Grand Forks Air Force Base (KRDR)
Medium airport · Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
Airport data
| Name | Grand Forks Air Force Base |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KRDR |
| IATA | RDR |
| Elevation | 913 ft (278 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 47°57'40" W 97°24'4" 47.96110, -97.40120 |
| Location | Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States |
| Scheduled service | No |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/35 | 12,350 ft (3764 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Grand Forks Air Force Base at a glance
Grand Forks Air Force Base is a medium airport in Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States, known to airline systems as RDR. The field elevation of 913 ft (278 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KRDR 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, 17/35, offers 12,350 ft (3764 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 17 points roughly 170° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KRDR 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 Grand Forks 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks International Airport | KGFK | 17 km (9 NM) |
| Thief River Falls Regional Airport | KTVF | 91 km (49 NM) |
| Devils Lake Regional Airport | KDVL | 113 km (61 NM) |
| Hector International Airport | KFAR | 124 km (67 NM) |
| Jamestown Regional Airport | KJMS | 150 km (81 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Grand Forks Air Force Base
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 913 ft field elevation of Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks Air Force Base
What is the ICAO code of Grand Forks Air Force Base?
The ICAO identifier of Grand Forks Air Force Base is KRDR, and its IATA code is RDR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Grand Forks Air Force Base above sea level?
Grand Forks Air Force Base sits at an elevation of 913 feet (278 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Grand Forks Air Force Base located?
The airport lies at 47.9611, -97.4012 — in Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Grand Forks International Airport, about 17 km away.
Does KRDR publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KRDR 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 Grand Forks Air Force Base?
Grand Forks Air Force Base has one runway. The longest, 17/35, measures 12,350 ft (3764 m) with a ASP surface.