Pilots & crew
Arriving at KSQL
Text or call the line before you land: (650) 716-6579. Below are the county noise abatement procedures and the current FAA charts for San Carlos.
Before you land
Let the line know you're coming
Text or call with your tail number, aircraft type, arrival and departure times, and the fuel and services you need. We confirm and tell you where to park.
Rabbit FBO on 130.00 · Office and billing (650) 591-5857
Flying to and from SQL
Noise abatement procedures
San Mateo County's voluntary procedures for San Carlos, written with the San Carlos Pilots Association. Homes lie south through northeast of the field. Safety and ATC instructions always come first.
Runway 30 departures
- Hillsdale
Straight out, parallel to Highway 101, for 2.75 NM until abeam Hillsdale Mall, then left to a southwesterly heading. Stay clear of the SFO Class B.
- Oracle
Straight out past the diamond-shaped waterway, right crosswind, then follow Belmont Slough toward the Bay. Keep the KNBR tower on your right and avoid the homes either side of the slough.
- Coyote Hills
Straight out past the diamond-shaped waterway, right downwind, then left toward Coyote Hills at midfield. Watch for traffic inbound from Coyote Hills.
- Woodside
Straight out past the diamond-shaped waterway, right downwind until abeam Woodside Road, then right to the southwest.
Runway 12 departures
- All departures
Turn left 20° to a heading of 100° as soon as it is safe.
- Woodside
Left to 100°, upwind until abeam Woodside Road, then right to the southwest.
Arrivals
- From the west
Overhead the tower at or above 1,200 ft MSL, then enter downwind as advised.
- From the east
Over Coyote Hills via the Cement Plant (VPWFR).
- From the northeast
Via the KNBR tower, keeping it on your right. Watch for Oracle departures.
- Straight in
From Woodside VOR (OSI) toward SLAC (VPSLA), at or above 1,000 ft MSL until past Kaiser Hospital.
Pattern and training
- Calm-wind runway is 12.
- Runway 30 pattern work: straight out past the diamond-shaped waterway, reduce power as soon as safe, and delay the downwind turn until 800 ft MSL.
- Touch-and-go and stop-and-go: weekdays 8 am to two hours after sunset; weekends and holidays 9:30 am to 6 pm.
- No touch-and-go or stop-and-go landings when the tower is closed (FAA Chart Supplement).
- Helicopters: left traffic for Runway 30 at 800 ft MSL, east of the homes along Highway 101.
Sources: San Mateo County procedures (PDF) · Fly SMC Friendly · Airport manager (650) 573-3700
FAA documents
Charts and procedures for KSQL
Linked to the FAA's current publication for San Carlos. Check NOTAMs before you fly.