Modern Aviation

Modern Aviation at Sacramento Mather Airport operates the established FBO on what was formerly Mather Air Force Base, a facility that closed in 1993 and reopened for civilian use in 1995. The military heritage is immediately apparent in the airport's infrastructure. The primary runway stretches 11,301 feet, one of the longest in the Sacramento region, and the ramp areas are built to handle large military aircraft, which means ample space for business aviation parking and maneuvering.

The Modern Aviation terminal provides full-service ground handling including fueling, baggage service, and aircraft marshaling. The facility includes a passenger waiting area and basic amenities. Ground transportation is available through rental cars and car service.

Mather Airport is located about 15 miles east of downtown Sacramento, in the Rancho Cordova area. The drive to the state capitol and downtown Sacramento takes about 25 minutes. The airport is convenient for passengers heading to the Folsom Lake recreation area, the American River Parkway, or destinations in the Sacramento foothills including the Gold Country towns of Placerville, Auburn, and Nevada City.

The airport's former military infrastructure is a practical advantage. Runway length is never a constraint, and the approach paths cross open land rather than developed neighborhoods, which means fewer noise-related restrictions. The field also sees use as a staging area for firefighting aircraft during California's fire season.

Modern Aviation competes at Mather with the newly opened Mather Jet Center, which launched in 2025 as the airport's first alternative fuel provider. For charter passengers, both operators provide professional service, and the competition benefits pricing. Sacramento Executive Airport and McClellan Airfield are alternative general aviation airports closer to downtown if location is the primary consideration.