I flew into Hood River Airport (4S2) on a Tuesday morning last fall – partly for the famous fruit stands, partly because I’d heard pilots talk about this place for years. The approach alone was worth the trip: you’re coming in on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood looming in your peripheral vision. It’s one of those airports that reminds you why you learned to fly in the first place.
Quick Answer: Hood River Airport has a 3,150-foot paved runway (15/33) at 625 feet elevation. No tower, no fuel, but excellent access to downtown Hood River (2 miles). Best for VFR pilots comfortable with crosswinds – the Gorge funnels strong winds year-round. Parking is free and walking to breweries is easy.
Runway and Operations
Runway 15/33 measures 3,150 x 60 feet with a slight upslope to the south. Pattern altitude is 1,625 feet MSL. Probably should have led with this, honestly – there are cliffs on the north side, so don’t overshoot on Runway 33. Wind typically favors Runway 15 due to prevailing westerlies through the Gorge.
Expect crosswinds. This is non-negotiable. The Columbia River Gorge is one of North America’s windiest corridors – that’s what makes this endearing to us aviation enthusiasts, and also what makes summer afternoons interesting. Regularly you’ll see 15-25 knot winds from the west. Check METAR at KDLS (The Dalles, 20 miles east) for Gorge conditions. Mornings offer the calmest flying, which is why I always plan my arrivals before 10 AM.
Facilities and Services
Hood River has no fuel, no FBO, and no maintenance – just the basics. If you need 100LL, Cascade Locks State Airport (CZK) is 15 miles west. Troutdale (TTD), about 50 miles west, has full services including maintenance and avgas.
Parking is free on the ramp. Tie-downs are available but bring your own chains – I learned this the hard way when afternoon winds came up faster than expected. The small terminal has restrooms and a courtesy phone. No rental cars on field, but Uber and Lyft work well. Walking to town takes about 25 minutes if you’re not in a rush.
Things to Do
Hood River thrives on outdoor recreation – kiteboarding and windsurfing dominate summer months. But honestly, I come for the breweries. Full Sail Brewing offers tours and tastings two miles from the airport. pFriem Family Brewers and Double Mountain Brewery downtown pour excellent craft beers that justify the flight by themselves.
Mount Hood looms 25 miles south. The mountain draws skiers in winter and hikers in summer. Hood River serves as base camp for Timberline Lodge, with free shuttles from town.
Fruit stands line Highway 35 in fall. Apples, pears, and cherries grow throughout the valley. Many stands offer U-pick options and fresh-pressed cider – loading up the baggage compartment with local produce has become a tradition for me.
Flying Tips
Fly early. This cannot be overstated. Winds build after 11 AM and peak at 3-5 PM. By evening, turbulence settles but crosswinds persist. The smoothest approaches happen between sunrise and 10 AM.
Watch for gliders. Hood River Soaring operates from the south end of the field. Sailplanes often work the ridge lift along the cliffs – they’re quiet and sometimes hard to spot. Monitor 122.9 for glider traffic and announce your position clearly.
Don’t buzz the river. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has noise-sensitive restrictions. Stay above 1,000 AGL over populated areas and avoid low passes over windsurfers – they don’t appreciate it, and frankly, neither do the authorities.
Getting There
From Portland (TTD), fly east along the Columbia River at 3,500-4,500 feet. Hood River appears 45 miles out with Mount Hood as a backdrop. From the east, follow I-84 west from The Dalles. The airport sits on the south side of Highway 35.
Hood River makes an excellent breakfast flight from anywhere in the Willamette Valley. Combine it with a Troutdale fuel stop for a perfect Saturday morning mission. The scenery alone justifies the crosswind practice – though the beer and cider make strong arguments too.
Leave a Reply