Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport

PMD · KPMD · Palmdale, CA · Towered · Print kneeboard

Elevation
2,542 ft MSL
Longest runway
12,002 ft 07/25
Runways
3
Mag var
12E
Airport diagram FAA airport diagram for KPMD FAA airport diagramView full size ↓

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Weather

METAR observed

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TAF forecast

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Sun & FAA night2026-08-04 · night begins 08:19 PM
EventLocal (PDT)UTC
Morning civil twilight
Loggable night ends
05:37 AM12:37Z
Sunrise06:05 AM13:05Z
Sunset07:52 PM02:52Z
Evening civil twilight
Loggable night begins
08:19 PM03:19Z
Loggable night (§1.1)
08:19 PM → 05:37 AM
Night currency (§61.57)
08:52 PM → 05:05 AM

Plan a flight from KPMD

Past 24 hours category · wind · ceiling · visibility trends

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Density altitude today projected curve · departure window · takeoff roll

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Winds aloft NOAA forecast · 3,000 to 53,000 ft

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Advisories

NOTAMs

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Pilot reports

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Airspace hazards

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Runways

5,000 ftNMNxw 130°downwind 040°base 310°final 220°45° entry22252520407072

RWY 22LEFT traffic

Heading
220° mag · 232° true
Dimensions
12,001 × 150 ft
TPA
3,500 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface
Concrete
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
CTAF
123.7
More details — RWY 22
Threshold elev
2,491 ft
Markings
basic
Threshold crossing height
75 ft
TDZ elevation
2,498 ft

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. PCN 53.

Pattern side: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: schematic (headings + lengths)

ft · ≥1.5× comfortable, under 1.25× tight · saved across airports

Prefer one flat page? Full runway details for KPMD → · New to pattern entries? The 45° entry, explained → · Teaching here? Print the KPMD kneeboard →

Comms & NavAids

Communication frequencies

Before taxi

“Palmdale”
ATIS
118.275

Taxi & takeoff

“Palmdale”
Ground — primary
121.9
Tower — primary
123.7

Departure & arrival

“Joshua”
App/Dep
124.55

Also

CTAF
123.7
Emergency
121.5

ATC assigns the exact frequency (in your clearance or on handoff) — which one depends on your SID (departing) or STAR (arriving).

By procedure & sector (4 frequencies)
FrequencyUsed by
236.6LCL/S
243.0EMERG
317.6GND/P · LCL/P
363.0APCH/P DEP/P

Source: FAA NASR (current 28-day cycle).

Instrument landing systems

RWY 25
RunwayILS
RWY 25ILS · CAT I · LOC 110.7 (PMD) · GS 3.00°

Source: FAA NASR (current 28-day cycle).

Nearby navigation aids

PMD 115.55 · LHS 114.35 · EDW 116.40 · +4
NavAidTypeFreq · chRangeRadial / Dist magnetic
PMD · Palmdale VORTAC 115.55 · 102Y High r248° / 1.1 NM
LHS · Lake Hughes VORTAC 114.35 · 90Y High r082° / 24.5 NM
EDW · Edwards VORTAC 116.40 · 111X Terminal r207° / 27.4 NM
VNY · Van Nuys VOR/DME 113.10 · 78X Low r024° / 31.6 NM
VCV · Victorville VOR 109.05 Terminal r260° / 34.4 NM
POM · Pomona VORTAC 110.40 · 41X Low r321° / 36.2 NM
GMN · Gorman VORTAC 116.10 · 108X Low r089° / 39.7 NM

Prefer one flat list? All KPMD frequencies →

Charts & procedures

Airport
Approaches
Minimums

Lowest minimums here: ILS with vertical guidance · VFR sectional →

Airport info

From the field

Do you run KPMD, or an FBO, flight school, or shop on it? Claim your listing to keep fuel, fees, hours, and services current.

