API v1.3.6

Airports API

Retrieve detailed airport information including runways, NOTAMs, and operational data for performance calculations.

Overview

The Airports API provides comprehensive airport data required for performance calculations. Airport data is retrieved based on the selected aircraft profile, as different aircraft types have different airport databases with specific obstacle clearance procedures and engine failure procedures.

Aircraft-Specific Airport Data

Airport availability depends on the aircraft type, not the user's subscription. This is because obstacles, engine failure procedures, and climb gradients may differ between aircraft types. Use the availableAirport array from the aircraft response to determine which airports can be queried for a specific aircraft.

Data Access Levels

The Airports API provides different levels of data based on your subscription tier. The amount of airport data returned depends on your access level.

Level	Description	Included Data
SIMPLE	Basic airport and runway data	Core airport info, runway dimensions, basic procedures, NOTAM status
MEDIUM	Extended operational data	All SIMPLE data plus: PCN, surface type, MACG, GA acceleration altitude, aircraft lineup data, database changelog
FULL	Complete database access	All MEDIUM data plus: obstacle data, detailed terrain analysis (Reserved for VPT internal projects)

Obstacle Data Restrictions

Important: Obstacle details are not provided to third-party integrations. Obstacles are used internally during performance calculations but will not be included in the API response. This data is reserved exclusively for Virtual Performance Tool's own applications.

Get Airport

POST /api

Retrieves detailed airport information for performance calculations.

Request Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`query`	`string`	Required	Must be `"airport"`
`data.aircraft`	`string`	Required	Aircraft profile filename (from `allowedAircrafts`)
`data.userRegistration`	`string\|null`	Required	User registration value (or `null`)
`data.virtualAirline`	`string\|null`	Required	Virtual airline value (or `null`)
`data.icao`	`string`	Required	Airport ICAO code (e.g., `"EBBR"`)

Request Body

JSON

{
  "query": "airport",
  "data": {
    "aircraft": "320-212-CFM56-5A3.json",
    "userRegistration": null,
    "virtualAirline": null,
    "icao": "EBBR"
  }
}

cURL Example

cURL

curl -X POST "https://api.virtualperformancetool.com/api" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_JWT_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Version: 1.3.6" \
  -d '{
    "query": "airport",
    "data": {
      "aircraft": "320-212-CFM56-5A3.json",
      "userRegistration": null,
      "virtualAirline": null,
      "icao": "EBBR"
    }
  }'

Response (SIMPLE Access)

Basic airport data without extended operational details:

JSON - SIMPLE Response

{
  "apiVersion": "1.3.6",
  "airport": {
    "icao": "EBBR",
    "iata": "BRU",
    "name": "BRUSSELS NATIONAL",
    "country": "BELGIUM",
    "altitude": "175",
    "procedure": "PANS-OPS",
    "longestRunwayLength": "11935",
    "city": "BRUSSELS",
    "lat": 50.902,
    "lon": 4.499,
    "latDeg": "N50°54'7\"",
    "lonDeg": "E4°29'56\"",
    "databaseDate": "18/09/2024 16:11:04",
    "notamMonitored": true,
    "databaseLastCheck": "1970-01-01 00:00:00",
    "notam": null,
    "availableRunwaysTakeoff": [
      {
        "runway": "07L",
        "rwyQfu": "64",
        "tora": "11935",
        "lda": "10990",
        "slopeTora": "-0.21",
        "brElev": "124",
        "efp": "Maintain 064° to 25 NM and HOLD...",
        "efpLong": "STD.",
        "comments": "T/O FROM RWY HEAD",
        "width": 147.6378,
        "isClosed": false,
        "closedNotam": null,
        "availableIntx": [
          {
            "runway": "07LI1",
            "taxi": "A6",
            "tora": "8677",
            "comments": "T/O FROM \"A6\"**T/O SHIFT 993M"
          }
          // ... additional intersections
        ]
      },
      {
        "runway": "25R",
        "rwyQfu": "244",
        "tora": "11935",
        "lda": "10954",
        "slopeTora": "0.21",
        "brElev": "99",
        "efp": "Maintain 244° to 25 NM and HOLD...",
        "efpLong": "STD.",
        "isClosed": false,
        "availableIntx": [ /* ... */ ]
      }
      // ... additional runways (01, 07R, 19, 25L)
    ],
    "availableRunwaysLanding": [
      // Similar structure to takeoff runways
    ]
  }
}

