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| Mather Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mather Airport |
| IATA | MHR |
| ICAO | KMHR |
| FAA | MHR |
| Type | Public |
| Owner | Sacramento County |
| City-served | Sacramento, California |
| Location | Rancho Cordova, California |
| Elevation-f | 46 |
| Elevation-m | 14 |
| Runway1 number | 12/30 |
| Runway1 length ft | 9,000 |
| Runway1 surface | Concrete |
Mather Airport Mather Airport is a public airport located in Rancho Cordova near Sacramento, California, that occupies the former Mather Air Force Base site. The airport serves general aviation, cargo, and flight training activities and has been associated with regional Sacramento County planning, Federal Aviation Administration oversight, and adaptive reuse initiatives. Its transition from a Cold War-era installation to a civil aerodrome involved agencies such as the United States Air Force, Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and local redevelopment authorities.
The airfield originated as a training base established during World War II and was later named for Second Lieutenant Carl Spencer Mather; it became a permanent installation during the Cold War under the United States Air Force and hosted units including bombardment and navigator training wings that interfaced with commands like Air Training Command and Strategic Air Command. After the end of the Cold War, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended closure and transfer, leading to property conveyance to Sacramento County and the establishment of redevelopment programs tied to the Economic Development Administration and local planning bodies. Adaptive reuse efforts involved partnerships with entities such as the Federal Aviation Administration, California Department of Transportation, and private developers, while preservation advocates referenced listings like the National Register of Historic Places for select Cold War-era structures. Redevelopment has been shaped by regional transportation plans coordinated with agencies such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.
The airport's pavement and airfield layout accommodate fixed-wing general aviation, rotorcraft, and cargo operations; its primary runway and taxiway systems were modernized to meet Federal Aviation Administration standards and to support instrument approaches coordinated with Air Traffic Control procedures. Fixed-base operators and flight schools located at the field provide services similar to those at other regional hubs such as Sacramento International Airport and are regulated under certifications comparable to Part 145 maintenance facilities and Part 135 operators when applicable. Emergency response coordination has involved agencies including the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, California Office of Emergency Services, and regional law enforcement including the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. Airspace coordination occurs relative to nearby terminal control centers such as the Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center and adjacent airfields like McClellan Airfield and Beale Air Force Base for military/non‑interference procedures.
Commercial airline service at the site has historically been limited; scheduled passenger operations have been intermittent and oriented toward regional or charter markets involving operators registered with the Department of Transportation and certificated under Federal Aviation Administration rules. Cargo and logistics operators using the field have coordinated with entities such as FedEx Express and United Parcel Service on ad hoc or contract charter flights, while business aviation connects the airport to centers like San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and San Diego International Airport through private carriers and on-demand charter services. Flight training and aerial instruction link the airport with academic programs and institutions including California State University, Sacramento and local aviation academies.
Ground access to the airport is facilitated by regional highways including U.S. Route 50 and Interstate 80 corridors, with surface connections planned and coordinated with transit agencies such as Sacramento Regional Transit District and commuter rail providers including Amtrak California services on nearby corridors. Local roadway improvements have been advanced through partnerships with Sacramento County Department of Transportation and the California Department of Transportation to support access for cargo vehicles, student pilots, and visitors to adjacent redevelopment parcels. Bicycle and pedestrian planning in the surrounding Rancho Cordova area has involved coordination with municipal planning commissions and regional trail initiatives connected to the American River Parkway.
Incidents at the airport have been investigated by agencies such as the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, with reports addressing general aviation accidents, maintenance-related issues, and pilot proficiency events. Historical investigations referenced protocols and findings similar to those published following investigations at other regional fields like Hayward Executive Airport and Oxnard Airport, influencing training, safety management systems, and maintenance oversight. Emergency responses frequently involve local agencies including the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and mutual aid partners.
Plans for future development at the site are guided by county redevelopment plans, aviation master plans, and regional growth strategies produced in consultation with bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, Sacramento County Planning Department, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Proposed projects have included airfield infrastructure upgrades, new hangar construction, expansion of fixed-base operator services, and mixed-use redevelopment of former base facilities in alignment with regional economic initiatives like those promoted by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and local chambers of commerce. Environmental review processes reference standards from agencies including the California Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency for brownfield remediation, wetlands mitigation, and traffic impact mitigation to integrate aviation use with community redevelopment goals.
Category:Airports in Sacramento County, California