Charles B. Wheeler Kansas City Downtown (MKC)
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) is located just north of downtown Kansas City. It primarily serves the general and corporate aviation communities. In addition to numerous flight schools, locally based aircraft and a busy Medevac operation, Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport is the primary airport for itinerant aircraft in the Kansas City area. The airport consists of two runways 04/22 & 01/19. Numerous hangars and related facilities line the east and west sides of the airport. There are two FBO’s on the airport. One is located on the northwest corner and one on the southeast corner. The city of Kansas City Missouri provides fuel, tie-down and other related services to transient aircraft. View a printable Pilot Handbook of the MKC information found on this Web page.
Know Before You Go
- Two RWYS - 04/22 and 01/19
- Hot Spot 1 – TWY G – Aircraft taxiing on TWY G require specific clearance to cross RWY 04/22. The TWY crosses RWY 04/22 at an oblique angle.
- Hot Spot 2 – Aircraft taxiing from Atlantic Aviation, the T hangars or the general aviation terminal, to either RWY 4 or RWY 1 must use caution at the intersection of TWY L and TWY D. Aircraft may mistakenly turn left on TWY D and may result in a RWY 1/19 incursion. Northbound aircraft on TWY F and TWY D should also use caution. If the Turn onto TWY L is missed, this could result in a RWY 1/19 incursion.
- Hot Spot 3 – Hold Short Instructions – Pilots are reminded that when taxing to RWY 01, they must have clearance to cross RWY 04/22.
- Do not exit onto the crossing runway after landing even though it may appear to be a high-speed turnoff. A RWY is not to be used as a TWY unless given permission to do so by the TWR.
- Traffic may require expeditious clearing of the RWY and may not be in the direction of the pilot’s parking destination. Follow TWR instructions and clear the RWY as directed.
Below find various MKC-specific information and things to be aware of, as well as general information to inform your preflight planning. This will be reviewed quarterly and updated as needed. This information is to supplement the From the Flight Deck Videos that are produced by the FAA Runway Safety Group. Here you will also find information provided by the local air traffic controllers at the airport where you intend to fly. The information is subject to change. Not for navigation or legal* pre-flight action. Always refer to official pre-flight materials such as, but not limited to, NOTAMs, airport diagrams, VFR charts and airport construction notices for the latest airport-specific details.
MKC Tower Administrative Office
Business Phone 816-329-2880
Open 0800 to 1600 – Monday through Friday
The airspace at MKC is Class D with a 3300’ MSL ceiling. It underlies Kansas City Class B airspace. (Refer to Sectional Chart)
Class D Airspace Requirements (CFR §91.129 and AIM 3-1-4; 3-2-5):
| Visibility | 3 statute miles |
| Distance from Clouds | 500 feet below | 1,000 ft above | 2,000 ft horizontal |
| Communications | Establish communications (controller response) |
| Pilot | No special certification required |
| Equipment | Two-way radio |
Hot Spots
- HS 1 On TWY G, holding position markings for RWY 04/22 are unusual due to the angle that TWY G intersects with RWY 04/22.
- HS 2 Aircraft taxiing southbound on TWY L to RWY 04 or RWY 01, continue straight across TWY D on TWY L. Northbound traffic on TWY F and TWY D, ensure to turn left on TWY L to avoid entering RWY 01/19.
- HS 3 Taxi routes to RWY 01 from the west side of the airfield cross RWY 04. Ensure you hold short of RWY 04 until you are given a clearance to cross.
Departure
- Verify proper heading prior to starting takeoff roll on all departures.
- Due to obstructions, prior to any turns to the east, aircraft must be at or above traffic pattern altitude.
- Remain below MCI Class B airspace until receiving ATC clearance.
- Do not leave TWR frequency prior to departing MKC airspace unless approved by TWR.
- Departing RWY 04 right traffic attain traffic pattern altitude prior to turning crosswind.
Landing
- During landing, do not exit onto the crossing runway even though it may appear to be a high-speed turnoff.
- A RWY is not to be used as a TWY unless given permission to do so by the TWR.
- IF landing RWY 01 do not expect to be issued the right turn onto TWY H unless previously coordinated.
- Landing RWY 22 maintain traffic pattern altitude until passing north of Missouri River.
Surface Risk – Movement Area
- TWR has limited visibility of T-Hangar aprons north of TWY D and west of TWY L.
Additional Cautions
- If ever in doubt about your position or your instructions, ask the TWR.
- Flocks of pigeons in vicinity of departure end of RWY 4.
- Multiple obstructions 0.5 to 1.0 miles ESE from RWY 19 departure end up to 290’ AGL/1100’ MSL.
MKC Tower (TWR) operates continuously.
If TWR is NOTAM’d closed
- The airspace becomes class G.
- Use CTAF 133.3.
- There is no pilot-controlled lighting – lights will be left on.
- For Clearance Delivery (CD) contact Kansas City Approach at 816-329-2710 or 118.40 in the air.
- ASOS will be available at 816-329-2843.
Ground
- If you need to conduct a high-speed run-up, contact ground for designated locations.
- RWY 19 @ TWY G & TWY K have run-up areas. Inquire with ground control for other available locations if you are unfamiliar.
- Single engine aircraft, parked on the SE side of the airport, are typically assigned RWY 22 at G (intersection) and not full length for departure.
- Aircraft parked on east can expect RWY 22 @ G when departing south. Advise if you need full length on RWY 22 or if you need RWY 19.
Takeoff/Departure
- Advise ground control if you want or do not want an intersection departure.
- If planning to fly a local scenic tour, advise GC/TWR of intention to do so (with the area that you intend to tour) and not just your initial direction of flight. This gives your controller information that he/she will use for traffic separation.
- If you would like flight following, make your request with clearance delivery prior to taxi.
Arrival/Landing
- When landing RWY 01, do not expect to be issued right turn onto TWY H unless previously coordinated.
- Landing RWY 22 maintain Traffic Pattern Altitude until passing north of Missouri River.
- TWR will usually keep pattern traffic on the west side of the airport.
Helicopter Pilots
- Advise TWR of requested landing/departure locations.
- If requesting pattern work, expect to be restricted east or west of RWY 01/19.
- If transitioning the airspace, TWR may restrict you east/west of the main RWY or advise your crossover dependent on traffic.
Additional Information
- RWY 01 – EMAS Arresting Gear System
- RWY 19 – EMAS Arresting Gear System
- All RWYs have Displaced Thresholds