Des Moines International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Des Moines International Airport (DSM · KDSM) is 2,000 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and 31 is charted right traffic.

All of Des Moines 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 KDSM reports it.

RWY 13LEFT traffic

Heading: 131° mag · 132° true
Dimensions: 9,001 × 150 ft
TPA: 2,000 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: Concrete
Lights: 4-light PAPI (right) (3°) + MALSR
ILS: ILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 111.9 (VGU) · GS 3.00°
CTAF: 122.95

More details — RWY 13

Threshold elev: 913 ft
Markings: precision
Threshold crossing height: 54 ft
TDZ elevation: 924 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA: 9,001 / 9,001 / 9,001 / 9,001 ft
End lights: centerline

Condition: Excellent. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 100k, Double wheel 200k, Dual tandem 360k, Double dual tandem 850k.

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
05	Left traffic	053° mag	2,000 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
23	Left traffic	233° mag	2,000 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
13	Left traffic	131° mag	2,000 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
31	Right traffic	311° mag	2,000 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KDSM; 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 KDSM

Des Moines International Airport is towered, working 118.3. 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 KDSM?

Des Moines 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 2,000 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 KDSM have right traffic?

Yes, on one runway end: 31. Every other end at Des Moines International Airport is standard left traffic.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KDSM?

Des Moines International Airport is towered (118.3), 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 KDSM

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.