Response (MEDIUM Access)

Extended data including PCN, surface type, and changelog:

JSON - MEDIUM Response

{
  "apiVersion": "1.3.6",
  "airport": {
    "icao": "EBBR",
    "iata": "BRU",
    "name": "BRUSSELS NATIONAL",
    "country": "BELGIUM",
    "altitude": "175",
    "procedure": "PANS-OPS",
    // ... same core fields as SIMPLE ...
    "availableRunwaysTakeoff": [
      {
        "runway": "07L",
        "rwyQfu": "64",
        "tora": "11935",
        "lda": "10990",
        "slopeTora": "-0.21",
        "slopeAsda": "-0.21",
        "slopeLda": "-0.20",
        "brElev": "124",
        "efp": "Maintain 064° to 25 NM and HOLD...",
        "efpLong": "STD.",
        "comments": "T/O FROM RWY HEAD",
        "aircraftLineup": "'737-800' 035.40    086.60  'F'",
        "gaAccAlt": "1500",
        "width": 147.6378,
        "pcn": "80/F/A/W/T",
        "surface": "0.0",
        "surfaceText": "Hard",
        "macg": [
          { "gradient": 2.5, "label": "" }
        ],
        "isClosed": false,
        "closedNotam": null,
        "availableIntx": [
          {
            "runway": "07LI1",
            "taxi": "A6",
            "tora": "8677",
            "slopeTora": "-0.22",
            "pcn": "80/F/A/W/T",
            "surfaceText": "Hard",
            "macg": [ { "gradient": 2.5, "label": "" } ]
            // ... additional fields
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "runway": "25R",
        "rwyQfu": "244",
        "tora": "11935",
        "pcn": "80/F/A/W/T",
        "surfaceText": "Hard",
        "macg": [ { "gradient": 2.5, "label": "" } ],
        "availableIntx": [ /* ... */ ]
      }
      // ... additional runways
    ],
    "availableRunwaysLanding": [ /* ... */ ],
    "changelog": {
      "airportChanged": "BRU (EBBR) - BRUSSELS NATIONAL",
      "airportDate": "2024-11-05 20:09:44",
      "runwayChanged": [
        { "id": "RUNWAY 07L", "comment": "PCN changed (now PCN/80/F/A/W/T)" },
        { "id": "RUNWAY 25R", "comment": "PCN changed (now PCN/80/F/A/W/T)" }
        // ... additional changes
      ]
    }
  }
}

MEDIUM vs SIMPLE Differences

MEDIUM access adds: pcn, surface, surfaceText, macg (Minimum Aircraft Climb Gradient), gaAccAlt (Go-Around Acceleration Altitude), aircraftLineup, and the changelog section.

Airport Info (Lightweight)

POST /api

Returns a small set of public airport metadata for a given ICAO code — ICAO, IATA, name, country, geographic coordinates, and field elevation. This is a lightweight read-only endpoint intended for autocomplete dropdowns, map markers, briefing tooltips, and any UI that does not need the full performance payload returned by airport.

Data is sourced from the B7378 aircraft database (the broadest airport coverage VPT maintains). If an ICAO code is not present in B7378 the endpoint returns AIRPORT_NOT_FOUND.

Authentication

JWT required. Any airport_data developer key level (SIMPLE / MEDIUM / FULL) is sufficient.

