Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM · KBHM) 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 Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport — 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 KBHM reports it.

RWY 18LEFT traffic

Heading: 183° mag · 180° true
Dimensions: 7,099 × 150 ft
TPA: 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: Asphalt
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3.2°)
ILS: LOC/DME · CAT I · LOC 111.3 (BXO)
CTAF: 122.95

More details — RWY 18

Threshold elev: 644 ft
Markings: nonprecision
Approach obstacle: Trees, 245 ft, 5,689 ft from threshold, 883 ft R of centerline — 22:1 slope to clear
Threshold crossing height: 51 ft
TDZ elevation: 644 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA: 7,099 / 7,099 / 7,099 / 7,099 ft
End lights: REIL

Condition: Good. Edge lights: Med. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 105k, Double wheel 143k, Dual tandem 197k.

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

Pattern direction by runway

Runway	Pattern	Heading	Pattern altitude
06	Left traffic	058° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
24	Left traffic	238° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
18	Left traffic	183° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
36	Left traffic	003° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KBHM; 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 KBHM

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is towered, working 118.25. Contact the tower before entering the surface area and fly the pattern you are assigned — the directions below are the charted default when no instruction is given.

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 KBHM?

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport 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 KBHM have right traffic?

No. All 4 runway ends at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KBHM?

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is towered (118.25), so the pattern shown here is the charted default — but the controller's instruction overrides it. Expect straight in approaches, base entries and midfield crossings as traffic dictates.

More about KBHM

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.