Ellsworth AFB Airport

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METAR: METAR KRCA 050855Z AUTO 32012KT 10SM CLR 01/M03 A2972 RMK AO2 SLPNO T00111032 58000 $

TAF: TAF AMD KRCA 050430Z 0504/0609 25009KT 9999 FEW075 BKN200 622005 QNH2975INS BECMG 0505/0506 29010G15KT 9999 SCT040 BKN075 620753 QNH2975INS TEMPO 0506/0508 6000 -SHRASN BECMG 0516/0517 31015G25KT 9999 SCT012 QNH2980INS BECMG 0522/0523 33009KT 9999 SCT010 QNH2979INS TX02/0521Z TNM01/0506Z LAST NO AMDS AFT 0505 NEXT 0511

Reporting Station: KRCA (0.9 NM at True Heading of 313)
Visibility: 10+SM
Flight Category: VFR
Altimeter: 1006.5
Temperature: 1.1 C (33.98 F)
Dewpoint: -3.2 C (26.24 F)

Location

Latitude: 
44-08-42.3400N (44.145094)
Longitude: 
103-06-12.8400W (-103.103567)
Elevation: 
3276.3 feet MSL (999 m MSL)
Magnetic Variation: 
6.9 E (as of December 2025 from WMM2020 model)
Time Zone: 
UTC -7.0 (Standard Time)
UTC -6.0 (Daylight Savings Time)
From City: 
05 N.M. SW of Rapid City, South Dakota
Found On: 
Cheyenne Chart
FAA Region: 
AGL

Contacts

Manager: 
Air Force owned: 
BASE OPERATIONS
44TH CSG, ELLSWORTH AFB
RAPID CITY, SD 57706
605-385-1052
U.S. AIR FORCE
44TH CSG, ELLSWORTH AFB
RAPID CITY, SD 57706

Operations

Airport Status: 
Operational
Facility Use: 
Private
Type: 
Airport
Activation Date: 
11/1938
Control tower: 
Yes
Attendance (Months/Days/Hours): 
Months/Days/Hours
ALL/FRI/1400-0100Z++
Boundary ARTCC: 
ZDV (Denver)
Responsible ARTCC: 
ZDV (Denver)
Lighting Schedule: 
SEE RMK
Segmented Circle Indicator: 
No
Traffic Pattern Altitude (MSL): 
4276 feet (1303 m)
NOTAMs Facility: 
RAP
NOTAM-D Service: 
Yes
Military Landing Rights: 
No

Based Aircraft

Annual Operations (as of )

Communications

Tower:  ELLSWORTH
126.05
253.5
Hrs: 1400-0730Z++ MON-THU, 1400-0100Z++ FRI, CLSD SAT, SUN, GLOBAL STRIKE COMD DOWN DAYS, & HOL.
Ground:  121.8
275.8
Approach:  ELLSWORTH
119.5
259.1
Hrs: H24 1300Z++ MON THRU 0500Z++ SAT, 1300-0500Z++ SAT-SUN, OTHER TIMES CTC DENVER CENTER 127.95 338.2

DENVER ARTCC
Departure:  ELLSWORTH
119.5
259.1
Hrs: H24 1300Z++ MON THRU 0500Z++ SAT, 1300-0500Z++ SAT-SUN, OTHER TIMES CTC DENVER CENTER 127.95 338.2

DENVER ARTCC
ATIS:  120.625
269.9
Hrs: SAME AS ATCT HRS.
EMERG:  121.5
SOF:  311.0
COMD POST:  321.0
PTD:  372.2
EMERG:  243.0
PMSV METRO:  375.775

  • RADAR - SEE TERMINAL FLIP FOR RADAR MINIMA.
  • APCH/DEP CTL SVC PRVDD BY DENVER ARTCC (ZDV) ON 127.95/338.2 (CRAWFORD RCAG) WHEN ELLSWORTH APCH (RCA) CLSD.
  • FULL SVC AVBL 1430-2300Z++ 28 OSS DSN 385-1042, C605-385-1042, ALTN SVC AVBL SCOTT AFB 15 OWS DSN 618-256-3663, C618-256-2165.
  • FULL SVC AVBL 1430-2300Z++ DSN 385-1052, C605-385-1052.
  • DIGITAL ASR NO-NOTAM MP: 0500-1100Z++ MON-FRI.
   

Fixed Based Operators (FBOs) & Fuel

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Area Code: 605

Business Name Frequency Phone Fuel Grade
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Flight Service Stations

Primary Alternate
FSS on Field:  N
FSS Name (ID):  Huron(HON)
Frequency: 
Toll Free Phone:  1-800-WX-BRIEF

Instrument Procedures / Charts


FAA Terminal Procedures valid from 0901Z 11/27/25 to 0901Z 12/25/25.