Airport information

ICAO / IATA
KPMD / PMD
Coordinates
34.6294, -118.0850
Elevation
2,542 ft MSL
Magnetic variation
12E
Sectional chart
LOS ANGELES
Airport use
Public
Control tower
Yes
Tower hours
OPR 1330-0600Z++.
Airspace
Class D · CLASS D SVC 1330-0600Z++; OTHER TIMES CLASS G
Weather station
ASOS · 118.275 · ☎ 661-272-3798
ARTCC
LOS ANGELES (ZLA)
Flight service (FSS)
RIVERSIDE · 122.2 · 1-800-WX-BRIEF
NOTAM facility
PMD
Attendance
ALL 1330-0600Z++
Beacon
white-green (SS-SR)
Segmented circle
Yes
Wind indicator
yes
Landing fee
Yes
Access
Joint civil-military use
Distance from city
3 NE

Night operations

Airport lighting
SEE RMK
Rotating beacon
white-green · SS-SR
Pilot-controlled lighting
Usually keyed on CTAF 123.7 — confirm the click sequence in the Chart Supplement ↗

Runway lighting aids — 04: 4-light PAPI (left) · 22: 4-light PAPI (left) · 07: 4-light PAPI (left) · 25: 4-light PAPI (left).

FAA night windows (civil twilight, loggable night §1.1, currency §61.57) are under Sun & FAA night in the Weather section.

Ownership & management 2 contacts
Owner
USAF
2503 E AVE P, PALMDALE, CA
661-275-9341
Manager
MATT FISHER
2503 E AVE P, PALMDALE, CA
661-275-9342
Remarks FAA · 34 notes

General

  • MISC: INDUS INSTLN - NO TRNSPN, LODGING OR NML SVC AVBL ON SITE.
  • PRKG RAMP LCTD S OF RWY 22 & TWY V NOT VSB FM ATCT.
  • UNLGT OBSTN SURROUND AFLD.
  • DRAINAGE DITCHES PARL RWY 22 FM TWY S TO TWY U.
  • BIRD HAZ POTENTIAL EXISTS. MIGRATORY SEASON PHASE II 1 OCT - 31 MAR. DURG BWC MODERATE, TKOF AND LNDG PERMITTED. DURG BWC SEVERE, TKOF AND LNDG PROHIBITED.
  • MILITARY USE: ASSAULT LDG ZONE LCTD 1ST 6,000 EAST END OF TWY B. RWY 252 MRK ONLY FOR C-130 ASSAULT OPR; ONE-WAY LDG ONLY.
  • MISC: WINDS ARE EST DUE TO FMQ-13 WIND SENSORS BEING ACCURATE TO WITHIN ONLY +/- 2 KT. ATC/WX WILL NOT INCL/RELAY WIND CORR INTO FCST/PHRASEOLOGY. THEREFORE, AIRCREWS WILL INCORPORATE A +/- 2 KT ACCURACY INTO THEIR DECISION MAKING PROCESS FOR FLYING OPR.
  • TRAN ALERT (1 OF 2): NO FLEET SVC AVBL. NO FLW ME SVC AVBL. EXP PROGRESSIVE TAXI TO PRK. AIRCREW RESPONSIBLE FOR ACFT PINNING/SAFING.
  • MISC: COMSEC STORAGE UNAVBL.
  • CAUTION: USE EXTREME CAUTION FOR UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS) OPS IN VCNTY.
  • FUEL: A++ AVBL. NO TRANS ACFT FUEL SVC AVBL. LTD FUELING AVBL; GOVT ACFT ONLY 1600-2300Z++ MON-FRI. 24 HR PN WITH AFLD MGR RQR; NO SAME DAY REQ; GAS AND GO UNAVBL. EXPECT 2+ HR DELAY FOR FUEL.
  • RSTD - OFFL BUS ONLY. MIL ARPT. CIVIL USE RQR USAF APVL AND DD FORM 2400/01/02. PPR RQR FOR FULL STOP LDG ONLY. CALL C661-275-9342.
  • TRAN ALERT (2 OF 2): UNABLE TO SVC ACFT WITH ORDNANCE. LTD GRD SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AVBL. NO POTABLE WATER SVC. NO TRAN MAINT AVBL. GND SVC UNAVBL WHEN LIGHTNING WITHIN 5 NM.
  • MISC: FLT PLANS MUST BE FILED AND ACTIVATED WITH P42 AFLD MGMT. USE FLT SVC WHEN P42 AFLD MGMT CLSD.
  • CAUTION: VARIOUS ACFT TEST OPS MARKINGS PAINTED IN WHITE ON TAXIWAY UNIFORM.
  • CAUTION: RWY 25 NSTD MRK: SPOT LDG ZONE MRK LCTD AT 6000 FT REMAINING MRK. RWY 07-25 DECEPTIVE SFC MRK EXCEED STANDARD BY APPROX 50 FT.
  • RSTD: OVERNIGHT PRK UNAUTHD ON C-RAMP.
  • RSTD: TWY L BTN RWY 04/22 AND PAX TRML UNLGTD AND USABLE FOR DAYLT VFR ONLY.
  • ALL DEPT ACFT MUST FILE FPL WITH P42 AFLD MGMT OPS.
  • SERVICE-JASU: POWER CARS UNAVBL.
  • MISC: BASE OPS OPR 1330-0600Z++, CLSD FEDERAL HOL.
  • CAUTION: CONTRACTOR LEASED SITES ARE INTENDED FOR ACFT BASED THEREIN; ENTRY GATES AND APRONS MAY NOT MEET AF OBST STDS.
  • CAUTION: CIV ACFT MAY NOT BE GRANTED ACCESS TO KPMD CLASS D FOR PRACTICE APCH OR TRSN OVER ARPT BDRYS.

