SECA Airport Information Overview
SECA Airport Information Overview
Catamayo Airport has two parallel runways, 07 and 25, both with a length of 6102 feet and a width of 98 feet. Runway 07 is situated at an elevation of 3944 feet, while Runway 25 has an elevation of 4059 feet . The runways are paved and primarily support VFR operations due to no LLWS alerts and the lack of a beacon. Additionally, takeoffs on Runway 25 are specifically authorized, which implies runway 07 might have limitations for takeoffs under certain conditions . The higher elevation and narrow runway width necessitate careful planning for takeoffs and landings, particularly in adverse weather conditions like morning crosswinds gusting up to 30 KT .
Catamayo Airport provides several communication channels for pilots. The Catamayo Tower can be reached at 125.000 MHz, with a secondary frequency of 122.200 MHz. Guayaquil Radio for Flight Information Service is available at 126.900 MHz, and Guayaquil ACC can be contacted at 128.300 MHz and 123.900 MHz .
The absence of a missed approach procedure for runway operations at Catamayo Airport significantly affects aviation safety. Pilots are required to follow visual rules without a predefined missed approach, which can be challenging in adverse weather or poor visibility. In such situations, pilots must rely on their judgment to execute a safe recovery plan, increasing the risk of errors. This situation underscores the need for visual flight rule proficiency among pilots and challenges them to quickly adapt strategies in dynamic environments without procedural guidance .
As a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) airport, Catamayo operates under restrictions where aircraft must remain clear of clouds and maintain visual reference to the surface at all times. This implies that the airport's operations are heavily weather-dependent, limiting flights during conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or low ceilings which can obscure visibility. The absence of instrument landing systems further restricts the types of aircraft that can operate and limits operational hours to daylight and clear weather conditions .
Catamayo Airport faces significant constraints for night flight operations. As per the available information, night operations are not authorized for certain procedures such as the VISUAL NDB approach to Runway 07. These constraints likely result from the airport's physical and navigational infrastructure limitations, which do not support safe operations in low visibility or without daylight .
Catamayo Airport's elevation of 4058 feet can affect aircraft performance, requiring adjustments in takeoff and landing calculations due to reduced air density at higher altitudes. Pilots must also account for the airport's magnetic variation of 2.0° W in their navigational planning to ensure accurate course plotting and adherence to flight paths . These factors require precise adjustments in altimeter settings and heading corrections to maintain safety and efficiency during operations.





