Rochester International Airport frequencies
Rochester International Airport (RST · KRST) in Rochester, MN is a towered field, staffed 0500-2300. 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 Rochester International Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weatherWhen the KRST tower is closed
The tower is staffed 0500-2300. Outside those hours Rochester International Airport has no operating control tower: it becomes a self announce field on 118.3, 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 KRST airport page for the click sequence, and what to say on the radio.
Before taxi Rochester
- ATIS 120.5
- 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 Rochester
- Ground 121.9
- 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 118.3
- 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 Rochester
- App/Dep 119.8
- 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
- CTAF 118.3
- The common frequency pilots use to announce themselves to each other at a field with no operating control tower. Nobody is controlling traffic — you are self announcing. Report your position and intentions on entry and on each leg of the pattern, and listen well before you transmit.
- UNICOM 122.95
- A ground station run by the FBO rather than the FAA, for fuel, parking and airport services. Use it for services. Where the field has no separate CTAF, the same frequency doubles as the advisory frequency.
- Flight service 132.35 (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 (4 more)
| 243.0 | EMERG |
|---|---|
| 251.125 | APCH/P DEP/P |
| 257.8 | LCL/P |
| 307.3 | ROCHESTER RCAG (LOW) |
Every KRST frequency, as one table
| ATIS | 120.5 |
|---|---|
| Ground | 121.9 |
| Tower | 118.3 |
| CTAF | 118.3 |
| UNICOM | 122.95 |
| Flight service | 132.35 (LOW) |
| Emergency | 121.5 |
| App/Dep | 119.8 |
Frequently asked
What is the tower frequency at KRST?
Rochester International Airport tower is 118.3, calling "Rochester Tower". The tower is staffed 0500-2300.
What frequency do I use at KRST when the tower is closed?
Outside 0500-2300, Rochester International Airport has no operating control tower and becomes a self announce field. Use 118.3 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 KRST?
Ground control at Rochester International Airport is 121.9. 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 KRST?
ATIS at Rochester International Airport is 120.5. Listen before your first call and report the letter you have.
What is the approach frequency for KRST?
App/Dep for Rochester International Airport is 119.8, working as "Rochester". Call inbound for flight following or to begin an instrument approach.
More about KRST
Frequencies from FAA NASR. For planning and education only; always verify against official sources.