Ysterplaat Air Force Base

FAYP

Cape Town, ZA

Last Updated
May 14, 23:00Z

No METAR Available for FAYP

Showing weather from nearby airport with METAR data.

Currently using: FACT
Weather Source: Cape Town International Airport (FACT)
Distance: 6nm / 12km from FAYP

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a military aerodrome. Civil aircraft access may be restricted or require prior authorization. Consult the applicable AIP for current access procedures.

Consult the applicable national AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 46 min ago
23:00Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
13°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 12°C
7 kt
40°
10+ km
Visibility
3,900 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1024 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR FACT 142300Z 04007KT 9999 BKN039 13/12 Q1024 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 52 ft
BKN 3,900 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
3,900 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
3,952 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Ysterplaat Air Force Base is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 3,900 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the northeast (40°) at 7 knots. Runway 02/20 is favored with a 7-knot headwind and 2-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 3900 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 13°C (55°F) with a dewpoint of 12°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Mist. There is a 30% probability of IFR conditions with Mist between 03:00Z and 06:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1024 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1022 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (52 ft)
Pressure Alt
-271 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: -499 ft
ISA Deviation: -1.9°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF FACT 141600Z 1418/1524 34006KT 9999 FEW040 TX20/1512Z TN10/1504Z FM142100 35005KT 9999 BKN025 PROB30 TEMPO 1503/1506 2000 BR NSC FM151200 18010KT CAVOK
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
23:45Z BASE
+0h
VFR 340° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
03:00Z PROB30 TEMPO
+4h
IFR
Visibility: 2 km
Mist

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
AYP
02 ✈️
20

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 02/20
Active: 02
5,200 ft 75 ft ASP 356°
6.6 kt 2.4 kt
20° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Ysterplaat Air Force Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: FAYP
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 52 ft MSL

Location

City: Cape Town
Country: ZA
Latitude: -33.900200°
Longitude: 18.498301°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-1

Runway Information

Runway 02/20
Length: 5,200 ft
Width: 75 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Ysterplaat Air Force Base

Ysterplaat Air Force Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the ZA AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Ysterplaat Air Force Base is a military airport situated in Cape Town, South Africa, serving the South African Air Force (SAAF) operations. Located at coordinates -33.900200, 18.498301, the base is positioned at a low elevation of 52 feet above mean sea level, providing relatively straightforward terrain for aviation operations.

Flying Conditions

Cape Town's coastal location introduces variable wind conditions that can impact flight operations at Ysterplaat AFB. The single runway 02/20, measuring 5200 feet in length with an asphalt surface, offers pilots a substantial landing and takeoff area that can accommodate medium-sized aircraft typical of military and support operations.

Notable Features

The airport's proximity to Cape Town's urban environment means pilots should anticipate potential complex airspace interactions and potential traffic from nearby civilian airports. The 5200-foot runway provides adequate length for most military and transport aircraft, with the low elevation minimizing significant altitude-related performance considerations.

Approach Considerations

Runway 02/20's orientation suggests potential wind alignment variations, requiring pilots to carefully assess current meteorological conditions before approach. The asphalt runway surface provides consistent ground handling characteristics, with the airport's low elevation ensuring predictable aircraft performance during landing and takeoff procedures.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.