There are various types of charts available for an airport. They are listed in the Page Type column. Here is a legend for those types:

APD - Airport Diagram
DP - Departure Procedure Charts
HOT - Hot Spots
IAP - Instrument Approach Procedure Charts
MIN - Minimums
STAR - Standard Terminal Arrival Charts
Page Type Page Name Volume Action Since
Last Cycle
APD (Military) AIRPORT DIAGRAM NC-1
DP (Military) ELLSWORTH THREE NC-1
IAP (Military) HI-ILS OR LOC Z RWY 13 NC-1
IAP (Military) HI-ILS OR LOC Z RWY 31 NC-1
IAP (Military) HI-TACAN Z RWY 13 NC-1
IAP (Military) HI-TACAN Z RWY 31 NC-1
IAP (Military) ILS OR LOC Y RWY 13 NC-1
IAP (Military) ILS OR LOC Y RWY 31 NC-1
IAP (Military) TACAN Y RWY 13 NC-1
IAP (Military) TACAN Y RWY 31 NC-1
IAP (Military) TACAN-A NC-1
MIN (Military) TAKEOFF MINIMUMS NC-1
Terminal Procedures are only available for airports in several countries with more being added all the time. If you are looking for a specific country's charts, please send an email to support(at)airportguide.com stating the country name. This will be used to prioritize the implementation.

Navigation Aids (Navaids) near RCA

Navigational Aid (NAVAID) distances from the airport are listed in Nautical Miles (NM).

Nearby Airports with Fuel

Dist (NM) Name (Airport IDs) True Hdg Mag Hdg Fuel Grade
6.3 Rapid City Regional Airport
(RAP KRAP RAP)
161 154 100LL, Jet A
20.2 Sturgis Municipal Airport
(49B)
324 317 100LL, Jet A
35.6 Black Hills-Clyde Ice Field Airport
(SPF KSPF SPF)
304 297 100LL, Jet A
48.0 Belle Fourche Municipal Airport
(KEFC EFC)
317 310 100LL, Jet A
48.2 Hot Springs Municipal Airport
(KHSR HSR)
194 187 100LL
54.5 Mondell Field Airport
(ECS KECS ECS)
253 245 100LL, Jet A
65.1 Philip Airport
(PHP KPHP PHP)
94 88 100LL
78.5 Chadron Municipal Airport
(CDR KCDR CDR)
179 172 100LL, Jet A
86.7 Bison Municipal Airport
(6V5)
17 10 100LL
89.9 Gordon Municipal Airport
(GRN KGRN GRN)
152 146 100LL

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS)

NOTAMs

List ALL KRCA NOTAMs

NOTAM Radius Search

NOTAMS within

Enter NOTAM radius search distance

This field is required
NM of KRCA

NOTAM Flight Path Search (Enter from two to five locations below)

