Copalis Beach State Airport
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| Copalis Beach State Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| IATA: n/a - ICAO: n/a - FAA: S16 | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Washington State Department of Transportation | ||
| Serves | Copalis Beach, Washington | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 1 ft (0 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 14/32 | 4,500 | 1,372 | Sand, in fair condition |
Copalis Beach State Airport (FAA LID: S16) is the only airport in the United States that is located on an ocean beach. This airport is located on the beach near Copalis Beach, Washington, elevation 1. It is only available during low tide.
The runway is the 4500 foot stretch of ocean beach from the Copalis River on the south to the rocks a mile north. The clam digging is excellent, and resting or watching the great Pacific Ocean from here is fantastic. You can surf, fish, hunt for glass fishing balls, or find interesting pieces of driftwood. No camping is allowed at the airport.
Since the runway is the beach itself, there are some things to watch out for. First, land only on the damp sand; the dry sand is very, very soft and dangerous. The airport is generally unusable at high tide since the runway is under water. The available parking area will also be under water, so remaining overnight can cause definite problems to an aircraft. Usage is very high during periods of low tides. As many as 75 aircraft have been reported as being parked there at one time. Ground vehicle and pedestrian access is legal, so the area can be extremely congested. Since the ocean washes the runway twice a day, debris and driftwood are possible. Overflight is essential to inspect for pedestrians, vehicles, animals, and debris. Remember, people on the ground can not hear the airplane with the power off, so be ready to go around. The airport is generally open year round.
