KACT Waco TX — Instrument Checkride Guide

What kind of airport is KACT and what is its IFR environment?

Waco Regional Airport (KACT) serves Waco, Texas, located in the Heart of Texas region approximately 85 nm south of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Elevation is 516 ft MSL. The airport operates Class D airspace when the control tower is staffed (0600–0000 local). A dedicated approach control serves KACT on 127.65 MHz during tower hours, making the IFR environment more structured than a Center-only airport — pilots receive radar services from departure through approach without handoff delays.

KACT's position approximately 85 nm south of the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Class B airspace means northbound IFR departures must account for the DFW Class B structure when filing. Routing via V16 or RNAV airways around the outer edges of the Class B is standard. The DPE will evaluate whether the applicant understands how to read a clearance that includes altitude restrictions driven by overlying Class B airspace.

What instrument approaches are published at KACT?

KACT offers a diverse approach suite with precision, non-precision, and area navigation procedures, sourced from AirNav.

The ILS RWY 19 is KACT's highest-capability approach and the most likely precision procedure on a checkride. Always verify current minimums on official FAA charts — approach procedures at KACT are amended periodically.

What is the runway configuration at KACT?

KACT operates two asphalt runways. Runway 01/19 is the primary instrument runway at 7,107 ft — generous length for general aviation and light turbine operations. Runway 14/32 at 5,103 ft serves crosswind operations and supports both RNAV and VOR approaches.

Prevailing winds in Waco are generally from the south to southeast, making runway 19 the dominant landing runway under calm to moderate conditions. Strong northerly winds associated with cold fronts shift operations to runway 01. DPEs typically coordinate runway use with the tower before assigning a specific approach.

What frequencies does KACT use?

During tower hours, pilots should monitor ATIS, copy the clearance on ground (or via clearance delivery at larger nearby airports), and switch to approach on departure. The approach and departure functions at KACT are handled by the same facility on different frequencies — confirm the frequency at clearance time.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KACT?

Waco sits in the heart of central Texas, which lies squarely within Tornado Alley. Spring — particularly March through May — is the most significant convective season, with organized supercell thunderstorms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Instrument pilots transiting the central Texas area during spring must treat convective SIGMETs and severe thunderstorm watches with appropriate conservatism. Filing an alternate and fuel reserve for weather deviations is prudent practice, not optional planning.

Summer brings intense surface heating that generates afternoon convection throughout the region. Isolated storms can form quickly on days without significant synoptic-scale forcing, and cells near KACT may produce embedded thunderstorms not visible to lighter NEXRAD resolution. Pilots should obtain a thorough briefing including convective outlook from NWS Fort Worth (FWD), which covers the KACT area.

Winter weather in central Texas is generally mild but occasionally severe. The most dangerous condition is the ice storm: warm Gulf air overrides an Arctic airmass at the surface, producing widespread freezing rain and sleet that can accumulate rapidly on aircraft and runways. Unlike snowstorms, ice storms can arrive with little warning and develop faster than forecast models suggest. Winter IFR pilots operating in the KACT area should always check for freezing level and icing PIREPs before flight.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KACT?

KACT is a well-equipped regional airport with a full tower, approach control, and ASR radar capability — a professional IFR environment appropriate for a thorough instrument checkride. The DPE will typically begin with a filed IFR clearance through Waco Approach, and the applicant will copy the full clearance on ground. The ability to copy, read back, and immediately brief a six-element clearance (CRAFT) without writing errors is evaluated from the first radio call.

The ILS RWY 19 is the standard precision approach for the checkride. Expect the DPE to require a full instrument approach briefing before the procedure begins — brief the final approach course, FAF altitude, DA, missed approach point, and missed approach procedure. Under ACS Task VI.B, the examiner evaluates approach setup, intercept, tracking, and DA compliance.

