Imagine a plane preparing to land at Aberdeen Regional Airport in the frigid Dakota winter. The pilot relies on precise navigation data and accurate runway information to ensure a safe touchdown. But what risks emerge when this critical information is outdated or inaccurate? This report evaluates operational data for Aberdeen Regional Airport (ABR), focusing on navigation information, runway performance, and maintenance updates to enhance flight safety.
Airport Location and Magnetic Variation
Aberdeen Regional Airport is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, with geographic coordinates between 45°26.5'N to 45°27.5'N latitude and 98°24.5'W to 98°25.5'W longitude. The airport's magnetic variation is currently VA R3.8°E, changing at an annual rate of 0.1°W. This gradual shift requires pilots to make regular corrections during navigation calculations to maintain heading accuracy. The airport's elevation sits at 1,302 feet above sea level.
Runway Performance Specifications
The airport features two primary runways with distinct performance characteristics to accommodate various aircraft types:
- Runway 17-35: Designed for S-63, D-82, and 2D-139 aircraft with a Pavement Classification Rating (PCR) of 250 F/D/X/T, indicating capacity for moderate-weight aircraft operations.
- Runway 13-31: Supports larger S-120, D-195, and 2D-339 aircraft with a stronger PCR rating of 476 R/D/W/T, accommodating heavier aircraft with higher tire pressure requirements.
Pilots must carefully consider aircraft specifications against these runway parameters when planning takeoffs and landings.
Communication and Weather Systems
The airport maintains two key communication channels:
- Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF/UNICOM): 122.7 MHz for general air-to-air and air-to-ground communication
- Secondary frequency: 125.875 MHz for specialized communications
For weather monitoring, the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) with identifier AABD1D3D provides real-time meteorological data including wind direction, visibility, and cloud ceiling information to support flight decision-making.
Maintenance Cycles and Operational Considerations
Scheduled navigation data updates (NC-1) will occur between December 25, 2025 and January 22, 2026. Pilots must verify data currency to prevent safety risks from obsolete information.
The airport layout includes designated areas for air carriers, hangars, and general aviation. Detailed airport diagrams document runway configurations, taxiways, apron locations, and infrastructure to assist pilots in navigating the facility safely.
Conclusions and Operational Recommendations
This evaluation of Aberdeen Regional Airport's operational parameters provides pilots with comprehensive data to enhance safety. Key recommendations include:
- Regular updates to navigation databases and runway specifications by airport management
- Timely dissemination of maintenance schedules to the aviation community
- Thorough pre-flight review of airport diagrams by pilots
- Strict adherence to established flight procedures and regulations
Through proper utilization of these resources and protocols, aviation professionals can maintain the highest safety standards at Aberdeen Regional Airport.