Airports / Alaska / CDV
Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport.
Cordova, Alaska · 54 ft elevation. 1 charter operator based here.
4.8/5
Google rating
38 ratings
1
Operators based
54
Elevation ft
Google rating
Google reviews
Based operators
Field elevation
Nearest alternate
Field standing
#47 / 225
Alaska airports by Google rating
4.8★ across 38 Google ratings , ranked against 225 rated AK fields.
42 nm
To the nearest alternate
Tatitlek Airport (TEK), 2 fields within 50 nm.
Overview
Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport (PACV / CDV) is a mid-sized airport serving Cordova, Alaska. The airport sits 54 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
The airport anchors local charter capacity, Alaska Wilderness Outfitting Company is based here. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Tatitlek Airport (TEK, 42 nm), Valdez Pioneer Field (VDZ, 45 nm), and Chenega Bay Airport (NCN, 79 nm). With 2 runways, the longest 7,500-foot paved runway, CDV can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from CDV depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. In directories and search listings it also appears under Cordova Mile 13. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Cordova.
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Field capability
ICAO
PACV
IATA
CDV
FAA / Local
CDV
Elevation
54 ft
Coordinates
60.4918° N · 145.4780° W
Airspace
E · EchoClass E, EchoControlled airspace reaches the surface for instrument approaches, but there is no control tower on the field.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Medium
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs AK fields
state range 2–3,318 ft
At 54 ft, CDV sits lower than 67% of the 285 Alaska fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
2 runways
longest 7,500 ft
- 09/277,500 ft × 150 ftAsphaltLighted
- 16/341,934 ft × 30 ftOtherUnlit
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 7,500 ft
CDV's 7,500 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- 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 operators1
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 42nmTEKTatitlek AirportTatitlek
- 45nmVDZValdez Pioneer FieldValdez
- 79nmNCNChenega Bay AirportChenega
- 92nmCYTYakataga AirportYakataga
- 96nmMYKMay Creek AirportMay Creek
- 100nmGKNGulkana AirportGulkana
Location
Open the full mapPACV · Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport · Cordova, AK
From the ramp
Google Places photography of Merle K (Mudhole) Smith 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 CDV on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage (ANC) | 138 nm | 43m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 1,121 nm | 3h 0m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 1,603 nm | 4h 8m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 1,628 nm | 4h 11m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 1,706 nm | 4h 22m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 1,868 nm | 4h 45m |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 1,894 nm | 4h 48m |
| Vail / Eagle (EGE) | 1,897 nm | 4h 49m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use CDV?
- Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport's longest paved runway is 7,500 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. 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 CDV?
- Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport has 2 runways; the longest measures 7,500 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- Are there charter operators based at CDV?
- Yes. 1 charter operator list Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport as a home base, including Alaska Wilderness Outfitting Company. You can also request quotes from operators that reposition aircraft into the field.
- What is the nearest major airport to CDV?
- The closest alternate is Tatitlek Airport (TEK), about 42 nm away, followed by Valdez Pioneer Field (VDZ) at 45 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from CDV to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Seattle about 3h 0m (1,121 nm), Jackson Hole about 4h 8m (1,603 nm), San Francisco about 4h 11m (1,628 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.