Sparta Community-Hunter Field (KSAR), Illinois
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Sparta Community-Hunter Field, identified as KSAR, serves the Sparta, Illinois area with a paved runway and a turf crosswind runway, operating without a control tower. The field sits roughly 43 nautical miles from the nearest metro area and reports business aviation activity through FAA TFMSC tracking for 2025. Fuel is available on a self-service basis, and pilots coordinate airport lighting and traffic advisories over CTAF given the lack of tower coverage.
Runways
Sparta Community-Hunter Field has two paved and unpaved runways. The longest, 18/36, is 4,002 ft long and 75 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Sparta Community-Hunter Field has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Sparta Community-Hunter Field does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Scott AFB / Midamerica Saint Louis (KBLV), 25 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Sparta Community-Hunter Field recorded 163 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July. Business aviation traffic at KSAR concentrates in the warmer months, with July, September, and May recording the highest monthly operations counts in 2025.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 27 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is 2.0 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Sparta Community-Hunter Field has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and other notes.
For clearance delivery, contact St. Louis Approach.
Migratory waterfowl are present northwest of Runway 18/36.
The MIRL for Runway 18/36 and the wind indicator are preset on low intensity. To increase intensity and activate the REIL for Runway 18 and Taxiway A, use CTAF.
Runway 18 markings are faded.
Runway 36 markings are faded.
Runway 09/27 is marked with white cones.
The PAPI for Runway 18 is unusable beyond 7 degrees left of course.
Self-service fuel is available 24 hours a day using a credit card.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Sparta Community-Hunter Field has five airfields within 37 NM. The closest is Perryville Regional (KPCD), 18.48 NM southwest.
Part of the St. Louis area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KSAR
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 KSAR.
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 runways are available at KSAR?
Sparta Community-Hunter Field offers two runways: 18/36, a paved asphalt strip measuring 4,002 feet by 75 feet, and 09/27, a 2,958-foot turf runway. The paved runway supports the field's designated max paved length of 4,002 feet. Runway 18 markings and Runway 36 markings are both noted as faded, so pilots should expect reduced visual reference on those surfaces.
Is fuel available at Sparta Community-Hunter Field?
Yes, KSAR provides both 100LL and Jet A fuel. Self-service fuel is available 24 hours a day using a credit card, independent of the airport's attended hours. The field is staffed Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1700 and Saturday from 0800 to 1500, but fuel access itself is not limited to those windows.
Are there any visual approach limitations at KSAR?
Yes, the PAPI serving Runway 18 at Sparta Community-Hunter Field is unusable beyond 7 degrees left of course. Pilots flying that approach should be aware the visual guidance only holds within that lateral limit. Runway 09/27 at the same field is marked with white cones rather than standard paint, since it is a turf surface without full markings on the 27 end.
Where is customs clearance available for aircraft arriving at KSAR?
Sparta Community-Hunter Field does not have customs on site. The nearest customs facility is at KBLV, located approximately 24.65 nautical miles away. Pilots planning international arrivals into KSAR should coordinate clearance through that facility in advance rather than expecting onsite processing.