Thomas C Russell Field traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Thomas C Russell Field (ALX · KALX) is 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and every runway end is standard left traffic.

All of Thomas C Russell Field — runways, frequencies, charts and live weather

Pattern diagram

Drawn to scale from the FAA NASR runway alignments and the per end right traffic flags — pick a runway to see its pattern. Live wind picks the favored runway when KALX reports it.

RWY 18LEFT traffic

Heading: 182° mag · 178° true
Dimensions: 5,422 × 96 ft
TPA: 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: Asphalt
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
Displaced thr: 623 ft
CTAF: 122.7

Enter the left downwind (heading 002°) on the 45° at 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL).

More details — RWY 18

Threshold elev: 686 ft
Markings: nonprecision
Approach obstacle: Tree, 129 ft, 2,006 ft from threshold, 572 ft R of centerline — 15:1 slope to clear · penetrates the 20:1 visual approach surface
Threshold crossing height: 57 ft
TDZ elevation: 675 ft

Condition: Fair. Edge lights: Med. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 30k.

Pattern side + displaced threshold: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: FAA runway-end coordinates

Pattern direction by runway

Runway	Pattern	Heading	Pattern altitude
18	Left traffic	182° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
36	Left traffic	002° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KALX; the figure above is the AC 90-66B 1,000 ft AGL convention for propeller aircraft, rounded to the field. Turbine aircraft normally fly 1,500 ft AGL. Headings are the runway alignment; downwind is the reciprocal.

Flying the pattern at KALX

Thomas C Russell Field is non towered, so the pattern is self announced on CTAF 122.7. AC 90-66B asks for a report on entry and on each leg, and for the standard 45° entry to downwind at pattern altitude.

All ends are left traffic, which is the FAR 91.126 default — turns to the left unless the field charts otherwise. The full entry procedure is here →

Frequently asked

What is the traffic pattern altitude at KALX?

Thomas C Russell Field has no traffic pattern altitude published in the FAA NASR data. The AC 90-66B convention for propeller aircraft is 1,000 ft AGL, which works out to roughly 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) here — but confirm it against the Chart Supplement before you fly, since a field can have a non standard pattern altitude that NASR does not carry.

Does KALX have right traffic?

No. All 2 runway ends at Thomas C Russell Field use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

What frequency is the pattern on at KALX?

Thomas C Russell Field is non towered, so pattern position reports go on the CTAF, 122.7. AC 90-66B asks for self announcing on entry and on each leg.

More about KALX

Pattern direction and alignment are drawn from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle); the diagram is generated, not an FAA chart. Pattern altitude is shown as published where NASR carries one, otherwise as the AC 90-66B 1,000 ft AGL convention. For planning and education only; always verify against the Chart Supplement.