Request Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`query`	`string`	Required	Must be `"airportInfo"`
`data.icao`	`string`	Required	Airport ICAO code, 3–4 alphanumeric characters (e.g. `"EBBR"`)

Request Body

JSON

{
  "query": "airportInfo",
  "data": { "icao": "EBBR" }
}

cURL Example

SHELL

curl -X POST "https://api.virtualperformancetool.com/api/" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_JWT" \
  -d '{
    "query": "airportInfo",
    "data": { "icao": "EBBR" },
    "api_key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "dev_key": "YOUR_DEV_KEY",
    "api_version": "1.3.6"
  }'

Response Fields

Field	Type	Description
`airport.icao`	`string`	ICAO code (uppercase)
`airport.iata`	`string\|null`	IATA code, or `null` if unassigned
`airport.name`	`string`	Airport name
`airport.country`	`string\|null`	Country name, or `null` when unknown
`airport.coordinates.latitude`	`number\|null`	Decimal degrees (WGS-84)
`airport.coordinates.longitude`	`number\|null`	Decimal degrees (WGS-84)
`airport.elevation`	`integer\|null`	Field elevation in feet (MSL)

Success Response

JSON

{
  "success": true,
  "airport": {
    "icao": "EBBR",
    "iata": "BRU",
    "name": "BRUSSELS NATIONAL",
    "country": "BELGIUM",
    "coordinates": {
      "latitude": 50.9014,
      "longitude": 4.4844
    },
    "elevation": 184
  }
}

Error Codes

AUTH_REQUIRED — missing or invalid JWT (HTTP 401)
INVALID_ICAO — ICAO is missing or not 3–4 alphanumeric characters (HTTP 400)
AIRPORT_NOT_FOUND — the ICAO is not present in the B7378 database (HTTP 404)

Response Sections

The airport response contains several sections providing detailed airport and runway information.

Airport Information

General airport data and location information.

Field	Type	Description
`icao`	`string`	ICAO airport code
`iata`	`string`	IATA airport code
`name`	`string`	Airport name
`country`	`string`	Country name
`city`	`string`	City name
`altitude`	`string`	Airport elevation in feet
`procedure`	`string`	Approach procedure type (e.g., `"PANS-OPS"`)
`lat`	`number`	Latitude in decimal degrees
`lon`	`number`	Longitude in decimal degrees
`latDeg`	`string`	Latitude in degrees/minutes/seconds format (e.g., `"N50°54'7\""`)
`lonDeg`	`string`	Longitude in degrees/minutes/seconds format (e.g., `"E4°29'56\""`)
`longestRunwayLength`	`string`	Length of the longest runway in feet
`databaseDate`	`string`	Database version date
`databaseLastCheck`	`string`	Last database update check (UTC)
`notamMonitored`	`boolean`	Whether NOTAMs are actively monitored for this airport
`notam`	`object\|null`	Requires developer key + user subscription access. Categorized NOTAMs object containing `international`, `military`, and `obstacles` arrays. See NOTAM Object for structure.

Available Runways - Takeoff

The availableRunwaysTakeoff array contains runways available for takeoff operations.

Core Fields (SIMPLE + MEDIUM)

Field	Type	Description
`runway`	`string`	Required for API calculations. Runway identifier with intersection suffix (e.g., `"07L"`, `"07LI1"`). Send this value to the Performance API.
`rwyId`	`string`	Base runway identifier for display purposes (e.g., `"07L"`)
`runwayDisplay`	`string`	Formatted display name for the runway
`rwyQfu`	`string`	Runway magnetic heading
`taxi`	`string`	Taxiway intersection name (empty for full runway)
`tora`	`string`	Takeoff Run Available (feet)
`lda`	`string`	Landing Distance Available (feet)
`clw`	`string`	Clearway (feet)
`stw`	`string`	Stopway (feet)
`slopeTora`	`string`	Average runway slope for TORA (%)
`slopeAsda`	`string`	Average runway slope for ASDA (%)
`slopeLda`	`string`	Average runway slope for LDA (%)
`brElev`	`string`	Brake release elevation (feet)
`width`	`number`	Runway width (feet)
`efp`	`string`	Engine Failure Procedure (computed with user preferences)
`efpLong`	`string`	Engine Failure Procedure (raw code, e.g., `"STD."`)
`comments`	`string`	Runway comments and restrictions
`icao`	`string`	Required for API calculations. Airport ICAO code to send to the Performance API.
`isClosed`	`boolean`	Whether runway is closed (from NOTAM)
`closedNotam`	`object\|null`	NOTAM closure details if runway is closed (see closedNotam structure below)
`closedNotamFull`	`string\|null`	Full formatted NOTAM text if runway is closed
`availableIntx`	`array`	Available intersection departures (same structure)