The DPE at KACT may also assign one of the VOR-based approaches on the crosswind runway to evaluate non-precision approach technique. Specifically, the VOR/DME RWY 32 requires DME — verify your aircraft's equipment and know whether your installation satisfies 14 CFR 91.205 IFR equipment requirements for the procedure. Step-down fixes on VOR approaches require level flight at intermediate altitudes; understand where each step-down is and what obstacle clearance it provides.

The presence of ASR radar approach capability gives the DPE an additional tool: a simulated partial-panel radar approach to evaluate your ability to accept headings and altitude assignments from ATC when primary navigation fails. Be prepared for this scenario if the DPE mentions "radar approach" during the oral.

Holding at KACT is usually assigned over a VOR or GPS fix on a departure or arrival procedure. The DPE will evaluate standard-rate turns, timing, and entry — the same fundamentals apply regardless of how sophisticated the avionics are.

Practice Questions

1. You are cleared for the ILS RWY 19 at KACT. At DA you have the approach light system in sight but no runway or runway environment. Under 14 CFR 91.175(c), what are your options?

2. The DPE assigns the VOR/DME RWY 32 approach. Your aircraft has a GPS with WAAS but the DME receiver is inoperative. Can you substitute GPS for DME? What regulation or guidance governs this substitution?

3. Waco Approach issues a convective SIGMET for your route of flight 30 minutes after departure. Walk the DPE through your decision-making process under 14 CFR 91.13 and the AIM guidance on thunderstorm avoidance.

4. You are assigned a hold at KACT over the VOR. Your arrival heading is 280°. What entry procedure applies and how do you execute it?

5. The tower at KACT closes at 0000 local. You arrive at 0015 and need to land. What frequency do you use, and what position reports do you make?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KACT?

KACT publishes an ILS or LOC to runway 19, RNAV (GPS) approaches to runways 01, 14, 19, and 32, a VOR/DME approach to runway 32, and a VOR approach to runway 14. Radar approaches are also available from Waco Approach.

Q: What is the airspace class at Waco Regional?

KACT operates inside Class D airspace when the tower is open (0600–0000 local). The airport lies approximately 85 nm south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Class B airspace, so IFR departures northbound must account for the DFW Class B structure.

Q: What is the ATIS frequency at KACT?

KACT ATIS broadcasts on 123.85 MHz. Tower operates on 119.3 MHz from 0600 to 0000 local. Ground is 121.9 MHz. Approach control is on 127.65 MHz and departure on 126.125 MHz.

Q: What runways are available at KACT?

KACT has two runways: 01/19 (7,107 ft × 150 ft, asphalt/grooved) and 14/32 (5,103 ft × 150 ft, asphalt/grooved). Runway 01/19 is the primary ILS runway at over 7,000 ft — adequate for most general aviation aircraft.

Q: What weather hazards should pilots expect at KACT?

Central Texas is within Tornado Alley. Spring brings severe convective weather including supercell thunderstorms, large hail, and tornadoes. Summer afternoons generate isolated convection from intense surface heating. Winter ice storms occur when Gulf moisture overrides Arctic air, creating freezing rain and sleet.

Q: Does KACT have RNAV approaches with LPV minimums?

KACT RNAV (GPS) procedures may publish LPV lines of minima where WAAS geometry supports it. Always verify current minimums on the official FAA chart before flight — LPV minimums can be lower than LNAV/VNAV and approach plates are amended periodically.

Q: Is radar approach service available at KACT?

Yes. KACT has an Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) approach capability on 132.525 MHz, providing vectoring to final. ASR approaches are available from Waco Approach during tower hours and are useful if primary nav equipment fails.

Sources

• AirNav — KACT Airport Information
• SkyVector — KACT Instrument Approach Procedures
• 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.205 — IFR Equipment Requirements (Cornell LII)
• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B
• NWS Fort Worth (FWD) — Terminal Forecasts

This article was researched from FAA primary sources (ACS, FAR/AIM, Advisory Circulars, Instrument Flying Handbook), approach procedure data from AirNav and SkyVector, and citing current 14 CFR Part 91 — drafted by MockDPE. Last updated: May 2026. If you spot an inaccuracy, email corrections@mockdpe.org.