Charlotte/Douglas International traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT · KCLT) 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. · Open on the map

All of Charlotte/Douglas International — 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 KCLT reports it.

RWY 18LEFT traffic

Heading: 183° mag · 176° true
Dimensions: 8,676 × 150 ft
TPA: 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: ASPH-CONC
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
ILS: ILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 110.35 (VKQ) · GS 3.00°
CTAF: 122.95

More details — RWY 18

Threshold elev: 746 ft
Markings: precision
Approach obstacle: Rr, 19 ft, 523 ft from threshold, 0 ft B of centerline — 17:1 slope to clear · penetrates the 20:1 visual approach surface
Threshold crossing height: 76 ft
TDZ elevation: 748 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA: 8,676 / 8,676 / 8,676 / 8,676 ft
End lights: REIL, centerline

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 93k, Double wheel 200k, Dual tandem 350k, Double dual tandem 650k.

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
01R	Left traffic	003° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
19L	Left traffic	183° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
01L	Left traffic	003° mag	1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
19R	Left traffic	183° 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 KCLT; 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 KCLT

Charlotte/Douglas International is towered, working 118.1. 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 KCLT?

Charlotte/Douglas International 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 KCLT have right traffic?

No. All 6 runway ends at Charlotte/Douglas International use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KCLT?

Charlotte/Douglas International is towered (118.1), 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 KCLT

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.

Something here wrong or out of date? Report a data problem.