NOTAMS within

Enter NOTAM radius search distance

This field is required
NM of KRCA

Remarks

A110-12 OIL: O-132-133-148
A110-13 TRAN ALERT: SVC UNAVBL. FLEET SVC UNAVBL.
A110-14 RSTD: ALL ACFT MAINT AT OR ABV 7700 FT & 2640 FT HORIZONTAL SEPARATION IN THE IMMED VCNTY OF MT. RUSHMORE; AVOID DEVILS TWR BY 5 NM. PPR ALL FULL STOP ACFT CTC BASE OPS NO EARLIER THAN 72 HR PRIOR TO ETA. FAX DSN 675-1053, C605-385-1053.
A110-19 MISC: INBD VIP CODE 7 OR HI, CTC RAYMOND 33 15 MIN PRIOR TO BLOCK TIME WITH NAME, RANK AND PURPOSE OF VISIT.
A110-20 FM OBS POINT WX TECHNICIANS UNABLE TO SEE THE TDZ OF BOTH RYS.
A110-21 RSTD: PPR MIN 24 HR NTC, CTC DSN 675-1052/2860, C605-385-1052/2860.
A110-23 RSTD: BIRD WATCH COND - (SVR) NO APCH/DEP/LDG WO 28 OG/CC APVL; (MOD) - FULL STOP ONLY, ARR, DEP RQR 28 OG/CC APVL. CREWS SHOULD COMPLY WITH OWNING MAJCOM GUIDANCE REQ BWC UPDATE BFR EACH APCH PRIOR TO RCHN THE FAF. (LOW) NML OPRN PROCS IN EFCT.
A110-26 GLOBAL STRIKE COMD RSRS APPLIED TO GLOBAL STRIKE COMD ONLY
A110-31 EXTV GENERAL AVN AND COML TFC IN VCNTY OF RAPID CITY ARPT 6.5 NM SE OF ARPT.
A110-33 CSTMS/AG/IMG: LTD TO US DOD ACFT ONLY; AVBL WITH 24 HR NOTICE. IMG SERVICE UNAVBL FOR NON-DOD PERS. CTC 28 OSS/OSAA, DSN 675-1052/2860, C605-385-1052/2860.
A110-34 RSTD: AIRCREW SHOULD AVOID BEAR BUTTE, DEFINED BY THE RCA 317/25 FIX, BY FLYING NO LOWER THAN 10,000 FT MSL WITHIN 2NM.
A110-35 FUEL: A++. HOT REFUEL AVBL TO B-1 AND EA-18 ACFT ONLY.
A110-37 CAUTION: MIGRATORY BIRD ACT BASH (PHASE II) MAY AND AUG-OCT OR ACTIVE VIA NOTAM. DEER HAZ, RPT ANY ACT TO TWR/PTD.
A110-38 COMSEC ISSUING AND CLASSIFIED MATERIAL STORAGE UNAVBL FROM AMOPS, CTC COMD POST FOR STORAGE.
A110-39 MISC: WX STN AVBL 1430-2300Z++ EXCLDN WKND/HOL/AFGSC FAM DAYS; CTC COMD POST DSN 675-3800 FOR WX PATCH.
A110-40 MISC: TRAN ACFT REQ FOR APCH AND PATTERN WORK, RQR 24 HR NTC, CTC OPS DSN 675-1052/2860, C605-385-1052/2860.
A110-41 AFLD CLSD DUE TO CONST ON RWY 13/31. ATC TWR CLSD. AFLD MGMT AVBL 1430-2300Z++ EXCLDG WKNDS, HOL & GLOBAL STRIKE COMD DOWN DAYS.
A110-42 PRIM FREQ 311.0.
A110-43 MISC: WX STN AUGMENTS FOR VIS AT OR BELOW 3 SM WHEN NEEDEDED. VIS LTD NE TO SE DUE TO BLDGS. RWY 31/13 RVR EQPT UNSVC.
A110-45 'VERIFY POWDER RIVER TRAINING COMPLEX STATUS BEFORE FILING IFR FPL' VIA SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE SITE: HTTPS://SUA.FAA.GOV/SUA/'
A110-46 WHEN ATCT CLSD, FOR CD CTC DENVER ARTCC AT 303-651-4257.
A110-47 LGT: RWY 31-13 NSTD ALSF-1, MISSING LAST CNTRLN BARRETTE PRIOR TO THLD.
A110-48 MISC: ARFF CRITICAL LVL OF SVC (RED) FOR ALL NFPA CAT AND USAF VEH SETS DUE TO MANNING ON WKEND, FEDERAL HOL, & AFGS FAMILY DAYS.
A110-49 MISC: RWY 31 FMQ-19 LIGHTNING SENSOR INACCURATE, CTC 28 WX DSN 385-1042 FOR INFO.
A110-50 MISC: ARFF RDCD LEVEL OF SVC (YELLOW) FOR NFPA CAT 9-10 & USAF VEH SETS 5-6. DUE TO MANNING. OPTIMUM LEVEL OF SVC (GREEN) FOR NFPA CAT 1-8 & USAF VEH SETS 1-4. ONLY APPLICABLE WKD EXCLD FEDERAL HOL & USAF GLOBAL STRIKE FAMILY DAYS. CTC FD AT C605-385-1113 FOR FURTHER INFO.
A110-8 CAUTION: HI POTENTIAL FOR MID-AIR COLLISION EXISTS WITH ACFT FR RAPID CITY ARPT LCTD APRX 6.5 NM SE OF ARPT.
A110-9 JASU: (AM32A-95) (A/M32A-86)
A16 BASE OPS V675-1052/2861.
A17 CLSD WKND, HOLS AND GLOBAL STRIKE COMD (GSC) DOWN DAYS.
A81-APT AIRFIELD LIGHTING ONLY AVAILABLE DURING TWR HOURS.
E147 TPA: RECTANGULAR 4500 FT MSL, 5000 FT MSL OVHD, AVOID OVFT OF BASE PROPER WHEN CRC TO LDG.

Runways

Runway Summary

Runways: 13/31
Longest Runway: 13/31 is 13497 ft (4114 m) long
Runways with an Instrument Approach: 13, 31

RCA Airport Runway Details

Runway 13/31  13497 ft x 300 ft (4114 m x 91 m)
Runway Length Source:  MILITARY as of 04/12/2012
Surface:  Concrete - No special surface treatment
Runway Pavement Class:  73 /R/C/W/T
Runway Edge Lights:  High Intensity

Runway 13

Runway 31

Elevation: 
3276.3 3178.5
Latitude: 
44-09-31.9081N 44-07-52.7670N
Longitude: 
103-07-14.6810W 103-05-11.0052W
Runway True Alignment: 
138 318
ILS Type: 
ILS ILS
Glide Path Angle: 
3.0 degrees 3.0 degrees
Traffic Pattern: 
Left Left
Runway Markings Type: 
Precision Instrument Precision Instrument
Runway Markings Condition:
Good Good
Visual Glide Slope Indicators: 
4-Light PAPI On Left Side Of Runway 4-Light PAPI On Left Side Of Runway
Runway Visual Range (RVR): 
Touchdown Touchdown
Approach Light System: 
Standard 2,400 Foot High Intensity Approach Lighting System With Sequenced Flashers, Cat. I Config. Standard 2,400 Foot High Intensity Approach Lighting System With Sequenced Flashers, Cat. I Config.
REIL: 
No No
Touchdown Lights: 
No No
Threshold Crossing Height: 
47 61

Services

Bottled Oxygen: 
None
Bulk Oxygen: 
None
Fuel Available: 
100LL
Landing Fees: 
No
Parking: 
Hangars and tiedowns available

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Maps & Diagrams

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RCA Diagram


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