Additional Fields (MEDIUM only)

Field	Type	Description
`aircraftLineup`	`string`	Aircraft lineup position data (Unknown)
`gaAccAlt`	`string`	Go-Around Acceleration Altitude (feet)
`pcn`	`string`	Pavement Classification Number (e.g., `"80/F/A/W/T"`)
`surface`	`string`	Surface type code
`surfaceText`	`string`	Surface type description (e.g., `"Hard"`)
`macg`	`array`	Minimum Aircraft Climb Gradient requirements

MACG Object

Field	Type	Description
`gradient`	`number`	Required climb gradient (%)
`label`	`string`	Gradient condition or label

closedNotam Object

When isClosed is true, the closedNotam object contains NOTAM closure details:

Field	Type	Description
`id`	`string`	Internal NOTAM identifier
`icao`	`string`	Airport ICAO code
`runway`	`string`	Affected runway designator
`runwayOpp`	`string`	Opposite runway designator
`notamId`	`string`	Official NOTAM reference number (e.g., `"A0290/26"`)
`notamText`	`string`	Short NOTAM text (e.g., `"RWY 02/20 CLSD. AVBL PPR 10MIN"`)
`notamFormattedText`	`string`	Full formatted NOTAM text in ICAO format
`periodFrom`	`string`	NOTAM validity start (UTC datetime)
`periodTo`	`string`	NOTAM validity end (UTC datetime)
`startTime`	`string`	Daily start time (HH:mm:ss)
`endTime`	`string`	Daily end time (HH:mm:ss)
`daily`	`string`	Daily recurrence flag (`"1"` = daily pattern)
`weekDays`	`string`	Active days of week (e.g., `"SUN"`, `"MON,TUE"`)
`used`	`string`	Internal usage counter

Available Runways - Landing

The availableRunwaysLanding array contains runways available for landing operations. The structure is identical to availableRunwaysTakeoff with the same fields.

Same Structure as Takeoff

Landing runways contain the same fields as takeoff runways. The primary difference is contextual: lda is the relevant distance for landing operations.

NOTAM Object

The notam object contains categorized NOTAMs for the airport. This field is only available if the developer key and user subscription grant NOTAM access.

NOTAM Access Required

The notam field is only returned when both your developer key and the user's subscription include NOTAM access. If not authorized, this field will be null.

NOTAM Categories

Category	Type	Description
`international`	`array`	General international NOTAMs (aerodrome, taxiway, runway, approach, etc.)
`military`	`array`	Military NOTAMs including US DOD procedural NOTAMs
`obstacles`	`array`	Obstacle-related NOTAMs (cranes, temporary structures, etc.)

NOTAM Object Structure

Each NOTAM in the category arrays contains the following fields:

Field	Type	Description
`notamNumber`	`string`	Official NOTAM reference number (e.g., `"A0290/26"`)
`icaoLocation`	`string`	ICAO location code for this NOTAM
`type`	`string`	NOTAM type code: `"N"` (New), `"R"` (Replaced), `"C"` (Canceled)
`typeExplanation`	`string`	Human-readable type: `"New"`, `"Replaced"`, `"Canceled"`
`notamText`	`string`	Short NOTAM text content
`notamFormattedText`	`string`	Full formatted NOTAM text in ICAO format with line breaks
`effectiveStart`	`string`	NOTAM effective start datetime (UTC, format: `"YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm:ss"`)
`effectiveEnd`	`string`	NOTAM effective end datetime (UTC). Permanent NOTAMs show `"9999-12-31 23:59:59"`
`minimumFL`	`string`	Minimum flight level affected (e.g., `"000"`)
`maximumFL`	`string`	Maximum flight level affected (e.g., `"999"`)

