Memphis International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Memphis International Airport (MEM · KMEM) is 1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and 36C, 18R are charted right traffic.

All of Memphis 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 KMEM reports it.

RWY 27LEFT traffic

Heading: 273° mag · 272° true
Dimensions: 8,946 × 150 ft
TPA: 1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: Concrete
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + MALSR
ILS: ILS · CAT I · LOC 108.7 (JIM) · GS 3.00°
CTAF: 122.95

More details — RWY 27

Threshold elev: 292 ft
Markings: precision
Approach obstacle: Pole, 50 ft, 1,707 ft from threshold, 662 ft R of centerline — 30:1 slope to clear
Threshold crossing height: 69 ft
TDZ elevation: 292 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA: 8,946 / 8,946 / 8,946 / 8,946 ft
LAHSO: 8,450 ft
End lights: centerline

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 120k, Double wheel 250k, Dual tandem 550k, Double dual tandem 1120k.

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
09	Left traffic	093° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
27	Left traffic	273° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
18C	Left traffic	180° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
36C	Right traffic	000° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
18L	Left traffic	180° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
36R	Left traffic	000° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
18R	Right traffic	180° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
36L	Left traffic	000° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KMEM; 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 KMEM

Memphis 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: 36C, 18R. 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 KMEM?

Memphis 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 1,300 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 KMEM have right traffic?

Yes, on 2 runway ends: 36C, 18R. Every other end at Memphis International Airport is standard left traffic.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KMEM?

Memphis 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 KMEM

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.