Des Moines International Airport frequencies
Des Moines International Airport (DSM · KDSM) in Des Moines, IA is a towered field, staffed 24 hours. Every frequency below is in the order you tune it, from the first call to the handoff on climb out. · Open on the map
All of Des Moines International Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weatherBefore taxi Des Moines
- ATIS 119.55
- A recorded loop of the field's weather, active runway and any notices, updated hourly or whenever conditions change. Listen before your first call, and tell the controller which letter you have so they do not read it to you again.
- ASOS/AWOS 119.55
- An automated weather station reading the field conditions aloud — wind, visibility, ceiling, temperature and altimeter. It replaces ATIS at a field with no controller to record one. Get the altimeter setting before you descend below the transition altitude.
- Clearance 134.15
- Clearance delivery issues your IFR clearance, and at busier fields your VFR departure instructions and squawk code. Call before you request taxi, with the ATIS letter and your intended direction of flight.
Taxi & takeoff Des Moines
- Ground 121.9
- Ground control owns every taxiway and inactive runway on the field. Call for taxi with your position and destination on the field. You need an explicit clearance to cross any runway, including one that is not in use.
- Tower 118.3
- Tower owns the active runways and the surrounding surface area. Call before entering the surface area inbound, and hold short until you are cleared to take off or to cross.
Departure & arrival Des Moines
- App/Dep 120.45 (secondary), 123.9 (initial contact)
- One radar controller working both arrivals and departures — normal at a smaller TRACON. The same frequency takes your climb out and your inbound call.
Arrival Des Moines
- Approach 135.2 (secondary)
- Approach control is the radar facility sequencing arrivals into the area. Call inbound for flight following or an instrument approach, with your position, altitude and request.
Also
- UNICOM 122.95
- A ground station run by the FBO rather than the FAA, for fuel, parking and airport services. Use it for services. Where the field has no separate CTAF, the same frequency doubles as the advisory frequency.
- Flight service 122.5
- Flight Service handles briefings, flight plans and en route advisories, reached here through a remote outlet. Open and close VFR flight plans, and get updated weather in the air. 1-800-WX-BRIEF reaches the same specialists from the ground.
- Emergency 121.5
- 121.5 is the international emergency and distress frequency, monitored continuously. Declare on it if you are in trouble, and monitor it as a second radio when you have one free.
By procedure & sector (10 more)
| 120.45 | CLASS C/S |
|---|---|
| 123.9 | CLASS C |
| 135.2 | CLASS C/S |
| 243.0 | EMERG |
| 257.8 | LCL/P IC |
| 307.15 | APCH/P DEP/P IC, CLASS C |
| 317.55 | CD/P |
| 348.6 | GND/P IC |
| 350.3 | APCH/S DEP/S, CLASS C/S |
| 360.7 | APCH/S, CLASS C/S |
Every KDSM frequency, as one table
| ATIS | 119.55 |
|---|---|
| ASOS/AWOS | 119.55 |
| Clearance | 134.15 |
| Ground | 121.9 |
| Tower | 118.3 |
| UNICOM | 122.95 |
| Flight service | 122.5 |
| Emergency | 121.5 |
| Approach | 135.2 · secondary |
| App/Dep | 120.45 · secondary |
| App/Dep | 123.9 · initial contact |
Frequently asked
What is the tower frequency at KDSM?
Des Moines International Airport tower is 118.3, calling "Des Moines Tower". The tower is staffed 24 hours.
What is the ground frequency at KDSM?
Ground control at Des Moines International Airport is 121.9. You need an explicit clearance from ground to cross any runway while taxiing, including one that is not in use.
What is the ATIS frequency at KDSM?
ATIS at Des Moines International Airport is 119.55. Listen before your first call and report the letter you have.
What is the approach frequency for KDSM?
Approach for Des Moines International Airport is 135.2, working as "Des Moines" (secondary). Call inbound for flight following or to begin an instrument approach.
Where do I get my clearance at KDSM?
Clearance delivery at Des Moines International Airport is 134.15. Call before requesting taxi, with the current ATIS letter and your direction of flight.
More about KDSM
Frequencies from FAA NASR. For planning and education only; always verify against official sources.