Vandenberg Space Force Base traffic pattern

Pattern altitude at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VBG · KVBG) is 1,400 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 Vandenberg Space 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 KVBG reports it.

5,000 ftNMNxw 035°downwind 305°base 215°final 125°45° entry1230

RWY 12LEFT traffic

Heading
125° mag · 137° true
Dimensions
15,000 × 200 ft
TPA
1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) · standard
Surface
Concrete
Lights
4-light PAPI (left) (3°) + ALSF2
ILS
ILS · CAT I · LOC 110.1 (BVD) · GS 3.00°
CTAF
124.95
More details — RWY 12
Threshold elev
238 ft
Markings
precision
Threshold crossing height
72 ft
TDZ elevation
265 ft

Condition: Good. Edge lights: High. PCN 53.

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

Pattern direction by runway

RunwayPatternHeadingPattern altitude
12 Left traffic 125° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
30 Left traffic 305° mag 1,400 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)

No pattern altitude is published for KVBG; 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 KVBG

Vandenberg Space Force Base is towered, working 124.95. 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 KVBG?

Vandenberg Space 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 1,400 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 KVBG have right traffic?

No. All 2 runway ends at Vandenberg Space Force Base use standard left traffic, so no right pattern is charted here.

Do I fly a standard pattern at KVBG?

Vandenberg Space Force Base is towered (124.95), 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 KVBG

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.