Purdue University Airport (KLAF)
Medium airport · West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Airport data
| Name | Purdue University Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KLAF |
| IATA | LAF |
| Elevation | 606 ft (185 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 40°24'46" W 86°56'22" 40.41287, -86.93936 |
| Location | West Lafayette, Indiana, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 4,225 ft (1288 m) | 100 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 10/28 | 6,600 ft (2012 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Purdue University Airport at a glance
Purdue University Airport is a medium airport in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States, known to airline systems as LAF. The field elevation of 606 ft (185 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KLAF 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 2 runways, the longest — 10/28 — offers 6,600 ft (2012 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 10 points roughly 100° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KLAF 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 Purdue University Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Grissom Air Reserve Base | KGUS | 71 km (38 NM) |
| Indianapolis International Airport | KIND | 95 km (51 NM) |
| Greater Kankakee Airport | KIKK | 106 km (57 NM) |
| Terre Haute Regional Airport, Hulman Field | KHUF | 111 km (60 NM) |
| Porter County Municipal Airport | KVPZ | 116 km (63 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Purdue University Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 606 ft field elevation of Purdue University 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 Purdue University Airport
What is the ICAO code of Purdue University Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Purdue University Airport is KLAF, and its IATA code is LAF. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Purdue University Airport above sea level?
Purdue University Airport sits at an elevation of 606 feet (185 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Purdue University Airport located?
The airport lies at 40.4129, -86.9394 — in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Grissom Air Reserve Base, about 71 km away.
Does KLAF publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KLAF 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 Purdue University Airport?
Purdue University Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 10/28, measures 6,600 ft (2012 m) with a ASP surface.