Early - Merkel Field Private
IS78 · Pecatonica, IL · Non-towered · Print kneeboard · Open on the map
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Weather
METAR observed
TAF forecast
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Sun & FAA night2026-09-18 · night begins 07:30 PM
| Event | Local (CDT) | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| Morning civil twilight Loggable night ends | 06:12 AM | 11:12Z |
| Sunrise | 06:40 AM | 11:40Z |
| Sunset | 07:02 PM | 00:02Z |
| Evening civil twilight Loggable night begins | 07:30 PM | 00:30Z |
Plan a flight from IS78
Winds aloft NOAA forecast · 3,000 to 53,000 ft
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Full reports: nearest reporting station
Advisories
NOTAMs · Loading NOTAMs…
Pilot reports · Loading PIREPs…
Airspace hazards · Checking SIGMETs and G-AIRMETs…
Temporary flight restrictions · Checking for TFRs…
Runways
RWY 15LEFT traffic
- Heading
- 150° mag · 149° true
- Dimensions
- 2,400 × 70 ft
- TPA
- 1,800 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
- Surface
- Turf
Enter the left downwind (heading 330°) on the 45° at 1,800 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL).
Pattern side: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: schematic (headings + lengths)
| Runway | Length | Your margin |
|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 2,400 ft |
Prefer one flat page? Full runway details for IS78 → · New to pattern entries? The 45° entry, explained → · Teaching here? Print the IS78 kneeboard →
Comms & NavAids
Nearby navigation aids
JVL 114.30
| NavAid | Type | Freq · ch | Range | Radial / Dist magnetic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JVL · Janesville | VOR/DME | 114.30 · 90X | Low | r204° / 12.9 NM |
Charts & procedures
No published instrument procedures or Chart Supplement for IS78 — open it on the VFR sectional →
Airport info
Airport information
- FAA LID
- IS78
- Coordinates
- 42.3663, -89.2351
- Elevation
- 794 ft MSL
- Magnetic variation
- 1W
- Sectional chart
- CHICAGO
- Airport use
- Private
- Control tower
- No
- ARTCC
- CHICAGO (ZAU)
- Flight service (FSS)
- KANKAKEE · 1-800-WX-BRIEF
- Attendance
- UNATNDD
- Segmented circle
- No
- Wind indicator
- yes
- Activated
- 1999/05
- Distance from city
- 7 NE
Ownership & management 2 contacts
Remarks FAA · 1 notes
General
- FOR CD CTC CHICAGO ARTCC AT 630-906-8921.
Nearby airports
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Also nearby: LL80 Darrington (private) (3 NM) · IS19 Carlson (private) (4 NM) · LL79 Severson (private) (5 NM) · LL78 Lz Fairwinds (private) (5 NM) · 2IL1 Mc Cartney (private) (5 NM) · 80IL Loeppert Cpl Aero (private) (5 NM)
About IS78
Early - Merkel Field (IS78) is an airport in Pecatonica, IL, at 794 ft MSL. It has 1 runway, the longest 2,400 ft, with no control tower (pilot-controlled). This page shows live METAR/TAF weather, runway crosswinds, frequencies, navaids, and FAA charts for IS78, refreshed from the Aviation Weather Center and FAA NASR.
Does IS78 have a control tower?
No. Early - Merkel Field is a non-towered (pilot-controlled) airport; use the published CTAF/UNICOM in the Comms & NavAids section.
What is the longest runway at IS78?
Early - Merkel Field has 1 runway; the longest is 2,400 ft. See the Runways section for headings, surface, and lighting.
Where is IS78?
Early - Merkel Field is in Pecatonica, IL, at an elevation of 794 ft MSL. Coordinates: 42.3663, -89.2351.
More about IS78
Weather is live from the Aviation Weather Center; airport facility data is from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle). For planning and education only; always verify against official sources. Open IS78 in a full tool: METAR/TAF decoder, crosswind calculator, sun & night times, or the density altitude calculator. Planning from here? Find the nearest airport with fuel or an approach, or check whether an IFR alternate is required.
Something here wrong or out of date? Report a data problem.