3/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“They were incredibly kind, patient, and professional, and they went above and beyond to help me at the airport.”
Liza5★ on Google
Airports / California / CLD
Medium airport · CLD
McClellan-Palomar Airport.
Carlsbad, California · 331 ft elevation. 6 charter operators based here.
4.6/5
Google rating
246 ratings
6
Operators based
331
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Carlsbad, CaliforniaELEV 331 FTMedium airportScheduled service
4.6
Google rating
246
Google reviews
ratings on Google
6
Based operators
charter operators on the field
1
FBOs on field
ramp, fuel and handling
331
Field elevation
feet above sea level
Field standing
#39 / 152
California airports by Google rating
4.6★ across 246 Google ratings , ranked against 152 rated CA fields.
6 operators
Charter fleet based on the field
More resident charter operators than 91% of the 651 US fields with a based fleet on the register.
11 nm
To the nearest alternate
Camp Pendleton MCAS (Munn Field) Airport (KNFG), 6 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ / CLD) sits in Carlsbad, California, where it functions as a mid-sized airport. Field elevation is 331 feet above sea level. Scheduled carriers operate here, and the field also sees regular private and charter activity.
For charter flyers, CLD is a home base: Diamond Aviation, Jet Methods, Inc., and JetUp Aviation, LLC operate from the field, 6 in all. The closest alternate fields are Camp Pendleton MCAS (Munn Field) Airport (KNFG, 11 nm), Miramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher Field (NKX, 17 nm), and San Diego International Airport (SAN, 24 nm). The field has a single 4,897-foot paved runway, long enough for charter aircraft up to midsize jets.
Charter travelers heading this way can start with the San Diego, CA destination guide for route and aircraft recommendations. Browse operators flying from the area or estimate a trip cost from CLD to plan your flight.
1 FBO serves KCRQ. Run one? Become the preferred FBO
Ramp services
FBOs on the field
Atlantic Aviation Carlsbad
Your FBO? Claim it, freeLocated just 35 miles outside of San Diego, Carlsbad is a beautiful mix of residential and business communities. Whether you're coming to enjoy LEGOLAND, check out the Flower Fields, spend time at the lagoons, or take care of business, Atlantic CRQ promises to meet your every need.
- Fuel
- Hangar
- Mon-Sun: 0600-2200
- Unicom 131.175
- Executive lounge
- Customs
- Conference room
- Wi-Fi
- Shuttle
- Car rental
- Hangar
- Fuel
- +2 more
- Phone
- Website
- Address
Directory data, unpaid. FBOs can take the Preferred slot above.
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
2/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“Easy to navigate, friendly staff, and a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere from curb to gate.”
Jamie Hines5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for McClellan-Palomar Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
KCRQ
IATA
CLD
FAA / Local
CRQ
Elevation
331 ft
Coordinates
33.1283° N · 117.2800° W
Airspace
D · DeltaClass D, DeltaA control tower runs the immediate airspace. Pilots establish two-way radio contact before entering, typical for busy business-aviation fields.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs CA fields
state range -210–7,135 ft
At 331 ft, CLD sits higher than 51% of the 164 California fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 4,897 ft
- 06/244,897 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 4,897 ft
CLD's 4,897 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to midsize jets.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Based charter operators6
- Latitude 33 Aviation, LLCCarlsbad, CA · Part 1355.0(7)6 aircraft · KCRQ
- Jet Methods, Inc.Carlsbad, CA · Part 1355.0(3)6 aircraft · KCRQ
- Schubach AviationCarlsbad, CA · Part 1355.0(11)4 aircraft · KCRQ
- Premier Air Charter, LLCCarlsbad, CA · Part 1354.5(4)3 aircraft · KCRQ
- Diamond AviationCarlsbad, CA · Part 1353 aircraft · KCRQ
- JetUp Aviation, LLCCarlsbad, CA · Part 1355.0(7)KCRQ
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 11nmKNFGCamp Pendleton MCAS (Munn Field) AirportOceanside
- 17nmNKXMiramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher FieldSan Diego
- 24nmSANSan Diego International AirportSan Diego
- 26nmNZYNorth Island Naval Air Station-Halsey FieldSan Diego
- 37nmSDMBrown Field Municipal AirportSan Diego
- 39nmTIJGeneral Abelardo L. Rodriguez International AirportTijuana
Destinations served
Location
Open the full mapKCRQ · McClellan-Palomar Airport · Carlsbad, CA
From the ramp
Google Places photography of McClellan-Palomar Airport, tap any frame to view full-screen, then cycle with the arrows or your keyboard.
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from CLD on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 206 nm | 53m |
| Scottsdale (SCF) | 271 nm | 1h 2m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 367 nm | 1h 15m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 525 nm | 1h 37m |
| Aspen (ASE) | 623 nm | 1h 51m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 635 nm | 1h 53m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 700 nm | 2h 2m |
| Denver (DEN) | 729 nm | 2h 6m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use CLD?
- McClellan-Palomar Airport's longest paved runway is 4,897 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to midsize jets. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at CLD?
- McClellan-Palomar Airport has one runway; the longest measures 4,897 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at CLD?
- Yes. 6 charter operators list McClellan-Palomar Airport as a home base, including Diamond Aviation, Jet Methods, Inc., JetUp Aviation, LLC. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- Which FBOs are at McClellan-Palomar Airport?
- One FBO serves CLD: Atlantic Aviation Carlsbad. Phone, website, hours, unicom and services for each are listed on this page. Call ahead for fuel, ramp space, and ground handling.
- What is the nearest major airport to CLD?
- The closest alternate is Camp Pendleton MCAS (Munn Field) Airport (KNFG), about 11 nm away, followed by Miramar Marine Corps Air Station - Mitscher Field (NKX) at 17 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from CLD to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Las Vegas about 53m (206 nm), Scottsdale about 1h 2m (271 nm), San Francisco about 1h 15m (367 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.