Ellsworth Air Force Base frequencies

Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA · KRCA) in Rapid City, SD is a towered field, staffed 1400-0730Z++ MON-THU, 1400-0100Z++ FRI, CLSD SAT, SUN, GLOBAL STRIKE COMD DOWN DAYS, & HOL.. 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 Ellsworth Air Force Base — runways, frequencies, charts and live weather

When the KRCA tower is closed

The tower is staffed 1400-0730Z++ MON-THU, 1400-0100Z++ FRI, CLSD SAT, SUN, GLOBAL STRIKE COMD DOWN DAYS, & HOL.. Outside those hours Ellsworth Air Force Base has no operating control tower: it becomes a self announce field on 126.05, and separation from other traffic is yours, not a controller's. Report your position and intentions on entry and on each leg of the pattern.

Runway lighting is often pilot controlled once the tower closes — check the KRCA airport page for the click sequence, and what to say on the radio.

Before taxi Ellsworth

ATIS 120.625: 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.

Taxi & takeoff Ellsworth

Ground 121.8: 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 126.05: 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 Ellsworth

App/Dep 119.5: One radar controller working both arrivals and departures — normal at a smaller TRACON. The same frequency takes your climb out and your inbound call.

Also

Flight service 127.95 (LOW): 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 (11 more)

243.0	EMERG
253.5	LCL/P
259.1	APCH/P
269.9	ATIS
275.8	GND/P
289.4	DEP/P
311.0	SOF
321.0	COMD POST
338.2	CRAWFORD RCAG (LOW)
372.2	PTD
375.775	PMSV METRO

Every KRCA frequency, as one table

ATIS	120.625
Ground	121.8
Tower	126.05
Flight service	127.95 (LOW)
Emergency	121.5
App/Dep	119.5

Frequently asked

What is the tower frequency at KRCA?

Ellsworth Air Force Base tower is 126.05, calling "Ellsworth Tower". The tower is staffed 1400-0730Z++ MON-THU, 1400-0100Z++ FRI, CLSD SAT, SUN, GLOBAL STRIKE COMD DOWN DAYS, & HOL..

What frequency do I use at KRCA when the tower is closed?

Outside 1400-0730Z++ MON-THU, 1400-0100Z++ FRI, CLSD SAT, SUN, GLOBAL STRIKE COMD DOWN DAYS, & HOL., Ellsworth Air Force Base has no operating control tower and becomes a self announce field. Use 126.05 as the CTAF and report your position and intentions — there is nobody to clear you, so separation is yours.

What is the ground frequency at KRCA?

Ground control at Ellsworth Air Force Base is 121.8. 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 KRCA?

ATIS at Ellsworth Air Force Base is 120.625. Listen before your first call and report the letter you have.

What is the approach frequency for KRCA?

App/Dep for Ellsworth Air Force Base is 119.5, working as "Ellsworth". Call inbound for flight following or to begin an instrument approach.

More about KRCA

Frequencies from FAA NASR. For planning and education only; always verify against official sources.