MAW Commanding General and the Station Commanding Officer.
Restriction (3 of 3): Contact the Operations Duty Officer for coordination.
Airfield operating hours are subject to change; check NOTAMs or contact Airfield Operations to verify hours. Pilots filing MCAS Miramar as an alternate or emergency divert are advised to call Airfield Operations to verify operating hours.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Miramar McAs (joe Foss Fld) Airport has five airfields within 16 NM. The closest is Montgomery-Gibbs Executive (KMYF), 3.18 NM south.
Part of the Orange County and San Diego area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KNKX
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 KNKX.
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
Is KNKX open to civilian business aviation traffic?
KNKX, MCAS Miramar (Joe Foss Field), is a private-use military airfield in San Diego, CA, and it is not a public general aviation destination. Transient aircraft require prior permission, coordinated through the visiting aircraft line, and the field is subject to strict noise abatement rules requiring all transient crews to review and sign a noise abatement form with flight planning. There is no AMC fleet service, no shuttle service, and no tie-down, oil analysis, or transient maintenance support available on the field. Operators planning to use KNKX as an alternate or emergency divert are advised to contact Airfield Operations to verify current operating hours before filing.
What are the published attendance hours at Miramar MCAS?
Miramar MCAS (KNKX) operates Monday through Thursday from 1530 to 0800Z and Friday from 1630 to 0200Z, with Saturday closed. Sunday hours run 2200 to 0200Z, and the field is closed on holidays. These hours are subject to change, so pilots should verify current status through NOTAMs or by contacting Airfield Operations directly, particularly if KNKX is filed as an alternate or emergency divert. When the tower is closed, clearance delivery is handled through SOCAL Approach rather than the local tower frequency.
What runway configuration does KNKX offer?
KNKX, Miramar MCAS (Joe Foss Field), has two paved parallel runways. Runway 06L/24R is a 12,000-foot concrete surface at 200 feet wide, and Runway 06R/24L is 8,001 feet of PEM surface, also 200 feet wide. Reduced runway separation standards apply for USN / USMC aircraft, with parallel operations conducted 700 feet apart. Multiple practice approaches to Runway 06L / R are not authorized, and radar vectors to final approach should expect a steep descent.
How far is customs clearance from KNKX?
MCAS Miramar (KNKX) does not have onsite customs processing. The nearest customs facility is at San Diego International Airport (KSAN), located approximately 8.44 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs clearance in connection with international arrivals should plan routing through KSAN or coordinate with the appropriate customs authority in advance, since KNKX itself offers no customs service for transient aircraft.
What VFR and traffic hazards are noted near MCAS Miramar?
MCAS Miramar (KNKX) sits in an area of extensive general aviation traffic at all altitudes and directions near the field, with a high volume of civilian VFR traffic tracking along the coast west of the airfield. This creates elevated mid-air collision potential, and crews are advised to exercise extreme vigilance. Aircraft arriving or departing VFR via corridor rules to or from the coastline should also watch for hang glider activity near Torrey Pines Golf Course, referenced to the NKX R-283 radial at 5 DME. Standing water on the runway rubber build-up areas can additionally produce poor traction, braking action issues, or hydroplaning conditions.