Chatham Airport: Flights, Dining, And Airport Services In Cape Cod
Chatham Airport is the local name many people use for Chatham Municipal Airport, a public-use airport owned by the Town of Chatham. The airport is in Chatham Airport MA at 240 George Ryder Road, about two miles northwest of downtown Chatham. It is a general aviation facility on Cape Cod’s southern shore, and it uses the codes ICAO: KCQX and FAA LID: CQX.
About Chatham Airport, MA
Chatham Airport is a public-use general aviation airport owned by the Town of Chatham, located at 240 George Ryder Road. It sits on about 105 acres and serves as a key local airfield on Cape Cod’s southern shore. The airport is identified as CQX (FAA LID) and KCQX (ICAO), which are the codes you’ll see in pilot tools and airport directories.
The airfield has one paved runway, Runway 6/24. It measures 3,001 feet by 100 feet and supports the airport’s day-to-day general aviation activity. This setup is part of what makes Chatham Airport practical for private arrivals, training flights, and seasonal travel to Chatham without the pace or footprint of a commercial airline terminal.
What’s On Site At Chatham Municipal Airport
Chatham Airport is more than a runway. It functions as a working general aviation center with services that matter to both transient pilots and local operators. On the field, the airport lists a full-service FBO presence through Cape Cod Flying Circus and aircraft support via Stick ’n Rudder Aero Maintenance, which is commonly referenced for general aviation maintenance needs.
For visitors who are not flying, the airport is also known for its on-site food options. Hangar B Eatery operates at the airport and serves breakfast and lunch, which is why “chatham airport restaurant” and “chatham airport breakfast” searches often lead here. B-Side Coffee Company is also associated with the airport’s main building, giving locals and travelers a simple reason to stop in, even if they are staying on the ground.
Where Chatham Municipal Airport Is Located And How To Get There
Chatham, Massachusetts, airport searches often lead here because the airport is close to town and easy to reach. The Town of Chatham describes the airport as being about two miles from downtown Chatham and located in a coastal community on Cape Cod’s southern shore.
For visitors, that distance matters more than the aviation codes. It means you can land, grab breakfast, and still be in town quickly. It also means locals can treat the airport like a short drive instead of a full-day trip.
Runway And Airfield Overview
Chatham Airport has one paved runway, Runway 6/24. Aviation references describe it as an asphalt runway measuring 3,001 feet by 100 feet and in good condition.
The airport is non-towered, which means pilots coordinate by radio rather than with a control tower. Public airport listings also note published communications and field lighting details that matter for operations.
FBO, Fuel, And Pilot Services At Chatham Airport
If you fly in, your first stop is usually the fixed-base operator (FBO). Airport listings identify Cape Cod Flying Circus as the FBO at CQX.
The Town of Chatham also frames the airport as a local general aviation facility within the national airport system. That fits the way most pilots use it, which is for private travel, seasonal visits, and regional access rather than airline connections.
Maintenance And Aircraft Support
Chatham Airport is also known for on-field maintenance options. Airport directories list Stick ’n Rudder Aero Maintenance, Inc. as an aviation business located on the airport.
Local business listings for the Chatham area describe Stick ’n Rudder Aero Maintenance as providing repair, inspection, and modification services for general aviation aircraft.
Training, Scenic Flights, And Tours
Many people first experience Chatham Airport through scenic flights. The airport is home to air tour and instruction activities that are marketed directly to visitors who want a “Cape Cod from above” view.
The Stick’n Rudder site describes both sightseeing tours and flight instruction from Chatham Airport.
Chatham-area business listings also describe Cape Aerial Tours as providing aerial excursions around Cape Cod for sightseeing and photography.
Chatham Airport Flights: What To Expect
People search for Chatham Airport flights for different reasons. Some want to know if they can fly in on a private plane. Others want to know if they can book a tour. A smaller group is looking for commercial airline service.
In the NPIAS system, the Town of Chatham describes CQX as a non-primary, local, general aviation airport, and it notes the category is associated with airports that do not have scheduled service or have very limited scheduled boardings.
That means “flights” at CQX are mainly general aviation arrivals and departures, plus services like air tours, training, and some air taxi activity. Older FAA-referenced summaries also describe a small share of air taxi and minimal military activity in a historical operations snapshot.
Airport Operations And Activity Levels
Airport activity changes by season on Cape Cod. Chatham’s airport also has a long-standing mix of local flying and visiting aircraft. A widely cited historical FAA summary for the year ending December 31, 2015 reported an average of 55 aircraft operations per day, with most activity in general aviation and a smaller share in air taxi.
