Nonstop flight route between Atwater, California, United States and Tsaratanana, Madagascar.:
Departure Airport:
(37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W)
Arrival Airport:
(16°45'0"S by 47°37'1"E)
Distance from MER to TTS:
10,840.03 miles (17,445.30 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- MER Airport Information
- TTS Airport Information
- Facts about MER
- Facts about TTS
- Map of Nearest Airports to MER
- List of Nearest Airports to MER
- Map of Furthest Airports from MER
- List of Furthest Airports from MER
- Map of Nearest Airports to TTS
- List of Nearest Airports to TTS
- Map of Furthest Airports from TTS
- List of Furthest Airports from TTS
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States and Tsaratanana Airport (TTS), Tsaratanana, Madagascar. would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,840 miles (or 17,445 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Castle Airport and Tsaratanana Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Castle Airport and Tsaratanana Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | MER / KMER |
| Airport Name: | Castle Airport |
| Location: | Atwater, California, United States |
| GPS Coordinates: | 37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 191 feet (58 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from MER |
| More Information: | MER Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | TTS / |
| Airport Name: | Tsaratanana Airport |
| Location: | Tsaratanana, Madagascar. |
| GPS Coordinates: | 16°45'0"S by 47°37'1"E |
| Elevation: | 0 feet (0 meters) |
| View all routes: | Routes from TTS |
| More Information: | TTS Maps & Info |
Facts about Castle Airport (MER):
- Because of Castle Airport's relatively low elevation of 191 feet, planes can take off or land at Castle Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- It was estimated that the cost to relocate the 129 RQW to Castle, to include associated military construction costs, could be recouped in seven years.
- The airport is located at the former Castle Air Force Base which closed in 1995.
- Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
- The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of MER.
- In 2004, recommendations were made to relocate the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard and its associated HC-130, MC-130 and HH-60 aircraft from Moffett Federal Airfield to the former Castle Air Force Base, now Castle Airport.
- Since the mid-1940s, aircraft maintenance, fuel management, and fire training activities on the base have generated wastes that consist primarily of waste fuels, oils, solvents, and cleaners.
- The furthest airport from Castle Airport (MER) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 11,312 miles (18,204 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
Facts about Tsaratanana Airport (TTS):
- Because of Tsaratanana Airport's relatively low elevation of 0 feet, planes can take off or land at Tsaratanana Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The furthest airport from Tsaratanana Airport (TTS) is Guerrero Negro Airport (GUB), which is located 11,032 miles (17,754 kilometers) away in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
- The closest airport to Tsaratanana Airport (TTS) is Port Bergé Airport (WPB), which is located 81 miles (130 kilometers) N of TTS.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 7.26 miles (11.68 km) SSE | Merced Regional Airport (MCE) | Merced, California, United States |     |
| 2 | 27.12 miles (43.65 km) NW | Modesto City-County Airport (MOD) | Modesto, California, United States | |
| 3 | 27.51 miles (44.27 km) SW | Los Banos Municipal Airport (LSN) | Los Banos, California, United States | |
| 4 | 29.78 miles (47.92 km) W | NASA Crows Landing Airport (NRC) | Crows Landing, California, United States | |
| 5 | 36.91 miles (59.40 km) SE | Madera Municipal Airport (MAE) | Madera, California, United States | |
| 6 | 45.69 miles (73.53 km) N | Columbia Airport (COA) | Columbia, California, United States | |
| 7 | 51.03 miles (82.13 km) NW | Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK) | Stockton, California, United States | |
| 8 | 57.32 miles (92.24 km) SW | Hollister Municipal Airport (HLI) | Hollister, California, United States | |
| 9 | 60.88 miles (97.98 km) SE | Fresno Chandler Executive AirportChandler Municipal Airport (Old) (FCH) | Fresno, California, United States | |
| 10 | 62.71 miles (100.91 km) SE | Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) | Fresno, California, United States | |
| 11 | 68.82 miles (110.76 km) W | Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County (RHV) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 12 | 71.93 miles (115.77 km) WNW | Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) | Livermore, California, United States | |
| 13 | 73.96 miles (119.02 km) WSW | Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI) | Watsonville, California, United States | |
| 14 | 74.75 miles (120.29 km) W | Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) | San Jose, California, United States | |
