Clare Municipal Airport (48D) | Private Jet Hub Near Clare

Current Conditions at K48D

Clare Municipal Airport, Clare, MI

Airport Overview

The Clare, MI region is served by Clare Municipal Airport (K48D), a public-use airport at 857 feet elevation. Runway infrastructure includes 2 strip(s); the primary surface extends 3,500 feet (N/A). Operators and private travelers use Clare Municipal Airport for its direct ramp access and minimal ground delays. For official FAA airport data, visit the FAA Airport Data portal or AirNav K48D.

Private Aviation Briefing

K48D is the identifier for Clare Municipal Airport, serving Clare at 857 ft MSL elevation. Operators, passengers, and dispatchers should note the following details for flight planning and charter operations.

U.S. General Aviation Context

Clare Municipal Airport is part of the U.S. National Airspace System, regulated by the FAA. As a MI facility, the airport contributes to the regional transportation network connecting Clare to the broader aviation system. FAA Part 135 charter operators serve this airport, and The Jet Finder can source aircraft positioned near K48D for on-demand charter.

Runway Capability

At 3500 feet, Clare Municipal Airport serves light jets and turboprops. The Citation CJ series, Phenom 100, HondaJet, and King Air family operate within this runway capability. Midsize jets require careful performance analysis based on temperature and aircraft weight. Pilots should reference aircraft-specific takeoff and landing distance charts for K48D's runway length and 857 ft MSL elevation.

Charter Considerations

Peak travel periods affect aircraft availability and pricing near Clare. Holiday weekends, major events, and seasonal migration patterns drive demand. Booking 7 to 14 days ahead of peak periods secures better aircraft selection and pricing from K48D. Last-minute charter is possible but typically costs 15 to 30% more due to limited positioning options.

What to Know Before You Fly

Weather at Clare Municipal Airport affects scheduling reliability. IFR-equipped aircraft and instrument-rated crews fly in most weather conditions, but low ceilings, thunderstorms, and winter ice can delay departures. Flexible scheduling improves reliability. Morning departures generally encounter better weather than afternoon flights, particularly during convective season.

Safety & Planning

Instrument approach availability at Clare Municipal Airport determines minimum weather for arrival. Airports with ILS approaches allow lower minimums than GPS-only fields. If K48D has limited approach options, weather alternate planning becomes critical. The Jet Finder identifies suitable alternate airports and factors this into flight planning for charter from Clare Municipal Airport.

Airport Selection Strategy

Choosing Clare Municipal Airport over a larger commercial hub near Clare often reduces total travel time. General aviation airports like K48D eliminate terminal congestion, commercial airline scheduling, and the 90-minute early arrival buffer. The net time savings on a typical trip can exceed three hours each direction.

Seasonal Factors

Seasonal demand patterns affect charter availability and pricing from Clare Municipal Airport. Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break) see 40 to 60% price increases due to demand spikes. Summer leisure travel and winter ski season create directional imbalances that generate empty leg opportunities. Planning around these patterns saves significantly on charter from K48D.

Location & Address

Geographically, Clare Municipal Airport (K48D) is located at 43.8345° N, -84.7402° W near Clare, MI. Private aviation clients arriving at K48D save the 2-3 hours commercial passengers spend on check-in, security, and baggage claim.

Runways & Facilities

Clare Municipal Airport's 3,500-foot runway accommodates turboprops, very light jets, and most light jet categories (Citation CJ series, Phenom 100/300, Premier I). Some midsize jets can operate under light-load conditions. Pilots should calculate performance based on temperature, elevation, and aircraft weight.

FBOs & Ground Services

Clare Municipal Airport offers ground handling through its on-airport service provider. Fuel availability, hangar space, and passenger amenities should be confirmed prior to arrival. The Clare area may have limited FBO options compared to larger metropolitan airports.

Charter a Jet from Clare Municipal Airport

Private charter from K48D starts with a single call. The Jet Finder sources aircraft from a nationwide network of FAA Part 135 operators, matching runway capabilities at K48D with the right aircraft for your route.

Fly Private from K48D

The Jet Finder coordinates charter flights from Clare Municipal Airport. Tell us your destination, dates, and passenger count. We source aircraft from FAA Part 135 operators matched to K48D's runway and facilities.

Airport Specifications

Airport Identity
Airport Name	Clare Municipal Airport
ICAO Code	K48D
IATA Code	48D
FAA Identifier	48D
Address	Clare, MI
Elevation	857 ft MSL
Coordinates	43.8345° N, 84.7402° W
FAA Data	AirNav 48D

Operations & Facilities
Runways	04/22: 3,500 ft (ASP) 09/27: 2,499 ft (ASP)
FBOs	Airport Services
Customs	Not available
Fuel	Contact airport for availability
Hours	Contact airport for hours
Approaches	Contact airport for approach information
Tower / Freq	See Airport/Facility Directory

Regional Aviation Context

Michigan's Great Lakes geography creates unique weather patterns including lake-effect snow and fog. The state's automotive industry drives consistent corporate aviation demand.

