Early-Merkel Field Private
IS78 · Pecatonica, IL · Non-towered · Print kneeboard
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Weather
METAR observed
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TAF forecast
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Sun & FAA night2026-08-04 · night begins 08:45 PM
| Event | Local (CDT) | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| Morning civil twilight Loggable night ends | 05:21 AM | 10:21Z |
| Sunrise | 05:52 AM | 10:52Z |
| Sunset | 08:13 PM | 01:13Z |
| Evening civil twilight Loggable night begins | 08:45 PM | 01:45Z |
Plan a flight from IS78
Winds aloft NOAA forecast · 3,000 to 53,000 ft
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Advisories
NOTAMs
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Pilot reports
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Airspace hazards
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Runways
RWY 15LEFT traffic
- Heading
- 151° mag · 150° true
- Dimensions
- 2,400 × 70 ft
- TPA
- 1,800 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
- Surface
- Turf
Enter the left downwind (heading 331°) 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
- 42.3661, -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 · 122.2 · 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 Airport (private) (3 NM) · IS19 Carlson Restricted Landing Area (private) (4 NM) · LL79 Severson Airport (private) (5 NM) · LL78 LZ Fairwinds Airport (private) (5 NM) · 2IL1 Mc Cartney Airport (private) (5 NM) · 8IL5 O'Connor Field (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: 42.3661, -89.2351.
Fly out of IS78 often?
Save IS78 as your home base in the SkyReady app for a one-tap Go/No-Go readiness brief, weather alerts, and automatic FAA currency — free to log.
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.