Moffett Federal Airfield

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ICAO Code KNUQ/NUQ
Last Validated March 2023
City Mountain View
Position 37°24'55"N 122°02'54"W
Runway(s) 14L/32R, 14R/32L
Elevation 34 ft

General

Moffett Federal Airfield used to be home to various US Navy and California Air National Guard units, nowadays the NASA Ames Research Center calls it home for their researchstudies (without based airplanes) and the 129th Rescue Wing houses their HH-60G/HC-130J. The US Army operates some Blackhawk-models for the Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AAFD), in collaboration with NASA Ames for improving their helicopter operations. Visitors include VC-25As when POTUS is visiting the area and various business traffic with jets like Gulfstreams and bizprops like Beech King Airs. Moffett Federal Field is located 3 miles (5 km) north of Mountain View, in Santa Clara County, California, USA. The airport is near the south end of San Francisco Bay, north of San Jose.

Getting There

Interstate 101 (San Francisco - San Jose) leads past Moffett Federal Airfield. Take exit Moffett Boulevard for spot number 1, or exit Ellis Street for spots number 2, 3 and 4.
Further, for those arriving by Public Transport, the Santa Clara Valley light rail passes Moffett. Use the Mountain View-Winchester line, and take stop "Bayshore/NASA" for spot 2 and 3. Take stop "Moffett Park" for spot number 4.

Around the Airport

1NASA Ames

This is the wind tunnel building of the NASA Ames Research Center. In front of this center you will find a decent line-up of preserved aircraft, among others a Starfighter and a U-2.

2Manila Avenue

Just before reaching the south gate of Moffett (from which you will be able to see the preserved Neptune and Orion) turn right. You have a decent view of the ramp, with possible visitors. Also the thresholds of both runways 32 are in full view.

3Clyde Avenue

After taking Exit Ellis Street turn South and take the first left. This is Clyde Avenue which borders a golf course. From the boundaries of the golf course you will have a good view of anything arriving on the runways 32.

4H Street

From point number 2 continue along Manila Avenue, and take the first left. H Street gives fair views of almost all ramps at Moffett: the CA ANG C-130's can easily be read off, but the Blackhawks will pose some sort of a challenge when trying to identify them. However, there is a public parking and from the top roof floor your view will be elevated.

P. Brugman photograhed Hercules 165736/QB near the railway east of spot 2.

Frequencies

380.800Clearance Delivery
336.400 / 121.850Ground
346.250 / 119.550Tower
283.000 / 124.175ATIS

Based Operators

NASA AmesNo based airplanes
129th RQW CA ANGHH-60G, HC-130J
Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AFDD)JUH-60A, UH-60L

Preserved

128393DP-2E
150509/PM-91P-3A
56-6681WU-2C
N825NATF-104G
N719NAAV-8C
N805NA/1AD-1
68-15155AH-1S

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