McChord Air Force Base traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at McChord Air Force Base (TCM · KTCM) is 1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) by the standard convention — none is published for this field, and 34 is charted right traffic.

All of McChord 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 KTCM reports it.

RWY 16LEFT traffic

Heading: 165° mag · 180° true
Dimensions: 10,108 × 150 ft
TPA: 1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface: ASPH-CONC
Lights: 4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + ALSF1
ILS: LOC/GS · CAT I · LOC 109.9 (MAR) · GS 3.00°

More details — RWY 16

Threshold elev: 282 ft
Markings: precision
Threshold crossing height: 68 ft
TDZ elevation: 286 ft
End lights: centerline
Arresting gear: BAK-12B

Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. PCN 60.

Pattern side: FAA NASR · TPA standard 1,000 ft AGL (not charted) · layout: schematic (headings + lengths)

Pattern direction by runway

Runway	Pattern	Heading	Pattern altitude
16	Left traffic	165° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
34	Right traffic	345° mag	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
160	Left traffic	—	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
340	Left traffic	—	1,300 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KTCM; 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 KTCM

McChord Air Force Base is towered, working 124.8. 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: 34. 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 KTCM?

McChord Air Force Base 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 1,300 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 KTCM have right traffic?

Yes, on one runway end: 34. Every other end at McChord Air Force Base is standard left traffic.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KTCM?

McChord Air Force Base is towered (124.8), 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 KTCM

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.