Multi-Engine Training at San Martin Airport (E16)
Home base for Cloud Nine Flight Services — Beechcraft instruction in the South County.
San Martin Airport (E16) is my home base — it's where I keep my Beechcraft Baron. It's an uncongested, non-towered South County field that makes an excellent training environment: you spend your time flying the airplane, not waiting in line behind a wall of traffic.
My multi-engine trainer, N3724H (a 1979 Beechcraft Duchess), is based at Reid-Hillview (RHV). If E16 is more convenient for you, there are two good options: I can bring the Duchess down to meet you at San Martin, or — if you're based at E16 — I can provide instruction in your own aircraft.
- Identifier
- E16
- Field elevation
- 284 ft MSL
- Runway
- 14/32 · 3,095 ft
- CTAF
- 122.7
- AWOS-3P
- 118.350
- Fuel
- Jet A · UL94
Flying Out of E16
Runway & Field Layout
- Runway
- 14/32 · 3,095 × 75 ft asphalt
- PAPI
- 2-light, steep 4.0° (both ends)
- Traffic pattern
- RWY 14 left · RWY 32 right
- Lighting
- MIRL on CTAF; PAPIs continuous
- Obstructions
- 41 ft pole off 14 · 32 ft tree off 32
At ~3,095 ft, E16 rewards solid short-field technique in a light twin — and that steep 4.0° glide path is worth briefing.
Airspace & Traffic
- CTAF / UNICOM
- 122.7
- NorCal Approach
- 124.525
- NorCal Departure
- 120.1
- ARTCC
- Oakland Center
- Clearance delivery
- NorCal · 916-361-3748
Non-towered, south of the SJC Class C and ~18 nm SE of RHV — expect valley transition traffic. Approaching aircraft fly downwind legs east of US-101.
Weather Resources
- On-field AWOS-3P
- 118.350 · 408-918-7724
- KWVI Watsonville ASOS
- 132.275
- KCVH Hollister AWOS-3
- 120.425
As an inland South County field, conditions here can differ noticeably from the coast — always worth a fresh check before you launch.
Practice Areas & Routes
- KWVI Watsonville
- 13 nm SW
- KCVH Hollister
- 14 nm SE
- KSNS Salinas
- 25 nm S
- Instrument approach
- RNAV (GPS) RWY 32
Open South County terrain gives room for airwork; nearby fields make natural cross-country and diversion targets. Note the special alternate and take-off minimums on the RNAV 32.
Noise Abatement
- No crosswind turns below 1,300 ft MSL
- Departures climb to 2,000 ft MSL
- Downwind legs flown east of the freeway
San Martin is noise-sensitive. I brief and fly these on every flight, and I expect students to do the same.
Fuel & Services
- Fuel
- Jet A · UL94
- 100LL
- Unavailable since Jan 1, 2022
- Parking
- Hangars & tiedowns
- Service
- Major airframe & powerplant
- Oxygen
- Bottled (high / low)
- Attendance
- Wed–Thu 1000–1700
Train at San Martin Airport
Based at E16 or want to meet there? Let's talk about your goals — whether that's a multi-engine add-on in the Duchess or instruction in your own aircraft.
Schedule a Discovery Flight