Runway 02W at PAFA
Runway 02W/20W at Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) in Fairbanks is a 5,400 ft, unlit, water runway oriented 038°/218°. The runway is 100 ft wide. SkyMeter has observed 35 landings and 22 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 2.1°, touchdowns averaging 2,414 ft past the threshold, a typical touchdown ground speed of 68 kt, a 4.3 kt average crosswind component.
Runway 02W/20W at Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) in Fairbanks is a 5,400 ft, unlit, water runway oriented 038°/218°. The runway is 100 ft wide. SkyMeter has observed 35 landings and 22 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 2.1°, touchdowns averaging 2,414 ft past the threshold, a typical touchdown ground speed of 68 kt, a 4.3 kt average crosswind component.
Runway at a Glance
Arrival Volume
35 landings observed on Runway 02W in the last 30 days, alongside 22 departures.
Peak Hour
Busiest landing window observed at 03:00 with 11 arrivals on the recent sample.
Average Touchdown Zone
Aircraft touch down on average 2,414 ft from the threshold on Runway 02W.
Prevailing Wind & Gust History
Over the past 365 days, winds at PAFA have prevailed from the north-northeast (30°), accounting for roughly 18% of windy observations. Average wind speed sits at 3.7 kt with peak gusts to 35 kt. Strong-wind days are infrequent here.
Light Crosswind Component
Average crosswind on landing is 4.3 kt at touchdown, measured against runway 02W alignment.
Approach Slope
Final-approach slope averages 2.1° on Runway 02W, shallower than the standard 3°.
Landing Behavior and Touchdown Performance
The metrics below are computed from ADS-B trace data observed at Runway 02W 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 02W 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 02W 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.