KPMD

VFR

PALMDALE USAF PLANT 42

PALMDALE · CALIFORNIA

Elev
2,542.5'
Longest RWY
12,002'07/25
Tower
OPR 1330-0600Z++.
Status
Towered
Now--Z· METAR20:53Z
Airport diagram · tap to openMore charts →
Before you fly into KPMD
Conditions
VFR
Good for visual flying
Airport
Towered
OPR 1330-0600Z++. local · CTAF after hrs
Pattern alt
3,542.5'
MSL · field 2,542.5' + 1,000 AGL
Favored RWY
RWY 25
H/W +13 · X/W 1 kt L

METAR & TAF KPMD

Current METAR

Observed 20:53Z

KPMD 272053Z 26013G24KT 10SM CLR 17/01 A2996 RMK AO2 PK WND 23031/2014 SLP135 T01720006 58006
Wind
260° @ 13G24 kt
Visibility
10 SM
Temp / Dew
17°C / 1°C
Altimeter
29.96 inHg
Clouds
CLR
Density alt
3,343 ft
Ceiling
Unlimited
Rules
VFR

Airport info & contacts

Manager on record, flight service, ARTCC, attendance schedule and pattern altitude — published by the FAA and refreshed every 28 days.

Location

From city
3 NM NE
VFR sectional
LOS ANGELES
ARTCC
ZLA · LOS ANGELES
NOTAM facility
PMD (NOTAM-D)

Airport manager

Name
MATT FISHER
Address
2503 E AVE P, PALMDALE CA 93550-2196

Flight service · Hours

FSS RAL
RIVERSIDE1-800-WX-BRIEF
Attendance
  • 1330-0600Z++

Frequencies

Tap any row to copy the frequency to your clipboard.

Advisory / CTAF
ATIS / D-ATIS
Clearance / Ground
Tower / Local
Approach / Departure

Runways & pattern

Full page

Runway & wind

tap a runway
260° · 13 kt
RWY 25
254°M
Head/Tail
+13 kt
Crosswind
1 kt L

Pattern entry · RWY 25

RIGHT TRAFFIC
CrosswindCrosswindDownwindDownwindBaseBaseFinalFinal45° entry45° entryRWY 25 · 254° · RIGHT TRAFFICPattern 3,543 ft MSL
RunwayHeading (°M)LengthSurfaceTraffic
07/25Favored74° / 254°12,002 ftCONC25 R
04/2240° / 220°12,001 ftCONC04 R

Runway end performance

EndTORATODAASDALDAVGSIApproach lightsObstruction
07PAPI 4-box left(3°)
25PAPI 4-box left(3°)
04PAPI 4-box left(3°)hill, slope 35
22PAPI 4-box left(3°)

Declared distances in feet. TORA = takeoff run available, TODA = takeoff distance, ASDA = accelerate-stop, LDA = landing distance.

Airport sketch

Runways drawn to scale from FAA survey coordinates, rendered over live satellite imagery. Not for navigation.

© Esri

Approaches & charts

ILS · 1

RWY 25
LS · CAT I
PMD
110.7
HI-ILS Y OR LOC Y RWY 25
KPMD · IAP
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Services on the field

Fuel grades, oxygen, maintenance, ramp storage and lighting — as declared to the FAA by the airport operator.

Fuel & services

Fuel
Not available

Ramp & ground

Transient storage
  • Not published
Landing fee
Yes
Customs
Not available
Lighting schedule
SEE RMK
Beacon schedule
SS-SR
Beacon
White / Green (civil land)(WG)
Wind indicator
Yes
Segmented circle
Yes

Fuel & FBOs

Cheapest 100LL and Jet A on the field and nearby. Always confirm with the FBO before taxi.

Airport notes

Surface conditions, obstructions, local procedures, lighting outages and other notes published with each FAA cycle.