Runways

  • RY USED AS A MILITARY ASSAULT STRIP.
  • 1000 FT ASPH OVRN EACH END; OVRN POOR COND EMERG USE ONLY.
  • UNUSBL BYD 5.0 NM.
  • UNUSBL BYD 5.0 NM DUE TO TRRN.

Lighting

  • PAPI RWY 04, 07, 22, & 25 OPR CONSLY.

Obstructions

  • 23000' FM THR.

Contact

  • CIVILIAN AIRPORT CONTACT AT 39516 NORTH 25TH STREET E, PALMDALE, CA 93550, CURRENTLY CLOSED.
  • CHIEF OF USAF AIRFIELD OPERATIONS.
  • KEN NEITZEL, FLIGHT DIRECTOR, PHONE 661-275-9341.

Attendance

  • CLSD FED HOL.
  • OTHER TIMES CLSD TO ALL TFC WITHOUT WRITTEN APVL.
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Nearby airports

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About KPMD

Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport (PMD · KPMD) is an airport in Palmdale, CA, at 2,542 ft MSL. It has 3 runways, the longest 12,002 ft, with a control tower. This page shows live METAR/TAF weather, runway crosswinds, frequencies, navaids, and FAA charts for KPMD, refreshed from the Aviation Weather Center and FAA NASR.

Does KPMD have a control tower?

Yes. Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport has an operating FAA control tower. See the Comms & NavAids section for tower and ground frequencies.

What is the longest runway at KPMD?

Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport has 3 runways; the longest is 12,002 ft. See the Runways section for headings, surface, and lighting.

Where is KPMD?

Palmdale Regional Airport / USAF Plant 42 Airport is in Palmdale, CA, at an elevation of 2,542 ft MSL. Coordinates: 34.6294, -118.0850.

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Weather is live from the Aviation Weather Center; airport facility data is from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle). For planning and education only; always verify against official sources. Open KPMD in a full tool: METAR/TAF decoder, crosswind calculator, sun & night times, or the density altitude calculator. Planning from here? Find the nearest airport with fuel or an approach, or check whether an IFR alternate is required.