Chicago Rockford International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD · KRFD) is 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and every runway end is standard left traffic.

All of Chicago Rockford 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 KRFD reports it.

5,000 ftNMNxw 098°downwind 008°base 278°final 188°45° entry19250107

RWY 19LEFT traffic

Heading
188° mag · 185° true
Dimensions
8,200 × 150 ft
TPA
1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface
ASPH-CONC
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°)
CTAF
122.95
More details — RWY 19
Threshold elev
736 ft
Markings
precision
Approach obstacle
Tree, 65 ft, 2,613 ft from threshold, 561 ft R of centerline — 37:1 slope to clear
Threshold crossing height
75 ft
TDZ elevation
736 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
8,199 / 8,199 / 8,099 / 8,099 ft
End lights
REIL, 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

RunwayPatternHeadingPattern altitude
01 Left traffic 008° mag 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
19 Left traffic 188° mag 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
07 Left traffic 068° mag 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
25 Left traffic 248° mag 1,700 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KRFD; 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 KRFD

Chicago Rockford International Airport is towered, working 118.1. 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 KRFD?

Chicago Rockford 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 1,700 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 KRFD have right traffic?

No. All 4 runway ends at Chicago Rockford International Airport use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KRFD?

Chicago Rockford International Airport is towered (118.1), 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 KRFD

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.