Watertown International (KART), New York
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Watertown International Airport, KART, sits in upstate New York roughly 54 nautical miles from its metro area, serving as a business aviation gateway with on-site CBP inspection services for cross-border arrivals. The field pairs a 7,001-foot primary runway with a shorter crosswind runway, and its proximity to Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield brings military helicopter and night vision device activity into the surrounding airspace. Business aviation traffic at KART, drawn from FAA TFMSC data for 2025, shows a clear summer concentration against a quieter winter base.
Runways
Watertown International has two paved runways. The longest, 10/28, is 7,001 ft long and 150 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
Watertown International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Watertown International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Watertown International recorded 1,073 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July. Business aviation traffic at KART concentrates in the summer months, peaking in July and August, with roughly a third of annual bizav operations occurring during that two-month span.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 210 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Watertown International averages 1.0 days above 90°F in July and 28.2 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 79.2°F, and January the coldest, at 29.8°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Watertown International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Prior permission is required for use of unimproved surfaces; contact the airport manager.
Prior permission is required, with 24 hours notice, for transport of explosives; contact the airport manager.
Apron parking weight-bearing capacity: 68/F/C/X/T; single-wheel 120,000 pounds, dual-wheel 239,000 pounds, dual-tandem 385,000 pounds.
MALSR is activated on runways 07 and 28; REIL on runway 25; HIRL on runway 07/25; MIRL on runway 10/28; taxiway lights are controlled via CTAF. PAPI on runways 7, 10, 25, and 28 operates continuously.
Runway 25 is the calm wind runway.
Runway and taxiway conditions are unmonitored after hours.
Deer and birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR value: 601/F/D/X/T.
PCR value: 270/F/D/X/T.
Fuel is available after hours.
Military helicopter traffic operates on and in the vicinity of the airport.
TKS de-icing and anti-icing fluid is available from the FBO.
Personnel and equipment work on all surfaces from April through October; snow removal equipment operates from October through April.
Caution: night vision device operations are conducted in the traffic pattern area.
Radio-controlled model aircraft activity occurs 4 nautical miles north and 9 nautical miles south-southwest of the airport, below 400 feet.
Taxiway lights are not visible when using night vision goggles.
A weather camera is available at watertownairport.com.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact Wheeler-Sack ATCT on frequency, contact Wheeler-Sack ATCT.
Caution: rapid hot refueling occurs on the terminal and GA ramp.
Ground vehicles monitor CTAF.
US Customs parking is at the GA ramp unless authorized otherwise by customs or the FBO.
TKS, Type I and Type IV fluids are available; contact the FBO.
Medevac operations occur on the airport; right of way is given to aircraft or helicopters using a medevac callsign.
Wheeled helicopters are requested to ground taxi when crossing the GA ramp.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Watertown International has five airfields within 42 NM. The closest is Wheeler-Sack Aaf (KGTB), 13.49 NM east.
Part of the Upstate New York area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KART
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 KART.
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
Does KART have customs available on-site for international arrivals?
Watertown International Airport, KART, has CBP inspection services available on-site rather than requiring a diversion to a nearby customs port. Aircrews should note that US Customs parking is designated on the GA ramp unless customs or the FBO authorizes a different location. This gives operators planning cross-border legs from Canada a direct arrival option without routing to another airport for clearance. As with any customs operation, coordination ahead of arrival remains standard practice.
What runways are available at Watertown International, and which one is the calm wind runway?
Watertown International, KART, operates two paved asphalt runways: 10/28 at 7,001 feet and 07/25 at 4,999 feet, both 150 feet wide. Runway 25 is designated as the calm wind runway. Lighting includes MALSR on runways 07 and 28, REIL on runway 25, HIRL on 07/25, and MIRL on 10/28, with PAPI operating continuously on runways 7, 10, 25, and 28. Taxiway lights and other pilot-controlled lighting are activated via CTAF since the field is non-towered.
Is fuel available at KART outside of attended hours?
Watertown International Airport, KART, offers both 100LL and Jet A fuel, with fuel available after hours according to the field remarks. The airport's attendance schedule runs 0500-1900 from May through September and 0600-1800 from October through April. Runway and taxiway conditions are noted as unmaintained after hours, which is a separate consideration from after-hours fuel access. Pilots should plan taxi and surface expectations accordingly when operating outside the attended window.
What weight-bearing capacity does the apron at KART support?
The apron parking area at Watertown International, KART, carries a weight-bearing capacity rating of 68/F / C/X / T, with single-wheel loading at 120,000 pounds, dual-wheel at 239,000 pounds, and dual-tandem at 385,000 pounds. Operators of larger business jets or transport-category aircraft should weigh their aircraft configuration against these figures before planning a ramp stay. The runway pavement itself carries separate PCR values of 601/F / D/X / T and 270/F / D/X / T depending on which runway is used. These figures come directly from the airport's published pavement data.
What wildlife or airspace hazards should pilots expect near KART?
Watertown International, KART, reports deer and birds both on and in the vicinity of the airport, a standing hazard for approach and departure phases. The field also sees military helicopter traffic on and around the airport, along with night vision device operations conducted within the traffic pattern area. Radio-controlled model aircraft activity occurs 4 nautical miles north and 9 nautical miles south-southwest of the field, below 400 feet. Pilots using night vision goggles should also be aware that taxiway lights are not visible through that equipment.