Operational Considerations

Clare Municipal Airport's 857-foot field elevation keeps density altitude effects manageable. Even on warm days, density altitude here tops out around 2,657 feet — within normal performance parameters for most aircraft. The 3,500-foot runway provides approximately 3,410 feet of effective sea-level performance.

Clare Municipal Airport's temperate latitude produces generally favorable flying conditions with seasonal variation. Winter brings frontal passages that can drop ceilings to IFR minimums for 24-48 hour periods. Freezing precipitation is possible but less persistent than at higher latitudes. Summer convective activity peaks in late afternoon — morning departures typically encounter smoother, clearer conditions. Year-round instrument currency is recommended for reliable scheduling.

Two runways at Clare Municipal Airport provide crosswind flexibility. When the primary runway's crosswind component exceeds aircraft limitations, the secondary runway typically offers a more favorable alignment. Runway selection should account for wind, obstacle clearance, and any published procedures.

Nearby Airports

Airports within 150 nautical miles of Clare Municipal Airport. Useful for alternate planning, repositioning, or comparing FBO options.

Clare County Airport

K80D · 13 NM from K48D

Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport

KMOP · 13 NM from K48D

Gladwin Zettel Memorial Airport

KGDW · 14 NM from K48D

Lake Isabella Airpark

KD15 · 15 NM from K48D

Frequently Asked Questions

Clare Municipal Airport is designated K48D in the FAA system. Pilots and dispatchers use this code for flight planning, weather briefings, and NOTAMs associated with the airport.

Clare Municipal Airport serves the Clare area in MI. GPS coordinates: 43.8345° N, 84.7402° W. The airport sits at 857 feet above sea level.

Clare Municipal Airport operates 2 runway(s). 04/22 is the longest at 3,500 feet on ASP. Aircraft performance planning should account for field elevation of 857 feet.

Private jet operations at Clare Municipal Airport (K48D) depend on runway length and aircraft performance. The longest runway at 3,500 feet can accommodate most light jets and turboprops. Larger aircraft should verify takeoff and landing distances against current conditions.

For FBO information at Clare Municipal Airport, visit airnav.com/airport/K48D or contact the airport office. Service levels vary; pre-arrival coordination is recommended for special requirements.

Field elevation at K48D: 857 feet above mean sea level. This figure appears in the Airport/Facility Directory and should be used for all performance computations at Clare Municipal Airport.

Published instrument approaches at K48D should be verified through current FAA sources. Clare Municipal Airport's approach options may include RNAV (GPS), VOR, or NDB depending on available NAVAIDs.

Contact The Jet Finder for charter availability from Clare Municipal Airport (K48D). Provide your destination, travel dates, and passenger count. We source aircraft from FAA Part 135 operators matched to K48D's runway and facilities.

Aircraft suitability at K48D depends on the 3,500-foot runway. Standard GA traffic — pistons, turboprops, light jets — operates without special considerations. Larger aircraft should confirm runway adequacy before flight planning.

Check the Airport/Facility Directory for K48D's tower status. Clare Municipal Airport may be towered, non-towered, or part-time tower. Appropriate communication procedures depend on tower operating hours.

Confirm fuel availability at K48D before arrival. Clare Municipal Airport may offer 100LL, Jet-A, or both. Pricing is set by the FBO. AirNav provides crowd-sourced fuel price reports from visiting pilots.

International flight planning from K48D requires CBP coordination. Clare Municipal Airport may or may not have on-field customs services. The Jet Finder can identify the nearest CBP-equipped airport and handle logistics.

Current conditions at K48D: check METAR/TAF on aviationweather.gov or your EFB. Clare Municipal Airport is subject to MI's regional weather, which may include convective activity, low ceilings, or seasonal wind patterns.

K48D provides access to Clare, MI. Ground transfer time from Clare Municipal Airport to local destinations is generally efficient. The airport's GA-specific environment means no terminal queues — just a direct walk from ramp to vehicle.

For aircraft parking at Clare Municipal Airport, contact the FBO at K48D. Most GA airports offer both transient and overnight tiedowns. Hangar space, if available, should be reserved in advance.

The Jet Finder provides personalized charter quotes from Clare Municipal Airport. Submit your trip details at thejetfinder.com/contact.html — departure date, destination, party size. No obligation. We match K48D's runway to the right aircraft.

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Experience the difference of private aviation at Clare Municipal Airport.

Clare Municipal Airport (K48D)