Runway 17L at KGFK
Runway 17L/35R at Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK) in Grand Forks is a 3,901 ft, lighted, concrete runway oriented 180°/000°. The runway is 75 ft wide. SkyMeter has observed 741 landings and 42 departures on this runway over the last 30 days, with approximately 0.0% of arrivals resulting in a go-around. Trace data shows an average final-approach slope of 2.8°, touchdowns averaging 2,984 ft past the threshold, a typical touchdown ground speed of 72 kt, a 4.1 kt average crosswind component, a 2.9 kt average headwind.
Runway 17L/35R at Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK) in Grand Forks is a 3,901 ft, lighted, concrete runway oriented 180°/000°. The runway is 75 ft wide. SkyMeter has observed 741 landings and 42 departures on this runway over the last 30 days, with approximately 0.0% of arrivals resulting in a go-around. Trace data shows an average final-approach slope of 2.8°, touchdowns averaging 2,984 ft past the threshold, a typical touchdown ground speed of 72 kt, a 4.1 kt average crosswind component, a 2.9 kt average headwind.
Runway at a Glance
Arrival Volume
741 landings observed on Runway 17L in the last 30 days, alongside 42 departures.
Peak Hour
Busiest landing window observed at 00:00 with 11 arrivals on the recent sample.
Average Touchdown Zone
Aircraft touch down on average 2,984 ft from the threshold on Runway 17L.
Prevailing Wind & Gust History
Over the past 365 days, winds at KGFK have prevailed from the north-northwest (330°), accounting for roughly 16% of windy observations. Average wind speed sits at 9.1 kt with peak gusts to 55 kt. Strong winds (≥20 kt) occur on about 5% of observations — pilots flying into runway 17L should plan for occasional gusty conditions.
Light Crosswind Component
Average crosswind on landing is 4.1 kt at touchdown, measured against runway 17L alignment.
Approach Slope
Final-approach slope averages 2.8° on Runway 17L, consistent with the standard 3° glide path.
Landing Behavior and Touchdown Performance
The metrics below are computed from ADS-B trace data observed at Runway 17L over the last 30 days. Each value is shown only when at least 10 valid samples were available; sparse cells are hidden rather than estimated.
Hourly Landing Distribution
Recent observed landings on Runway 17L grouped by hour-of-day (UTC).
Approach Types and Categories
Aircraft approach runways using different procedures based on weather conditions, visibility, and available navigation equipment. An Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach provides precision horizontal and vertical guidance using ground-based radio signals, enabling aircraft to land in low visibility conditions. Visual approaches require pilots to maintain visual contact with the runway and surrounding terrain, typically used during clear weather. Area Navigation (RNAV) approaches use GPS technology to guide aircraft along specific flight paths.
Approach Categories Explained
Category (CAT) classifications define minimum visibility and decision height requirements for instrument approaches. Higher categories enable operations in lower visibility conditions.
Wind and Environmental Factors
Wind conditions directly impact runway operations, influencing approach difficulty, landing performance, and runway selection. Runway 17L benefits from favorable wind alignment, with prevailing winds creating minimal crosswind components for most operations. Average wind speeds of 12 knots pose no operational constraints for commercial aircraft.
24-Hour Wind Pattern
Wind patterns show typical diurnal variation with stronger winds during midday hours.