Decatur Airport (KDEC)
Medium airport · Decatur, Illinois, United States
Airport data
| Name | Decatur Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KDEC |
| IATA | DEC |
| Elevation | 682 ft (208 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 39°50'5" W 88°51'57" 39.83460, -88.86570 |
| Location | Decatur, Illinois, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 8,496 ft (2590 m) | 150 ft | PEM | Yes |
| 12/30 | 6,799 ft (2072 m) | 150 ft | PEM | Yes |
| 18/36 | 5,298 ft (1615 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Decatur Airport at a glance
Decatur Airport is a medium airport in Decatur, Illinois, United States, known to airline systems as DEC. The field elevation of 682 ft (208 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KDEC are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 06/24 — offers 8,496 ft (2590 m) of pem surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KDEC shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Decatur Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Willard Airport | KCMI | 55 km (30 NM) |
| Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport | KSPI | 69 km (37 NM) |
| Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal | KBMI | 72 km (39 NM) |
| General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport | KPIA | 116 km (63 NM) |
| Terre Haute Regional Airport, Hulman Field | KHUF | 140 km (76 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Decatur Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 682 ft field elevation of Decatur Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Decatur Airport
What is the ICAO code of Decatur Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Decatur Airport is KDEC, and its IATA code is DEC. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Decatur Airport above sea level?
Decatur Airport sits at an elevation of 682 feet (208 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Decatur Airport located?
The airport lies at 39.8346, -88.8657 — in Decatur, Illinois, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is University of Illinois Willard Airport, about 55 km away.
Does KDEC publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KDEC appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Decatur Airport?
Decatur Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 06/24, measures 8,496 ft (2590 m) with a PEM surface.