U72

VFR

UPPER LOON CREEK USFS

CHALLIS · IDAHO

Elev
5,500'
Longest RWY
Tower
None
Status
Uncontrolled
Now--Z· METAR23:55Z
VFR sectional · U72
Tap an ICAO chip to open that airportExpand →
Before you fly into U72
Conditions
VFR
Good for visual flying
Airport
Non-towered
Self-announce on CTAF
Pattern alt
6,500'
MSL · field 5,500' + 1,000 AGL
Favored RWY
Calm
No wind component

METAR & TAF U72

U72 does not publish a METAR.

Showing the nearest reporting station: KLLJ (CHALLIS) · 26.2 NM away. Conditions at U72 may differ.

METAR · KLLJ

Observed 23:55Z

KLLJ 272355Z AUTO 33004KT 10SM FEW085 09/M11 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP111 60000 T00891111 10100 20044 56004
Wind
330° @ 4 kt
Visibility
10 SM
Temp / Dew
9°C / -11°C
Altimeter
29.87 inHg
Clouds
FEW
Density alt
6,162 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
26 NM NW
VFR sectional
GREAT FALLS
ARTCC
ZLC · SALT LAKE CITY
NOTAM facility
BOI (NOTAM-D)

Airport manager

Name
MIDDLE FORK DIST RANGER
Address
P.O. BOX 750 HIGHWAY 93, CHALLIS ID 83226

Flight service · Hours

FSS BOI
BOISE1-800-WX-BRIEF
Attendance
  • Unattended

Frequencies

Tap any row to copy the frequency to your clipboard.

Advisory / CTAF

Runways & pattern

Full page

Runway & wind

tap a runway
330° · 4 kt

Pattern entry · RWY

No runway selected.
RunwayHeading (°M)LengthSurfaceTraffic

Approaches & charts

Chart Supplement
U72 · CHART_SUPP
Can’t preview this PDF inline. Open it →

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
Oxygen (bottled)
Not available
Oxygen (bulk)
Not available
Airframe repair
Not available
Power plant repair
Not available

Ramp & ground

Transient storage
  • Tie-down
Landing fee
No fee published
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

  • This airport is recommended for experienced mountain pilots only.Show FAA
  • Trees and high terrain are present on both ends of runway 04/22, requiring a steep approach.Show FAA
  • There is no winter maintenance.Show FAA
  • Runway 04/22 has numerous additional obstructions on approach to both runway ends.Show FAA
  • For clearance delivery, contact Salt Lake ARTCC at 801-320-2568.Show FAA

Runway surface & condition

  • 04/22Landing is recommended on runway 22; takeoff on runway 04 when wind conditions permit.Show FAA

Approach & departure obstructions

  • 04Runway 04/22 edges and thresholds are marked with white rocks.Show FAA
  • 04A 90-foot or taller tree is located in close proximity to the left of runway end 04.Show FAA

Other notes

  • This airport existed prior to 31 December 1958.Show FAA

VFR map & nearby airports

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

Key facts · U72

Answer card
ICAO
U72
Name
UPPER LOON CREEK USFS
Location
CHALLIS, IDAHO
Elevation
5,500 ft MSL
Traffic pattern altitude
6,500 ft MSL (1,000 AGL)
Control tower
Non-towered (use CTAF)
Total runways
0
Longest runway
Published ILS approaches
0
Published frequencies
1
Magnetic variation
17°
Current flight rules
VFR
Current wind
330° at 4 kt
Favored runway now

Upper Loon Creek USFS Airport (U72) sits near Challis, Idaho. Field elevation is 5,500 ft MSL. There are no listed runways in the facts block, though the published remarks refer to runway 04/22. The airport is not towered. CTAF is 122.9. No ILS approaches are published.

Pattern altitude is not published. Use 6,500 ft MSL as the standard light-piston pattern reference only if that matches current local guidance. Verify before you go. The field is recommended for experienced mountain pilots only. Trees and high terrain are present on both ends of runway 04/22. The remarks also call for a steep approach. A 90-foot or taller tree sits close to the left of runway end 04. Runway edges and thresholds are marked with white rocks.

The published remarks also say landing is recommended on runway 22. Takeoff on runway 04 is recommended when wind conditions permit. There is no winter maintenance. No on-field FBOs are listed, so contact the airport operator directly or call the field on CTAF for current services before arrival. For clearance delivery, contact Salt Lake ARTCC at 801-320-2568. Expect a mountain strip with limited margin for error. Check density altitude, terrain and surface condition before committing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the field elevation at U72?
The field elevation is 5,500 ft MSL. That matters here because performance and climb margin can change fast in mountain conditions.
Is U72 a towered airport?
No. U72 is not towered. CTAF is 122.9.
Does U72 have any ILS approaches?
No ILS approaches are published for U72. Check the current FAA Chart Supplement for any other approach details before flying in.
What runway is used at Upper Loon Creek USFS?
The published remarks refer to runway 04/22. Landing is recommended on runway 22. Takeoff on runway 04 is recommended when wind conditions permit.
What is the pattern altitude at U72?
Pattern altitude is not published in the facts. Use the current FAA Chart Supplement or the airport operator for the correct traffic pattern guidance before arrival.
Is U72 suitable for low-time pilots?
The published remarks say it is recommended for experienced mountain pilots only. Trees, high terrain and additional obstructions are present on both ends of runway 04/22.
Are there winter operations or maintenance at U72?
No winter maintenance is provided. Verify surface condition and seasonal access with the airport operator before you go.
Who do I call for clearance delivery into U72?
For clearance delivery, contact Salt Lake ARTCC at 801-320-2568. Use the current FAA Chart Supplement for any updated routing or operating notes.

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