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Tucson International Airport traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Tucson International Airport (TUS · KTUS) is 3,443 ft MSL · 800 AGL as published by the FAA, and 22, 30 are charted right traffic.

All of Tucson 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 KTUS reports it.

5,000 ftNMNxw 036°downwind 306°base 216°final 126°45° entry12223004

RWY 12LEFT traffic

Heading
126° mag · 135° true
Dimensions
10,996 × 150 ft
TPA
3,443 ft MSL · 800 AGL · charted
Surface
Asphalt
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + MALSR
ILS
ILS/DME · CAT I · LOC 111.7 (TUS) · GS 3.00°
CTAF
122.95
More details — RWY 12
Threshold elev
2,578 ft
Markings
precision
Threshold crossing height
73 ft
TDZ elevation
2,599 ft
Declared TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA
10,996 / 10,996 / 10,996 / 10,996 ft
Arresting gear
BAK-14

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. Surface: Grooved. Weight bearing: Single wheel 120k, Double wheel 214k, Dual tandem 405k, Double dual tandem 918k.

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

Pattern direction by runway

RunwayPatternHeadingPattern altitude
04 Left traffic 036° mag 3,443 ft MSL · 800 AGL
22 Right traffic 216° mag 3,443 ft MSL · 800 AGL
12 Left traffic 126° mag 3,443 ft MSL · 800 AGL
30 Right traffic 306° mag 3,443 ft MSL · 800 AGL

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

Flying the pattern at KTUS

Tucson International Airport is towered, working 118.3. 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: 22, 30. 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 KTUS?

The FAA publishes a traffic pattern altitude of 800 ft AGL for Tucson International Airport, which is 3,443 ft MSL on the altimeter with the field at 2,643 ft.

Does KTUS have right traffic?

Yes, on 2 runway ends: 22, 30. Every other end at Tucson International Airport is standard left traffic.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KTUS?

Tucson International Airport is towered (118.3), 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 KTUS

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.