General notes

  • Winds are estimated due to FMQ-13 wind sensors being accurate to within only plus or minus 2 knots. Air traffic control and weather will not include or relay wind corrections into forecasts or phraseology. Therefore, aircrews will incorporate a plus or minus 2 knot accuracy into their decision-making process for flying operations.Show FAA
  • Taxiway L between runways 04/22 and passenger terminal is unlighted and usable for daylight visual flight rules only.Show FAA
  • A plus plus fuel is available. No transient aircraft fuel service is available. Limited fueling is available for government aircraft only from 1600 to 2300 Zulu time Monday through Friday. A 24-hour prior notice with airfield manager is required. No same-day requests. Gas and go is unavailable. Expect more than two-hour delay for fuel.Show FAA
  • Contractor leased sites are intended for aircraft based therein. Entry gates and aprons may not meet Air Force obstacle standards.Show FAA
  • Flight plans must be filed and activated with Plant 42 airfield management. Use flight service when Plant 42 airfield management is closed.Show FAA
  • Bird hazard potential exists. Migratory season phase two is from October 1 to March 31. During bird watch condition moderate, takeoff and landing are permitted. During bird watch condition severe, takeoff and landing are prohibited.Show FAA
  • No fleet service available. No follow-me service available. Expect progressive taxi to park. Aircrew responsible for aircraft pinning and safing.Show FAA
  • Caution: Civil aircraft may not be granted access to Palmdale USAF Plant 42 Class D airspace for practice approaches or transitions over airport boundaries.Show FAA
  • Caution: Runway 25 nonstandard markings include a spot landing zone marking located at 6000 feet remaining. Runway 07-25 has deceptive surface markings that exceed the standard by approximately 50 feet.Show FAA
  • Restricted to official business only. This is a military airport. Civilian use requires USAF approval and DD Form 2400/01/02. Prior permission required for full stop landings only. Call 661-275-9342.Show FAA
  • Military use: Assault landing zone located in the first 6,000 feet at the east end of taxiway B. Runway 252 markings are only for C-130 assault operations; one-way landing only.Show FAA
  • All departing aircraft must file a flight plan with Plant 42 airfield management operations.Show FAA
  • Restricted: Overnight parking unauthorized on Charlie ramp.Show FAA
  • Caution: Use extreme caution for unmanned aerial systems operations in the vicinity.Show FAA
  • Communications security storage is unavailable.Show FAA
  • Base operations operate from 1330 to 0600 Zulu time and are closed on federal holidays.Show FAA
  • Unlighted obstructions surround the airfield.Show FAA
  • Drainage ditches parallel runway 22 from taxiway S to taxiway U.Show FAA
  • Parking ramp is located south of runway 22 and taxiway V and is not visible from the tower.Show FAA
  • Industrial installation with no transportation, lodging, or normal service available on site.Show FAA
  • Service JASU power cars are unavailable.Show FAA
  • Caution: Various aircraft test operations markings are painted in white on taxiways uniformly.Show FAA
  • Transportation alert two of two: Unable to service aircraft with ordnance. Limited ground support equipment available. No potable water service. No transportation maintenance available. Ground service unavailable when lightning is within 5 nautical miles.Show FAA

Lighting notes

  • PAPI for runways 04, 07, 22, and 25 operate continuously.Show FAA

Runway surface & condition

  • 072/252Runway 072/252 is used as a military assault strip.Show FAA
  • 07/25Runway 07/25 has 1000 feet of asphalt overrun on each end. The overruns are in poor condition and are for emergency use only.Show FAA

Approach & departure obstructions

  • 07Runway 07 is unusable beyond 5.0 nautical miles due to terrain.Show FAA
  • 04Runway 04 is unusable beyond 5.0 nautical miles.Show FAA
  • 04There is an obstruction 23,000 feet from the threshold of runway 04.Show FAA

