Nonstop flight route between Polokwane, South Africa and Atwater, California, United States:
Departure Airport:
(23°50'43"S by 29°27'30"E)
Arrival Airport:
(37°22'50"N by 120°34'5"W)
Distance from PTG to MER:
10,436.39 miles (16,795.70 km)
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Jump to:
- About this route
- PTG Airport Information
- MER Airport Information
- Facts about PTG
- Facts about MER
- Map of Nearest Airports to PTG
- List of Nearest Airports to PTG
- Map of Furthest Airports from PTG
- List of Furthest Airports from PTG
- Map of Nearest Airports to MER
- List of Nearest Airports to MER
- Map of Furthest Airports from MER
- List of Furthest Airports from MER
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Polokwane International Airport (PTG), Polokwane, South Africa and Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,436 miles (or 16,796 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 Polokwane International Airport and Castle 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 Polokwane International Airport and Castle Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | PTG / FAPP |
| Airport Names: |
|
| Location: | Polokwane, South Africa |
| GPS Coordinates: | 23°50'43"S by 29°27'30"E |
| Area Served: | Polokwane (Pietersburg), South Africa |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 4076 feet (1,242 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from PTG |
| More Information: | PTG Maps & Info |
Arrival 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 |
Facts about Polokwane International Airport (PTG):
- Because of Polokwane International Airport's high elevation of 4,076 feet, planes must typically fly at a faster airspeed in order to takeoff or land at PTG. Combined with a high temperature, this could make PTG a "Hot & High" airport, where the air density is lower than it would otherwise be at sea level.
- Polokwane International Airport (PTG) has 2 runways.
- The furthest airport from Polokwane International Airport (PTG) is Hilo International Airport (ITO), which is nearly antipodal to Polokwane International Airport (meaning Polokwane International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Hilo International Airport), and is located 12,031 miles (19,362 kilometers) away in Hilo, Hawaii, United States.
- The closest airport to Polokwane International Airport (PTG) is Air Force Base Hoedspruit (HDS), which is located 106 miles (171 kilometers) ESE of PTG.
- In addition to being known as "Polokwane International Airport", another name for PTG is "Gateway International Airport".
Facts about Castle Airport (MER):
- The furthest airport from Castle Airport (MER) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 11,312 miles (18,204 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
- Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
- 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.
- It serves one school, Sierra Academy of Aeronautics, which specializes in training foreign pilots, from the People's Republic of China.
- The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of 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.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 106.38 miles (171.20 km) ESE | Air Force Base Hoedspruit (HDS) | Hoedspruit, South Africa |     |
| 2 | 107.35 miles (172.77 km) E | Hendrik Van Eck Airport (PHW) | Phalaborwa, South Africa | |
| 3 | 147.00 miles (236.58 km) SSW | Wonderboom Airport (PRY) | Pretoria, South Africa | |
| 4 | 147.53 miles (237.43 km) ESE | Mala Mala Airport (AAM) | Mala Mala, South Africa | |
| 5 | 148.31 miles (238.67 km) SE | Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) | Nelspruit, South Africa | |
| 6 | 169.44 miles (272.69 km) SSW | Grand Central Airport (GCJ) | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| 7 | 173.62 miles (279.41 km) SSW | Lanseria International Airport (HLA) | Lanseria, South Africa | |
| 8 | 175.74 miles (282.82 km) SSW | O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| 9 | 176.60 miles (284.21 km) SW | Pilanesberg International Airport (NTY) | Pilanesberg, South Africa | |
| 10 | 184.75 miles (297.32 km) SSW | Rand Airport (QRA) | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| 11 | 195.72 miles (314.98 km) SSW | Heidelberg Airport (HDB) | Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | |
| 12 | 218.49 miles (351.63 km) SSE | Matsapha Airport (MTS) | Manzini, Swaziland | |
| 13 | 224.67 miles (361.56 km) NW | Francistown International Airport/Francistown Air Base (FRW) | Francistown, Botswana | |
| 14 | 228.43 miles (367.63 km) WSW | Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) | Gaborone, Botswana | |
| 15 | 238.24 miles (383.40 km) NE | Buffalo Range Airport (BFO) | Chiredzi, Zimbabwe | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,030.86 miles (19,361.74 km) NE | Hilo International Airport (ITO) | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | |
| 2 | 12,028.49 miles (19,357.93 km) ENE | Hana Airport (HNM) | Hana, Hawaii, United States | |
| 3 | 12,015.95 miles (19,337.74 km) NE | Upolu Airport (UPP) | Hawi, Hawaii, United States | |
| 4 | 12,014.37 miles (19,335.21 km) NE | Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) | Kamuela, Hawaii, United States | |
| 5 | 12,009.05 miles (19,326.64 km) ENE | Kahului Airport (OGG) | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | |
| 6 | 12,004.73 miles (19,319.70 km) NE | Pōhakuloa Training Area (BSF) | Camp Pohakuloa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 7 | 11,997.48 miles (19,308.03 km) ENE | Kapalua Airport (JHM) | Lahaina, Hawaii, United States | |
| 8 | 11,987.83 miles (19,292.49 km) ENE | Kalaupapa Airport (LUP) | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 9 | 11,983.91 miles (19,286.19 km) NE | Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) | Kailua / Kona, Hawaii, United States | |
| 10 | 11,978.96 miles (19,278.21 km) ENE | Molokai Airport (MKK) | Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States | |
| 11 | 11,975.85 miles (19,273.21 km) ENE | Lanai Airport (LNY) | Lanai City, Hawaii, United States | |
| 12 | 11,934.69 miles (19,206.98 km) ENE | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 13 | 11,934.69 miles (19,206.98 km) ENE | Hickam Field (HIK) | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| 14 | 11,931.76 miles (19,202.27 km) ENE | Wheeler AAF (HHI) | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | |
| 15 | 11,925.56 miles (19,192.28 km) ENE | Kalaeloa Airport (NAX) | Kapolei, Hawaii, United States | |
| 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 | |