Nonstop flight route between Atwater, California, United States and Houston, Texas, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California, United States and David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), Houston, Texas, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 1,518 miles (or 2,444 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 relatively short distance between Castle Airport and David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, the route shown on this map most likely still appears to be a straight line.

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

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.
• 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.
• Castle Airport (MER) currently has only 1 runway.
• Castle Airport covers an area of 1,360 acres which contains one runway with an 11,802 x 150 ft asphalt and concrete pavement.
• The closest airport to Castle Airport (MER) is Merced Regional Airport (MCE), which is located only 7 miles (12 kilometers) SSE of MER.
• The EPA currently has this base listed on their database due to the bulk wastes such as solvents, oils, fuels, and sludges which were disposed in pits at landfills around the base until 1977.
• 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.
• 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.

Facts about David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH):

• David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) has 3 runways.
• The furthest airport from David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) is Cocos (Keeling) Island Airport (CCK), which is located 10,969 miles (17,653 kilometers) away in Cocos Islands, Australia.
• In 2009 a fire occurred at the airport.
• The airport also includes numerous flight schools, including Silver State Helicopters, American Flyers, ATP Flight School and United Flight Systems.
• The Airport started when Charles Hooks built a runway for his own personal use.
• Because of David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport's relatively low elevation of 152 feet, planes can take off or land at David Wayne Hooks Memorial 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.
• On June 26, 2010, another fire occurred at the airport, destroying another large hangar.
• The closest airport to David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH) is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which is located only 14 miles (22 kilometers) ESE of DWH.
• The airport was also previously a local favorite for its diverse mix of aircraft and openness.
• Until the 1980s, the airport was run and maintained by Hooks, and his wife Irma.