Other notes

  • This airport has been surveyed by the National Geodetic Survey.Show FAA
  • Established prior to May 15, 1959.Show FAA
  • Official business only. Military airport. Civil use requires United States Air Force approval and DD Form 2400/01/02.Show FAA
  • Primarily training for Boeing 747, 707, and 727 aircraft.Show FAA
  • Traffic pattern altitude overhead is 1957 feet. The rectangular pattern altitude is 1457 feet. Expect right traffic for runways 04 and 25.Show FAA
  • 3Closed on federal holidays.Show FAA
  • 3Other times closed to all traffic without written approval.Show FAA
  • MANAGERCivilian airport contact is at 39516 North 25th Street East, Palmdale, California 93550, currently closed.Show FAA
  • OWNERKen Neitzel is the flight director. Phone 661-275-9341.Show FAA
  • MANAGERChief of United States Air Force airfield operations.Show FAA

VFR map & nearby airports

VFR sectional. Tap any ICAO chip to open that airport.

Key facts · KPMD

Answer card
ICAO
KPMD
Name
PALMDALE USAF PLANT 42
Location
PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA
Elevation
2,542.5 ft MSL
Traffic pattern altitude
3,542.5 ft MSL (1,000 AGL)
Control tower
Towered · OPR 1330-0600Z++.
Total runways
2
Longest runway
07/25 · 12,002 ft
Published ILS approaches
1
Published frequencies
11
Magnetic variation
12°
Current flight rules
VFR
Current wind
260° at 13 kt
Favored runway now
RWY 25

Palmdale USAF Plant 42 sits in Palmdale, California in the Antelope Valley. Field elevation is 2,542.5 ft MSL. The airport has two concrete runways. Runway 07/25 is 12,002 ft. Runway 04/22 is 12,001 ft. The tower is open OPR 1330-0600Z++. One ILS is published for runway 25. Pattern altitude is not published, so a light piston pilot should verify the current traffic pattern in the Chart Supplement or with the tower before arrival.

This is a military field with some special operating limits. Departing aircraft must file a flight plan with Plant 42 airfield management. Flight plans also must be activated there. If that office is closed, use flight service. Published remarks also note bird hazard potential, with seasonal migration from October 1 through March 31. During bird watch condition moderate, takeoff and landing are permitted. During severe bird watch condition, they are not.

No on-field FBOs are listed. Fuel service is limited and is for government aircraft only. The field also notes that taxiway L between runways 04/22 and the passenger terminal is unlighted and for daylight VFR only. PAPI is continuous on runways 04, 07, 22 and 25. Winds are estimated with a stated plus or minus 2 knot accuracy. Plan your takeoff and landing with that in mind.

Frequently asked questions

What is the pattern altitude at KPMD?
Pattern altitude is not published in the facts provided. Verify the current traffic pattern in the FAA Chart Supplement or with the tower before you go.
What are the tower hours at Palmdale USAF Plant 42?
The tower is published as OPR 1330-0600Z++. That is the operating window shown in the facts.
Does KPMD have an ILS approach?
Yes. One ILS approach is published. It serves runway 25.
Which runway is the longest at KPMD?
Runway 07/25 is the longest runway at 12,002 ft. Runway 04/22 is 12,001 ft.
What fuel is available on the field at KPMD?
No on-field FBOs are listed. The remarks say plus plus fuel is available. Transient aircraft fuel service is not available. Fuel is limited to government aircraft only under the published conditions.
Do I need to file a flight plan for KPMD?
Yes. The remarks say all departing aircraft must file a flight plan with Plant 42 airfield management operations. Flight plans must also be activated there. Use flight service when airfield management is closed.
Are there any bird hazard or seasonal restrictions at KPMD?
Yes. Bird hazard potential exists, with migratory season phase two from October 1 through March 31. During bird watch condition moderate, takeoff and landing are permitted. During severe bird watch condition, they are prohibited.
Can I use taxiway L at night at KPMD?
No. Taxiway L between runways 04/22 and the passenger terminal is unlighted. It is usable for daylight VFR only.

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