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Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC · KSJC) is 1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and 30R, 12R are charted right traffic.

All of Norman Y. Mineta San Jose 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 KSJC reports it.

5,000 ftNMNxw 036°downwind 306°base 216°final 126°45° entry12L30R12R30L

RWY 12LLEFT traffic

Heading
126° mag · 139° true
Dimensions
11,000 × 150 ft
TPA
1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface
Concrete
Lights
4-light PAPI (right) (3°)
Displaced thr
1,307 ft
CTAF
124.0
More details — RWY 12L
Threshold elev
38 ft
Markings
precision
Approach obstacle
Pole, 32 ft, 1,441 ft from threshold, 580 ft R of centerline — 38:1 slope to clear
Threshold crossing height
70 ft
TDZ elevation
44 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
10,139 / 11,000 / 10,139 / 8,831 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 1116k.

Pattern side + displaced threshold: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: FAA runway-end coordinates

Pattern direction by runway

RunwayPatternHeadingPattern altitude
12L Left traffic 126° mag 1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
30R Right traffic 306° mag 1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
12R Right traffic 126° mag 1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
30L Left traffic 306° mag 1,100 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KSJC; 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 KSJC

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is towered, working 124.0. 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.

Watch the right traffic ends here: 30R, 12R. A right pattern at a field where the other end is left is the single most common place to end up pointing at opposing traffic. The full entry procedure is here →

Frequently asked

What is the traffic pattern altitude at KSJC?

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose 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 1,100 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 KSJC have right traffic?

Yes, on 2 runway ends: 30R, 12R. Every other end at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is standard left traffic.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KSJC?

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is towered (124.0), 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 KSJC

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.