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Grand Forks International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Grand Forks International Airport (GFK · KGFK) is 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL as published by the FAA, and 27R, 09R, 35R, 17R are charted right traffic.

All of Grand Forks 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 KGFK reports it.

5,000 ftNMNxw 354°downwind 264°base 174°final 084°45° entry09L27R09R27L17L35R17R35L

RWY 09LLEFT traffic

Heading
084° mag · 090° true
Dimensions
6,701 × 100 ft
TPA
1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL · charted
Surface
Concrete
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
CTAF
118.4
More details — RWY 09L
Threshold elev
845 ft
Markings
nonprecision
Threshold crossing height
45 ft
TDZ elevation
845 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
6,701 / 6,701 / 6,701 / 6,701 ft
End lights
REIL

Condition: Good. Edge lights: Med. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 120k, Double wheel 198k, Dual tandem 321k, Double dual tandem 760k.

Pattern side: FAA NASR · TPA charted (NASR) · layout: FAA runway-end coordinates

Pattern direction by runway

RunwayPatternHeadingPattern altitude
09L Left traffic 084° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL
27R Right traffic 264° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL
09R Right traffic 084° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL
27L Left traffic 264° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL
17L Left traffic 174° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL
35R Right traffic 354° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL
17R Right traffic 174° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL
35L Left traffic 354° mag 1,645 ft MSL · 800 AGL

Pattern altitude is published for KGFK in the FAA NASR data. Headings are the runway alignment; downwind is the reciprocal.

Flying the pattern at KGFK

Grand Forks International Airport is towered, working 118.4. 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: 27R, 09R, 35R, 17R. 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 KGFK?

The FAA publishes a traffic pattern altitude of 800 ft AGL for Grand Forks International Airport, which is 1,645 ft MSL on the altimeter with the field at 845 ft.

Does KGFK have right traffic?

Yes, on 4 runway ends: 27R, 09R, 35R, 17R. Every other end at Grand Forks International Airport is standard left traffic.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KGFK?

Grand Forks International Airport is towered (118.4), 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 KGFK

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.