NOTAM Example

JSON - NOTAM Object

{
  "notam": {
    "International": [
      {
        "notamNumber": "A0290/26",
        "icaoLocation": "LEBL",
        "type": "N",
        "typeExplanation": "New",
        "notamText": "RWY 02/20 CLSD. AVBL PPR 10MIN",
        "notamFormattedText": "A0290/26 NOTAMN\nQ) LECB/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A /000/999/4118N00205E005\nA) LEBL B) 2601191500 C) 2601251800\nD) 19 1500-1800, 25 1500-1800\nE) RWY 02/20 CLSD. AVBL PPR 10MIN",
        "effectiveStart": "2026-01-19 15:00:00",
        "effectiveEnd": "2026-01-25 18:00:00",
        "minimumFL": "000",
        "maximumFL": "999"
      },
      {
        "notamNumber": "A2755/24",
        "icaoLocation": "LEBL",
        "type": "N",
        "typeExplanation": "New",
        "notamText": "TYPE D ACFT OR HIGHER FOR GENERAL AVIATION AND BUSINESS TFC...",
        "notamFormattedText": "A2755/24 NOTAMN\nQ) LECB/QFALT/I /NBO/A /000/999/4118N00205E005\nA) LEBL...",
        "effectiveStart": "2024-04-18 21:59:00",
        "effectiveEnd": "9999-12-31 23:59:59",
        "minimumFL": "000",
        "maximumFL": "999"
      }
    ],
    "Military": [
      {
        "notamNumber": "V0021/26",
        "icaoLocation": "LEBL",
        "type": "N",
        "typeExplanation": "New",
        "notamText": "[US DOD PROCEDURAL NOTAM] INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE AMENDMENT RNP Y RWY 24R...",
        "notamFormattedText": "V0021/26 NOTAMN\nQ) LECB/QPICH/I/BO/A/000/999/4117N00205E005\nA) LEBL...",
        "effectiveStart": "2026-01-13 16:46:00",
        "effectiveEnd": "2026-02-18 23:01:00",
        "minimumFL": "000",
        "maximumFL": "999"
      }
    ],
    "Obstacles": [
      {
        "notamNumber": "A0160/26",
        "icaoLocation": "LEBL",
        "type": "N",
        "typeExplanation": "New",
        "notamText": "OBST (CRANE ERECTED) HGT 25M, LOCATED AT COORD: 411719.60N 0020404.80E",
        "notamFormattedText": "A0160/26 NOTAMN\nQ) LECB/QOBCE/IV/M  /A /000/999/4118N00205E005\nA) LEBL...",
        "effectiveStart": "2026-01-12 07:00:00",
        "effectiveEnd": "2026-01-31 19:00:00",
        "minimumFL": "000",
        "maximumFL": "999"
      }
    ]
  }
}

NOTAM Types

N (New): A new NOTAM.
R (Replaced): Replaces a previous NOTAM (reference shown in formatted text).
C (Canceled): Cancels a previous NOTAM.
Permanent: NOTAMs with effectiveEnd of "9999-12-31 23:59:59" are permanent.

Changelog Section

The changelog object contains recent changes to airport data, useful for tracking updates.

Changelog Usage

The changelog helps identify recent changes to runway data. This can be useful for alerting users about updated runway lengths or procedures.

Error Responses

Error	Cause
`Invalid API request.`	Missing `icao` parameter
`The requested aircraft profile does not exist.`	Invalid aircraft profile specified
`This aircraft is not allowed with your subscription at this airport.`	Subscription does not include this aircraft/airport combination
`This airport does not exist or is not approved for your aircraft / subscription.`	Airport not found or not available for the user

What's Next?

Aircraft API

Get aircraft profiles and configuration

Performance API

Calculate takeoff and landing performance

Error Handling

Handle API errors gracefully