| 15 | 75.76 miles (121.93 km) SW | Salinas Municipal AirportSalinas Army Air Base (SNS) | Salinas, California, United States | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,311.72 miles (18,204.41 km) SE | Tôlanaro Airport (FTU) | Tôlanaro, Madagascar | |
| 2 | 11,301.64 miles (18,188.18 km) SSE | Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE) | Saint-Pierre, Réunion | |
| 3 | 11,273.49 miles (18,142.87 km) SSE | Roland Garros Airport (RUN) | St Denis, Réunion, France | |
| 4 | 11,260.93 miles (18,122.66 km) S | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) | Plaisance, Mauritius | |
| 5 | 11,205.02 miles (18,032.69 km) SE | Ampanihy Airport (AMP) | Ampanihy, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 11,196.39 miles (18,018.79 km) SSW | Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG) | Rodrigues Island, Mauritius | |
| 7 | 11,137.28 miles (17,923.67 km) SSE | Mananjary Airport (MNJ) | Mananjary, Madagascar | |
| 8 | 11,111.96 miles (17,882.92 km) SE | Fianarantsoa Airport (WFI) | Fianarantsoa, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 11,011.03 miles (17,720.49 km) SE | Manja Airport (MJA) | Manja, Menabe, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 11,008.37 miles (17,716.22 km) SE | Andavadoaka Airport (DVD) | Andavadoaka, Toliara province, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 10,993.21 miles (17,691.82 km) SE | Morombe Airport (MXM) | Morombe, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 10,972.89 miles (17,659.11 km) SSE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 10,963.56 miles (17,644.10 km) SSE | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 10,945.21 miles (17,614.56 km) SE | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 10,920.84 miles (17,575.35 km) SE | Belo sur Tsiribihina Airport (BMD) | Belo sur Tsiribihina, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 80.63 miles (129.76 km) N | Port Bergé Airport (WPB) | Port Bergé, Madagascar | |
| 2 | 103.24 miles (166.16 km) NE | Mandritsara Airport (WMA) | Mandritsara, Madagascar | |
| 3 | 112.46 miles (180.99 km) NW | Amborovy Airport (MJN) | Mahajanga, Madagascar | |
| 4 | 141.72 miles (228.08 km) S | Ivato International Airport (TNR) | Antananarivo, Madagascar | |
| 5 | 146.57 miles (235.88 km) WSW | Ambatomainty Airport (AMY) | Ambatomainty, Madagascar | |
| 6 | 146.82 miles (236.29 km) N | Analalava Airport (HVA) | Analalava, Madagascar | |
| 7 | 147.27 miles (237.02 km) E | Sainte Marie Airport (SMS) | Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar | |
| 8 | 150.07 miles (241.52 km) SE | Toamasino Airport (TMM) | Toamasina, Madagascar | |
| 9 | 156.08 miles (251.18 km) WNW | Soalala Airport (DWB) | Soalala, Madagascar | |
| 10 | 173.09 miles (278.55 km) SW | Tsiroanomandidy Airport (WTS) | Tsiroanomandidy, Madagascar | |
| 11 | 207.29 miles (333.59 km) W | Besalampy Airport (BPY) | Besalampy, Madagascar | |
| 12 | 208.90 miles (336.20 km) SW | Ankavandra Airport (JVA) | Ankavandra, Madagascar | |
| 13 | 216.57 miles (348.53 km) ENE | Antsirabato Airport (ANM) | Antalaha, Madagascar | |
| 14 | 222.39 miles (357.90 km) NNE | Ambanja Airport (IVA) | Ambanja, Madagascar | |
| 15 | 240.81 miles (387.55 km) SW | Miandrivazo Airport (ZVA) | Miandrivazo, Madagascar | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 11,031.74 miles (17,753.83 km) NW | Guerrero Negro Airport (GUB) | Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico | |
| 2 | 11,012.78 miles (17,723.30 km) NNW | Santa Cruz Island Airport (SZN) | Santa Barbara, California, United States | |
| 3 | 11,002.12 miles (17,706.15 km) NW | Ensenada Airport (ESE) | Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 4 | 10,996.48 miles (17,697.08 km) NNW | Lompoc Airport (LPC) | Lompoc, California, United States | |
| 5 | 10,995.79 miles (17,695.97 km) NNW | Vandenberg Air Force Base (VBG) | Lompoc, California, United States | |
| 6 | 10,995.07 miles (17,694.81 km) NW | Catalina AirportBuffalo Springs Airport (CIB) | Avalon, California, United States | |
| 7 | 10,989.79 miles (17,686.31 km) NNW | Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) | Santa Barbara, California, United States | |
| 8 | 10,987.29 miles (17,682.29 km) NNW | Santa Ynez Airport (SQA) | Santa Ynez, California, United States | |
| 9 | 10,986.69 miles (17,681.32 km) NW | Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach (NRS) | Imperial Beach, California, United States | |
| 10 | 10,984.23 miles (17,677.36 km) NW | NAS North Island (NZY) | San Diego, California, United States | |
| 11 | 10,982.74 miles (17,674.97 km) NNW | Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) | Santa Maria, California, United States | |
| 12 | 10,982.24 miles (17,674.16 km) NNW | Naval Air Station Point Mugu (NTD) | Point Mugu, California, United States | |
| 13 | 10,981.96 miles (17,673.71 km) NW | Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) | Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| 14 | 10,981.49 miles (17,672.95 km) NW | San Diego International Airport (SAN) | San Diego, California, United States | |
| 15 | 10,981.10 miles (17,672.33 km) WNW | Ciudad Constitución Airport (CUA) | Ciudad Constitución, Baja California Sur, Mexico | |