Ellsworth Air Force Base traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Ellsworth Air Force Base (RCA · KRCA) is 7,776 ft MSL · 4,500 AGL as published by the FAA, and every runway end is standard left traffic.

All of Ellsworth Air Force Base — 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 KRCA reports it.

RWY 13LEFT traffic

Heading: 130° mag · 138° true
Dimensions: 13,497 × 300 ft
TPA: 7,776 ft MSL · 4,500 AGL · charted
Surface: Concrete
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + ALSF1
ILS: ILS · CAT I · LOC 111.5 (ELR) · GS 3.30°

More details — RWY 13

Threshold elev: 3,276 ft
Markings: precision
Threshold crossing height: 50 ft
TDZ elevation: 3,276 ft

Edge lights: High. PCN 73.

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

Pattern direction by runway

Runway	Pattern	Heading	Pattern altitude
13	Left traffic	130° mag	7,776 ft MSL · 4,500 AGL
31	Left traffic	310° mag	7,776 ft MSL · 4,500 AGL

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

Flying the pattern at KRCA

Ellsworth Air Force Base is towered, working 126.05. 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.

All ends are left traffic, which is the FAR 91.126 default — turns to the left unless the field charts otherwise. The full entry procedure is here →

Frequently asked

What is the traffic pattern altitude at KRCA?

The FAA publishes a traffic pattern altitude of 4,500 ft AGL for Ellsworth Air Force Base, which is 7,776 ft MSL on the altimeter with the field at 3,276 ft.

Does KRCA have right traffic?

No. All 2 runway ends at Ellsworth Air Force Base use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KRCA?

Ellsworth Air Force Base is towered (126.05), 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 KRCA

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.