For a more recent view, the Town of Chatham has published charts showing monthly operations totals for recent years. One town chart labeled “Gard Data 2022–2025 Ops per Month” shows annual totals of 22,573 operations in 2022, 23,263 in 2023, and 19,166 in 2024, and it notes that each takeoff or landing counts as one operation.
These numbers help set expectations. Chatham Airport is active enough to feel like a real working airfield, especially in busier months. It is still a general aviation airport, not a high-volume airline terminal.
Dining At The Airport: Chatham Airport Restaurant Overview
The Chatham Airport restaurant is one of the airport’s biggest surprises for first-time visitors. Hangar B Eatery is located at the airport and states it is open for breakfast and lunch at Chatham Municipal Airport.
If your goal is chatham airport breakfast, Hangar B is the direct answer. The restaurant is small, and its appeal is the setting as much as the menu, because you can watch aircraft movements while you eat.
The airport also has coffee service associated with B-Side Coffee Company. A local magazine profile describes B-Side Coffee Company as a venture connected to the success of Hangar B and located at Chatham Municipal Airport.
What Makes The Airport A Cape Cod Landmark
Chatham Airport matters because it supports the Cape Cod pattern of short-distance travel and seasonal demand. It gives pilots a point of access close to town without needing to route through a larger terminal.
It also matters because it hosts businesses that are part of the community’s daily life, not just aviation life. When locals meet friends for breakfast at the airport, the airfield becomes a public-facing place.
That visibility is unusual for smaller airports. Many general aviation fields feel closed off to non-pilots. Chatham’s on-site dining and tours make it easier for non-pilots to understand why the airport exists and how it is used.
What Chatham Airport Is Best Used For
Chatham Airport is best understood as a general aviation airport that supports private flying, training, tours, and local aviation services rather than a large commercial airline schedule. That distinction helps visitors set expectations before they plan a trip around the airfield.
For Cape Cod travelers, the airport’s value is its proximity to downtown Chatham. It sits about two miles northwest of town, which makes it practical for quick arrivals, day trips, and short visits where time matters. It is also a convenient place to start a “half-day Chatham” plan because you can pair the airport with downtown shops and beaches without a long drive in between.
How To Plan A Smooth Visit To Chatham Airport
A smooth first visit comes down to knowing what you want from the airport. If you are coming for dining, treat it like a local daytime stop. The restaurant and coffee options are part of the airport’s public-facing draw, and they make the property feel accessible even if you are not flying.
If you are flying in, plan your visit around the services you need on arrival. Chatham Municipal Airport is commonly referenced with the identifiers CQX and KCQX, which help with trip planning and navigation. Once on the ground, the airport’s on-field services are designed around general aviation needs, which makes the airport a functional access point for Chatham and the lower Cape.
Planning Your Visit To Chatham Airport (Pilot And Non-Pilot)
If you are a pilot, treat CQX like a working local field with published procedures and services. Airport directories provide the current operational framework, including runway details, communications, and ownership information.
If you are visiting by car, the simplest plan is to go for breakfast or lunch, and be aware that you are next to an active runway environment. Hangar B’s own site makes clear it operates at the airport and serves daytime meals. (Hangar B)
If you want a scenic flight, confirm what is offered and what the experience includes. Tour operators at Chatham Airport describe specific tour options and also promote flight instruction from the same location. (chathamairport.com)
Federal Programs And Airport Funding Context
Chatham Airport is part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). The FAA describes the NPIAS as the plan that identifies public-use airports in the national system and the types of development eligible for federal funding under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). (FAA)
The Town of Chatham explicitly states that inclusion in the NPIAS means CQX is eligible to receive federal grants through the AIP. (chatham-ma.gov)
For readers, the takeaway is practical. Airports like CQX can qualify for funding tied to safety, planning, and infrastructure, but they also operate within federal rules that shape what can be built and how the airport must be managed. (FAA)
Safety, Noise, And Community Considerations
Small airports sit close to neighborhoods, especially on Cape Cod, where land is limited. Airport listings for CQX include remarks that highlight common issues like wildlife on or near the field and noise-abatement guidance. (AirNav)
For non-pilots, the core point is simple. Respect the boundaries between public areas and airfield operations. Treat the runway and ramp as active work zones, not sightseeing walkways.
For pilots, the community relationship is part of the operating environment. Noise-abatement guidance and local expectations often shape traffic patterns and behavior, even when the runway is physically capable of more.
Chatham Airport Codes, Naming, And What To Search
Many people search “Chatham Airport” without realizing the official name is Chatham Municipal Airport. Using both names in your planning reduces confusion, especially when you are checking airport listings or maps.
The airport is also widely referenced by its identifiers FAA LID: CQX and ICAO: KCQX. Those codes matter because they help you confirm you’re looking at the correct airport in aviation tools and travel planning, especially in a region where multiple Cape Cod airports can appear in search results.