Methow Valley State Airport (S52), Washington
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Methow Valley State Airport (S52) is a public-use, unattended field near Winthrop, Washington, serving general aviation and business traffic at 1,706 feet elevation. A single paved runway, 13/31, handles the airport's modest but steady bizav activity under CTAF procedures, with both 100LL and Jet A available despite the lack of on-field staffing. The airport sits well away from any customs facility, and pilots crossing from Canada should plan routing through the nearest designated port of entry accordingly.
Runways
Methow Valley State Airport has one paved runway, 13/31, 5,049 ft long and 75 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Methow Valley State Airport has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Methow Valley State Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is 0S7, 43 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Methow Valley State Airport recorded 108 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in August. Business aviation traffic at Methow Valley State Airport concentrates in the summer months, peaking in August, with June and July also showing elevated activity compared to the rest of the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 23 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Methow Valley State Airport averages 11.5 days above 90°F in July, 30.7 freeze days in December and 7.3 snow days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85.8°F, and December the coldest, at 29.2°F.
Weather station is 3.4 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Methow Valley State Airport has published operating constraints in two categories: runway notes and other notes.
The medium intensity runway lights for Runway 13/31 are activated via CTAF.
A road obstruction is present at 0 feet, 125 feet left of the runway; another road obstruction is at 182 feet, with a steel post and fence rising 5 feet above ground at 78 feet, 80 feet left.
A center pivot irrigation system is present. The Runway 13 approach slope is affected at a 0:1 ratio up to a 13-foot service road located at the threshold, 92 feet right of the displaced threshold.
The Runway 31 approach slope is affected by a tree reaching 65 feet above the displaced threshold, located 538 feet from the threshold and 39 feet right of centerline.
The obstruction type is an agricultural irrigation system.
Some obstructions are located within the primary and transitional surfaces.
Pedestrians, vehicles, and animals may be present on and in the vicinity of the runway.
The rotating beacon operates on pilot control via CTAF.
Smoke jumper base parachute operations are common during the spring and summer months.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Methow Valley State Airport has four airfields within 44 NM. The closest is Omak (KOMK), 25.12 NM east.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at S52
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 S52.
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 runway is available at S52?
Methow Valley State Airport (S52) offers a single paved runway, designated 13/31, measuring 5,049 feet long and 75 feet wide with an asphalt surface. There is no parallel or crosswind runway option at this field. Runway lighting, specifically the MIRL system, is pilot-activated via CTAF rather than continuously operated. This is the only landing surface available at the airport.
Is fuel available at Methow Valley State Airport?
Methow Valley State Airport stocks both 100LL and Jet A fuel on the field. The airport is unattended, so fuel service operates without staffed personnel present, meaning self-service procedures likely apply. Pilots should confirm fuel status directly given the unattended nature of the facility before planning a fuel stop at S52.
Are there obstacles to be aware of on approach at S52?
Yes, Methow Valley State Airport has documented obstructions affecting both runway approaches. The Runway 31 approach has a tree obstruction reaching 65 feet above the displaced threshold, located 538 feet from the threshold and 39 feet right of centerline. The Runway 13 approach is affected by a center pivot irrigation system near a service road close to the displaced threshold. Some obstructions also extend into the primary and transitional surfaces at S52.
Does customs clearance happen on-site at Methow Valley State Airport?
No, customs processing is not available on-site at Methow Valley State Airport. The nearest customs-equipped airport is located approximately 43 nautical miles away. Pilots arriving from Canada or requiring customs clearance near S52 must route through that facility instead of clearing directly at Methow Valley.