Multi-Engine Training at Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV)
Home of N3724H — towered operations and Beechcraft Duchess instruction in San Jose.
Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) is a towered field in the heart of San Jose and the home of my multi-engine trainer, N3724H (a 1979 Beechcraft Duchess). It's where most of my multi-engine instruction happens — and the towered environment, ATIS, and two parallel runways give students valuable experience operating in a busier setting.
RHV is convenient for pilots in San Jose, the Peninsula, and the East Valley. Prefer the quieter South County? I'm also based at San Martin (E16) and can arrange training there as well.
- Identifier
- RHV
- Field elevation
- 135 ft MSL
- Tower
- 0700–2200
- ATIS
- 125.2
- Runways
- Two parallel · 3,100 ft
- Fuel
- Jet A · G100 · UL94
Flying Out of RHV
Runways & Field Layout
- RWY 13L/31R
- 3,100 × 75 ft asphalt (lit)
- RWY 13R/31L
- 3,099 × 75 ft asphalt (unlit)
- PAPI
- 4-light, 4.0° glide path
- Displaced thresholds
- ~410–499 ft
- Traffic pattern
- 13L/31L left · 13R/31R right
- Lighting
- MIRL + REIL on 13L/31R
Two parallel runways with displaced thresholds that meaningfully cut available landing distance — worth briefing in a twin. 13R/31L is unlit (day use), and 31R is the calm-wind runway when the tower is closed. Watch for trees, a road, and a fence off the ends.
Tower, Airspace & Frequencies
- ATIS
- 125.2
- Tower (13L/31R)
- 119.8
- Tower (13R/31L)
- 126.1
- Ground
- 121.65
- UNICOM
- 122.95
- NorCal Approach
- 120.1 · 133.95 · 134.5
- NorCal Departure
- 121.3
Class D when the tower is active (0700–2200); CTAF 119.8 when it’s closed, with 31R as the calm-wind runway and clearance delivery via NorCal (916-361-3748). Operate transponders with Mode C + ADS-B on all airport surfaces; 121.5 is not available at the tower. Don’t mistake the street lights northeast of and parallel to the runways for runway lights.
Weather Resources
- On-field ATIS
- 125.2
- KSJC ASOS
- 408-969-0838
- KNUQ AWOS-3PT
- 124.175
- E16 AWOS-3P
- 118.350
As a towered field, pull the ATIS (125.2) before calling Ground or Tower. SJC is only 5 nm west, so its weather is a useful cross-check.
Practice Areas & Procedures
- KSJC San Jose
- 5 nm W
- KNUQ Moffett
- 12 nm NW
- KPAO Palo Alto
- 16 nm NW
- E16 San Martin
- 18 nm SE
- KLVK Livermore
- 22 nm N
- Instrument approaches
- RNAV (GPS) 13L · Y/Z 31R
Note an RHV-specific training rule — no simulated emergencies in the airport traffic area — so we take engine-out and emergency practice to the practice areas and quieter fields nearby. Special take-off minimums / departure procedures apply.
Noise Abatement
- No turns below 500 ft AGL when leaving the pattern — except RWY 31R departures
- On RWY 31R departure, make a slight right turn as soon as practicable to avoid the school ½ mile off the departure end
- No touch-and-go landings 2100–0700
- No pure-jet or surplus-military aircraft (except FAR 36 noise-compliant)
RHV sits in a dense residential area, so these are taken seriously. Be alert, too, for birds on and around the airport.
Fuel & Services
- Fuel
- Jet A · G100 · UL94
- 100LL
- Unavailable
- Parking
- Hangars & tiedowns
- Service
- Major airframe & powerplant
- Oxygen
- Bottled & bulk (low)
Train at Reid-Hillview Airport
Ready to start your multi-engine rating in the Beechcraft Duchess at RHV? Let's talk about your goals and get you on the schedule.
Schedule a Discovery Flight