San Marcos Airport: Does It Exist?

San Marcos, Texas, is home to the San Marcos Regional Airport, a public airport located in Caldwell County. The airport is owned by the City of San Marcos and operated by Texas Aviation Partners. It covers an area of 1,303 acres at an elevation of 595 feet above mean sea level and features three asphalt-paved runways. There are also San Marcoses in California, for which there are no airports in the city itself, but there are several in the surrounding area.

San Marcos Regional Airport in Texas

San Marcos Regional Airport (ICAO: KHYI, FAA LID: HYI) is a public airport located in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. Strategically situated between two of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas, the airport is about 7.4 km (4 nmi) east of the central business district of San Marcos, a city primarily in Hays County. The airport is owned by the City of San Marcos and is operated by Texas Aviation Partners, with exceptional business and aviation services on offer.

Before its operation as a civilian airport, it was known as Gary Air Force Base. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that the abandoned Camp Gary would become a new federal vocational training facility. However, organised San Marcans advocated for its preservation, and it later transitioned into a civilian airport.

Spanning an area of 1,303 acres (527 hectares), San Marcos Regional Airport boasts an elevation of 595 feet (181 metres) above mean sea level. The airport features three asphalt runways: 8/26, measuring 6,330 by 100 feet (1,929 x 30 metres); 13/31, spanning 5,601 by 150 feet (1,707 x 46 metres); and 17/35, measuring 5,214 by 100 feet (1,589 x 30 metres).

For the 12-month period ending on June 5, 2023, the airport recorded 91,849 aircraft operations, averaging 251 per day. The breakdown of these operations included 98% general aviation, 2% military, and less than 1% air taxi. As of 2023, 219 aircraft were based at the airport, comprising 156 single-engine, 42 multi-engine, 14 jet, and 7 helicopter units.

On September 24, 2020, a collision involving two airplanes attempting to land at the airport resulted in injuries to two men in one of the planes, while the pilot of the other plane was unharmed.

San Marcos, California airports

San Marcos, California does not have its own airport. However, there are several airports in the vicinity, with Carlsbad Airport (CLD) being the closest, at 6.6 miles from San Marcos. This airport is likely small, serving private planes and a limited number of commercial flights.

Other nearby airports include San Diego International Airport (SAN), 28.6 miles away, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights. This airport provides connections to major US cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, as well as destinations in Mexico and Canada. With a bus connection to San Marcos, this airport is a convenient option for travellers.

Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) is another option, situated 43 miles from San Marcos. This airport primarily serves the Mexican city of Tijuana, offering both domestic and international flights. It is a useful alternative for travellers open to crossing the border.

Additionally, Santa Ana's John Wayne Airport (SNA), located 54.9 miles away, serves Orange County and provides a range of domestic flights within the US. For those seeking a more distant option, there's also the Indio/Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), positioned 60.7 miles from San Marcos. This airport caters to a mix of commercial and private aviation needs.

Alternatively, if one is willing to travel a bit further, there is the San Marcos Regional Airport in Texas. This airport is located 7.4 km east of San Marcos, Texas, and is a public-use airport. It covers an area of 1,303 acres and has three asphalt runways. It primarily caters to general aviation, with a small percentage of military and air taxi operations.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's regional fly-in

San Marcos, Texas, is home to the San Marcos Regional Airport, a public airport located in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. The airport is owned by the City of San Marcos and operated by Texas Aviation Partners. It is situated 7.4 km (4 nmi) east of the central business district of San Marcos, which is primarily in Hays County.

In 2014, the San Marcos Regional Airport was chosen to host the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association's (AOPA) regional fly-in. AOPA is a large aviation community representing over two-thirds of all private pilots in the US, including its 320,000 active members. The association is headquartered at Frederick Municipal Airport in central Maryland and has offices in Washington, DC, and Wichita, KS.

The San Marcos Regional Airport covers an area of 527 hectares (1,303 acres) and sits at an elevation of 181 meters (595 feet) above mean sea level. The airport features three asphalt runways:

• Runway 8/26: 1,929 meters (6,330 feet) by 30 meters (100 feet)
• Runway 13/31: 1,707 meters (5,601 feet) by 46 meters (150 feet)
• Runway 17/35: 1,589 meters (5,214 feet) by 30 meters (100 feet)

For the 12-month period ending on June 5, 2023, the airport recorded 91,849 aircraft operations, averaging 251 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (98%), with a small percentage being military (2%) and air taxi (<1%). At that time, there were 219 aircraft based at the airport, including 156 single-engine planes, 42 multi-engine planes, 14 jets, and 7 helicopters.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is a passionate and dedicated group of aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and aircraft owners. The association represents and advocates for the interests of its members, offering a wide range of benefits, resources, and services tailored to the flying community. AOPA also organises events like the regional fly-in to bring members together and promote aviation.

Charter flights to San Marcos Regional Airport

San Marcos Regional Airport (ICAO: KHYI, FAA LID: HYI) is a public-use airport located in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. The airport is situated 7.4 km east of the central business district of San Marcos, a city primarily in Hays County. It is owned by the City of San Marcos and operated by Texas Aviation Partners.

The airport covers an area of 1,303 acres at an elevation of 595 feet above mean sea level. It features three asphalt runways, with the longest being 6,330 feet in length. San Marcos Regional Airport is well-positioned between two rapidly growing metropolitan areas, making it a strategic location for business and aviation services. It is also the only FAA-designated reliever airport for both the Austin-Bergstrom and San Antonio International Airports.

You can book charter flights and private jets to and from San Marcos Regional Airport. Linear Air, for example, offers charter flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to San Marcos Regional Airport. These flights provide instant booking without the need for quotes or membership. They offer a range of aircraft options, including luxury jets, business-class turbo-props, and affordable air taxis, depending on your preferences for seats, speed, and non-stop range.

Additionally, Linear Air also provides charter flights to San Marcos Regional Airport from various other airports, including V C Bird International/St. John's Airport, Ainsworth Regional Airport, Anthony Municipal Airport, and Lima Allen County Airport, to name a few. These flights can be easily booked online, and you can even share extra seats to receive credits for future flights.

History of San Marcos Regional Airport

San Marcos Regional Airport is a public airport located in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. It is situated 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east of San Marcos, a city predominantly in Hays County. The airport is owned by the City of San Marcos and operated by Texas Aviation Partners.

Before it was converted into a civilian airport, the facility was known as Gary Air Force Base. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that the abandoned Camp Gary would become a new federal vocational training facility called Job Corps. This decision was made after organised San Marcans advocated for the preservation of the base.

Today, the airport is the only FAA-designated reliever airport for both the Austin-Bergstrom and San Antonio International Airports. It covers an area of 1,303 acres (527 ha) and sits at an elevation of 595 feet (181 m) above mean sea level. The airport features three asphalt runways: 8/26, 13/31, and 17/35, each varying in length and width.

For the 12-month period ending June 5, 2023, the airport accommodated 91,849 aircraft operations, averaging 251 per day. The majority of these operations were general aviation (98%), with a small percentage dedicated to military use (2%) and air taxi services (<1%). During this period, 219 aircraft were based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter categories.

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