Davis Monthan AFB traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Davis Monthan AFB (DMA · KDMA) is 3,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and 31 is charted right traffic. · Open on the map

All of Davis Monthan AFB — 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 KDMA reports it.

RWY 13LEFT traffic

Heading: 129° mag · 138° true
Dimensions: 13,645 × 200 ft
TPA: 3,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: PEM
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
ILS: LOC/GS · CAT I · LOC 109.3 (AFB) · GS 3.00°

More details — RWY 13

Threshold elev: 2,589 ft
Markings: precision
Threshold crossing height: 58 ft
TDZ elevation: 2,615 ft
End lights: REIL
Arresting gear: BAK-12, BAK-9

Edge lights: High.

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
13	Left traffic	128° mag	3,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
31	Right traffic	308° mag	3,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KDMA; 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 KDMA

Davis Monthan AFB is towered, working 118.85. 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.

Watch the right traffic ends here: 31. A right pattern at a field where the other end is left is the single most common place to end up pointing at opposing traffic. The full entry procedure is here →

Frequently asked

What is the traffic pattern altitude at KDMA?

Davis Monthan AFB 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 3,700 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 KDMA have right traffic?

Yes, on one runway end: 31. Every other end at Davis Monthan AFB is standard left traffic.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KDMA?

Davis Monthan AFB is towered (118.85), 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 KDMA

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.