Have you ever wondered how pilots safely land and take off at unfamiliar airports? What appears as a simple airport diagram actually contains layers of crucial information. Today we examine the flight guide for Anderson Regional Airport to reveal the meticulous details that ensure aviation safety.
Airport Overview: Location and Magnetic Variation
Anderson Regional Airport is located in Anderson, Indiana, with geographic coordinates approximately between 40°06.5' to 40°07.0' North latitude and 85°36.5' to 85°37.0' West longitude. The airport's magnetic variation is 5.4° West with an annual change of 0.0°. While this variation remains stable, pilots must account for it during navigation to maintain precise headings.
Key Navigation Note: Magnetic variation represents the angle between true north and magnetic north, requiring constant adjustment in flight instruments and navigation calculations.
Runway Specifications: Dimensions and Load Capacity
The airport features two primary runways:
- Runway 18-36: Measures 5,400 feet (1,646 meters) long by 100 feet (30 meters) wide with a pavement classification number (PCN) of 14 F/C/Y/T, indicating its weight-bearing capacity. The runway has a 0.7% upward slope.
- Runway 12-30: Features a higher PCN rating of 44 F/C/Y/T, accommodating larger, heavier aircraft.
Critical Safety Protocols
The flight guide emphasizes two vital safety procedures:
- Runway Crossing Clearance: Pilots must obtain explicit permission before crossing any runway.
- Readback Requirement: All runway holding instructions must be verbally repeated to confirm mutual understanding between pilots and air traffic control.
These measures prevent runway incursions—dangerous situations where unauthorized aircraft, vehicles, or personnel enter active runway areas, potentially causing catastrophic accidents.
Communication Frequencies
The airport maintains dedicated radio frequencies for different functions:
- Tower: 128.55 MHz
- Ground Control: 126.0 MHz
- Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS-3): 120.4 MHz
Obstacle Awareness and Elevation Data
With an airport elevation of 919 feet, pilots must account for surrounding obstacles like hangars during operations. Runway end elevations vary between 913 and 908 feet, requiring precise altitude calculations during approach and departure phases.
Airport Diagram Essentials
The included Airport Diagram (AID) provides a detailed layout of:
- Runway and taxiway configurations
- Apron and hangar locations
- Control tower position
- Precise coordinates for navigation reference
Information Validity Period
This specific flight guide remains valid from November 27, 2025, through December 25, 2025. Aviation professionals must verify they're using current documentation, as outdated materials may contain inaccurate data compromising flight safety.
Flight guides serve as indispensable tools for aviation safety, enabling pilots to make informed decisions through comprehensive airport knowledge. This examination reveals the extraordinary level of detail required to maintain safe operations in modern aviation.