Normal VFR Arrival & Departure Routes KSNA local VFR procedures

The current flow at KSNA is uncertain right now (UNKNOWN), so whether this procedure applies at this moment is unknown. Live runway page →

Not for navigation. Verify against the official sources linked below before flight.

vfr arrival Airport sponsor published verified 2026-08-28 (42 d ago)

Published by the airport sponsor; voluntary unless ATC assigns it. If ATC assigns this route to you in Class B, C or D airspace, that assignment is an ATC instruction and compliance is required (14 CFR 91.123) — and “unable” remains available to the pilot in command.

Expected clearances by direction of arrival — Signal Peak, UCI, Mile Square Park, Huntington Pier — and four named departure headings.

The route

Arriving from the east: from El Toro proceed to Signal Peak; expect left traffic runway 20L, report UCI
Arriving from the southeast (Dana Point, Laguna Beach): proceed to Signal Peak for left traffic 20L, or directly over / just east of UCI for a proper midfield pattern entry to 20L
Arriving from the west/northwest (Mile Square Park) or southwest (Huntington Pier): cross over the control tower at or above 1,300 for left downwind entry to 20L
Departures by direction: El Toro (heading 080°) east/northeast; Newport (150°) southeast; Mesa (220°) southwest; Orange (340°) northwest

When it applies

Arriving 20L — south flow Every published arrival expectation names runway 20L; no equivalent north-flow arrival set is published

Source text, verbatim

NORMAL VFR ARRIVAL ROUTES — Expected Arrival Clearances:
Arriving: (East) From El Toro proceed to Signal Peak. Expect: Enter LEFT Traffic, RWY 20L; report UCI.
Arriving: (SE) Dana Point and Laguna Beach. Expect: Proceed to Signal Peak for LEFT Traffic, RWY 20L; Proceed directly over or remain just east of UCI for a proper midfield pattern entry to RWY 20L.
Arriving: (W/NW) Mile Square Park. Expect: Cross over the control tower at or above 1300 for left downwind entry RWY 20L.
Arriving: (SW) Huntington Pier. Expect: Cross over the control tower at or above 1300 for left downwind entry RWY 20L.
NORMAL VFR DEPARTURE ROUTES
Departing E/NE: El Toro Departure – "Heading 080°"
Departing SE: Newport Departure – "Heading 150°"
Departing SW: Mesa Departure – "Heading 220°"
Departing NW: Orange Departure – "Heading 340°"

The text above is the published source wording and is authoritative over any summary on this page.

Sources

John Wayne Airport — SNA Pilot Information Guide (January 2026) County of Orange / John Wayne Airport · retrieved 2026-08-28

All KSNA procedures · KSNA runway in use