San Nicolas Island Nolf Airport (KNSI), California
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
San Nicolas Island NOLF, identified by ICAO code KNSI, is a Navy-operated airfield off the California coast used primarily for official military business. Civilian business aviation traffic through the field is limited, reflecting its restricted access and prior-permission requirements. The field sits roughly 72 nautical miles from the nearest metro area and about 67 nautical miles from customs clearance at Los Angeles. Its single long paved runway supports military readiness and training activity in the surrounding airspace.
Runways
San Nicolas Island Nolf Airport has one paved runway, 12/30, 10,002 ft long and 200 ft wide, with a bituminous surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
San Nicolas Island Nolf Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Los Angeles International (KLAX), 67 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
San Nicolas Island Nolf Airport recorded 55 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in February and December. Business aviation traffic at KNSI is concentrated in February and December, with several months in 2025 showing no recorded business aviation operations.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month February, 11 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Operating constraints
San Nicolas Island Nolf Airport has published operating constraints in five categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, noise procedures and other notes.
Contact Pt. Mugu Approach or the applicable radar control frequency prior to entering airspace W289.
Caution: unlit wind turbines approximately 160 feet tall are located between 3,930 feet and 6,105 feet south of the runway centerline.
Restricted to official business. Prior permission is required for all transient aircraft, requested no earlier than 7 days and no later than 72 hours before arrival; same-day requests are not accepted. Minimum notice is 24 hours, or 48 hours for large or heavy aircraft. Prior permission is issued Monday through Friday, 0600-1400 local time only, except holidays, and requires approval from the airfield manager. Aircraft that fail to arrive within plus or minus 30 minutes of their estimated arrival time risk cancellation unless prior coordination or an update is made. All prior permission requests should be sent by email to the Navy Base Ventura County Airfield Manager. New Civil Aircraft Landing Permits require 30 days' prior notice for coordination and legal review. Weight-bearing waivers require approval from the Naval Base Ventura County (Point Mugu) airfield manager with a minimum of 24 hours' prior notice. All military readiness exercises and training events require coordination with the Naval Base Ventura County airfield manager before a prior permission request can be issued. No fleet servicing is available. Aircraft parking space is extremely limited. There is no hangar space. 180-degree turns on the porous friction surface are prohibited. MV-22 operations are prohibited.
Traffic pattern: right traffic for Runway 30.
Caution: possible turbulence on short final for Runway 30.
Restricted: Runway 12 takeoff and landing distance is 9,002 feet.
The first 500 feet of Runway 12/30 is concrete; the remainder is a porous friction surface.
Caution: the Runway 30 PAPI is unserviceable until further notice.
Noise abatement: remain at least 1 mile offshore or at 1,000 feet MSL.
Lighting is available only during hours of operation.
JASU equipment available: one GTC-85, one NC-10C, and one NCPP-105.
Fuel available: J5 (military).
Operating hours are 1500-2400Z, Monday through Thursday, with alternating Fridays. Closed on non-operating Fridays and all Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Restricted: all aircraft except emergencies may be diverted to Point Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station due to drone and missile operations.
Not a port of entry; customs, agriculture, and immigration services are not available on site.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Alternates
San Nicolas Island Nolf Airport has one alternate within 46 NM. The nearest alternate is San Clemente Island Nalf (KNUC), 45.63 NM east.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KNSI
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.
$1,200.00 catering order at KNSI.
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 KNSI airport and who can operate there?
KNSI, San Nicolas Island NOLF, is a military-use airfield restricted to official business. All transient civilian aircraft require prior permission, and same-day requests are not accepted. Requests must be submitted well in advance of the intended arrival, with longer lead times for large or heavy aircraft. Aircraft parking space is extremely limited and no hangar space is available.
What runway is available at San Nicolas Island NOLF?
San Nicolas Island NOLF has a single paved runway, 12/30, measuring 10,002 feet by 200 feet with a porous friction surface beyond the first 500 feet of concrete. Runway 12 is restricted to 9,002 feet for both takeoff and landing. Traffic pattern for Runway 30 uses right traffic, and pilots should expect possible turbulence on short final for that runway.
Is fuel available at KNSI?
San Nicolas Island NOLF lists J5 fuel as available, but this is military-grade fuel tied to the field's Navy operations rather than a civilian commercial supply. No fleet servicing is available on the field. Pilots planning a stop at KNSI should not assume civilian fueling support and should plan fuel requirements accordingly before arrival.
Does KNSI have customs facilities for international arrivals?
San Nicolas Island NOLF, identified by ICAO code KNSI, is not a port of entry and has no customs, agriculture, or immigration services on site. The nearest customs facility is at Los Angeles International Airport, roughly 67 nautical miles away. Aircraft crossing into the US near this location must clear at an alternate designated port of entry rather than at San Nicolas Island itself.