Ellsworth Air Force Base (KRCA)
Medium airport · Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
Airport data
| Name | Ellsworth Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KRCA |
| IATA | RCA |
| Elevation | 3,276 ft (999 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 44°8'42" W 103°6'14" 44.14500, -103.10400 |
| Location | Rapid City, South Dakota, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/31 | 13,497 ft (4114 m) | 300 ft | CON | Yes |
Ellsworth Air Force Base at a glance
Ellsworth Air Force Base is a medium airport in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States, known to airline systems as RCA. The field elevation of 3,276 ft (999 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KRCA are all figured from it. There is no scheduled airline service listed here — typical traffic is general aviation, training and local operations.
The single runway, 13/31, offers 13,497 ft (4114 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 13 points roughly 130° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KRCA 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 Ellsworth Air Force Base
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City Regional Airport | KRAP | 12 km (6 NM) |
| Chadron Municipal Airport | KCDR | 145 km (78 NM) |
| Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport | KGCC | 195 km (105 NM) |
| Pierre Regional Airport | KPIR | 226 km (122 NM) |
| Alliance Municipal Airport | KAIA | 234 km (126 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Ellsworth Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 3,276 ft field elevation of Ellsworth Air Force Base 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 Ellsworth Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Ellsworth Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Ellsworth Air Force Base is KRCA, and its IATA code is RCA. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Ellsworth Air Force Base above sea level?
Ellsworth Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 3,276 feet (999 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Ellsworth Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at 44.1450, -103.1040 — in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Rapid City Regional Airport, about 12 km away.
Does KRCA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KRCA 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 Ellsworth Air Force Base?
Ellsworth Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 13/31, measures 13,497 ft (4114 m) with a CON surface.