Airport Overview
Salem-McNary Field (KSLE) is the public, city-owned airport serving Salem, Oregon's state capital, just two miles southeast of downtown. Named for U.S. Senator Charles L. McNary, the field was officially renamed Salem-Willamette Valley Airport in June 2024 to highlight its setting in the Willamette Valley wine region, though it remains known locally as McNary Field and retains the SLE/KSLE identifiers. It is a full general-aviation facility with a control tower, terminal, and on-field FBO.
Runway Capability
The primary runway, 13/31, is 5,811 feet of grooved asphalt with an ILS to Runway 31; the crosswind runway, 16/34, adds 5,146 feet. This is a genuine jet-capable field: light and midsize jets operate without difficulty, and super-midsize aircraft are workable with standard performance planning. The low 214-foot elevation keeps density-altitude effects minimal year-round.
FBO & Ground Services
Ground handling is provided by Salem Air Center (Salem Aviation Fueling), the airport's sole FBO. Services include Jet-A and 100LL fuel, transient and overnight parking, hangars, GPU, oxygen, and passenger handling. With a single operator on the field, arranging fuel, hangar space, and after-hours service in advance is recommended.
Customs & International
KSLE has no on-field U.S. Customs, so it cannot serve as a port of entry for international arrivals. Inbound international trips should clear customs at a designated airport of entry such as Portland International (PDX), roughly 45 miles north, before continuing to Salem. The Jet Finder can structure routing and clearance for cross-border itineraries.
Safety & Planning
McNary Field is towered from 0700-2100 on 119.1; outside those hours it reverts to CTAF. The ILS to Runway 31 allows low-visibility arrivals, with RNAV (GPS) approaches to both runway ends as backups. Willamette Valley winter fog and frontal low ceilings can drop the field to IFR, so instrument-capable aircraft and crews are recommended for schedule reliability.
Regional Context
Salem sits at the heart of the Willamette Valley, Oregon's premier wine-producing region, with state-government, agricultural, and tourism traffic driving demand. KSLE is the closest jet-capable field to the capitol complex and valley wineries, sparing travelers the drive from Portland. For comparison, PDX to the north handles heavier and international traffic when KSLE's runway length or customs needs require it.