KBHM Birmingham-Shuttlesworth — Instrument Checkride Guide

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

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (KBHM) is the primary commercial service airport for the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area, located at an elevation of 644 ft MSL. The airport is surrounded by Class C airspace; two-way radio contact with Birmingham Approach must be established before entry. ATC at KBHM operates continuously.

ATIS is on 119.4 MHz. Clearance delivery is on 125.675 MHz and is the first contact for IFR departures — pick up ATIS, then call clearance delivery with your full route, initial altitude, and request. Ground is on 121.7 MHz. Tower is on 119.9 MHz as the primary frequency, with 317.725 and 118.25 MHz as alternates. Birmingham Approach/Departure operates on 123.8 and 127.675 MHz.

KBHM handles commercial airline operations alongside general aviation. Two FBOs — Million Air Birmingham and Atlantic Aviation — serve the GA and corporate community. The airport is also an Air National Guard base, so military traffic is present.

What instrument approaches are published at KBHM?

KBHM offers a comprehensive approach suite that covers all four runway ends and includes multiple approach types for the primary Runway 6/24 corridor. Data sourced from AirNav and verified against SkyVector.

The ILS or LOC RWY 06 and ILS or LOC RWY 24 are the primary checkride approaches. CAT II and SA CAT II certifications on these procedures are used by air carrier operators with special authorization and are not applicable to typical GA instrument checkrides. Always verify current minima on official FAA charts.

What is the runway configuration at KBHM?

KBHM operates two intersecting paved runways. Runway 6/24 at 12,007 ft is the dominant instrument runway — one of the longest in Alabama — capable of supporting the heaviest commercial and military aircraft. Runway 18/36 at 7,099 ft provides a crosswind option with its own instrument approaches.

Taxiway restrictions apply at KBHM based on aircraft weight and wingspan — large aircraft may not use certain taxiways. For GA checkride aircraft (Cessna 172, Piper Archer, etc.), all taxiways are normally accessible, but confirm via NOTAM or ATC if operating a larger aircraft.

What frequencies are used at KBHM?

The IFR departure sequence at KBHM follows the standard Class C protocol: ATIS pickup → clearance delivery → ground → tower → departure. Ensure you have your full route clearance from clearance delivery before calling ground; ATC will not issue routing changes on the ground frequency.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KBHM?

Birmingham occupies a valley between the Appalachian ridges of central Alabama — a geography that concentrates weather hazards in ways that distinguish this airport from Gulf Coast or flat-terrain airports.

Severe thunderstorms are the most serious weather hazard. Central Alabama is part of the region sometimes called "Dixie Alley," where atmospheric conditions in spring and fall produce a disproportionately high number of tornadoes and severe thunderstorm events compared to other southeastern states. Organized convective systems can produce embedded supercells that are not clearly visible on standard airborne weather radar. The NWS Birmingham (BMX) office covers KBHM and is among the most active NWS offices in the country for severe weather watches and warnings.

Valley fog is a year-round hazard but peaks in fall and winter. The terrain channels cold, dense air into the Birmingham valley on clear, calm nights. Radiation fog can form in 30–60 minutes after sunset and drop visibilities to ¼ mile or less with a very shallow fog layer — sometimes only 200–300 ft thick but dense enough to close the airport to instrument approaches below minimums.

Ice storms occur during cold air outbreaks when a shallow layer of cold air near the surface is topped by a warm inversion. Freezing rain deposits quickly on aircraft, runway surfaces, and glide slope antennas. Runway friction advisories and PIREP reports should be consulted during winter weather events.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KBHM?

A checkride at KBHM involves full Class C communication discipline, airline and military sequencing, and the most complete approach suite available in Alabama. The DPE will evaluate the full IFR workflow from the first call to clearance delivery through the missed approach.

Clearance delivery on 125.675 is an early evaluable moment. The DPE will listen to how you receive and read back the clearance — route, altitude, departure frequency, and transponder code must all be confirmed. A clearance void time, if issued due to departure flow control, must be understood and respected.

On the approach, Birmingham Approach will sequence you around airline traffic. Expect vectors at 3,000–4,000 ft MSL that result in a final approach course intercept 8–12 nm from the runway. The DPE may assign a speed restriction ("maintain 160 knots until 5 DME final") while you are also briefing the approach. Managing ATC instructions and approach briefing simultaneously tests the task management skills evaluated in ACS Area II.

The ILS or LOC RWY 06 is the most common checkride approach at KBHM given its 12,007 ft length and precision guidance. Expect the DPE to ask you to execute the approach using raw data (CDI and altimeter only, without flight director) at some point — a core competency under ACS Task VI.B. If the flight director is available, know the difference between flying raw data and flying flight director guidance.

The severe weather discussion is nearly inevitable at KBHM. Be prepared to describe how you would evaluate embedded convection in a forecast weather system using SIGMETs, AIRMETs, and radar data, and to articulate your decision-making process under 14 CFR 91.175 if weather deteriorates below minimums during an approach.

Practice Questions

1. Birmingham Approach clears you for the ILS RWY 06 and issues a speed restriction of 150 knots until 4 DME final. At what point can you slow to your normal approach speed, and what ACS task area covers speed management in the approach environment?

2. The ILS RWY 06 at KBHM is CAT II certified. What does CAT II mean in terms of decision height and runway visual range, and why can't a typical instrument-rated GA pilot fly a CAT II approach on a checkride?

3. KBHM ATIS reports visibility 1/4 sm in fog, ceiling 100 ft. The ILS RWY 06 CAT I minimums are DH 200 ft, RVR 1800 ft. Can you legally commence the approach? What regulation governs commencement of an approach versus continuation below DA?

4. You are on a 10-nm ILS final for Runway 06 when the glideslope flag pops. You are at 2,500 ft MSL. What actions do you take, and what minimums apply if you continue the approach as a localizer-only procedure?

5. After a missed approach from Runway 06, Approach asks your intentions. A convective SIGMET is active 30 miles west of KBHM and your alternate is 90 nm to the south. Walk the DPE through your decision process using available weather products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KBHM?

KBHM has ILS or LOC approaches to Runways 6 and 24, with CAT II certification on the ILS RWY 06 and SA CAT II on the ILS RWY 24. RNAV (RNP) Z approaches are published for both Runways 6 and 24. RNAV (GPS) Y procedures serve Runways 6 and 24, and RNAV (GPS) approaches serve Runways 18 and 36. A LOC approach is published for Runway 18.

Q: What is the airspace class at KBHM?

KBHM is surrounded by Class C airspace. Under 14 CFR 91.130, two-way radio communication with Birmingham Approach must be established before entering the Class C area. The tower operates continuously. Clearance delivery is on 125.675 MHz.

Q: What is the ATIS frequency at KBHM?

KBHM ATIS broadcasts on 119.4 MHz. Clearance delivery is on 125.675 MHz. Ground is on 121.7 MHz. Tower is on 119.9 MHz. Birmingham Approach/Departure operates on 123.8 and 127.675 MHz.

Q: How long is Runway 6/24 at KBHM?

Runway 6/24 at KBHM is 12,007 ft x 150 ft — one of the longest runways in Alabama. This length supports heavy jet and wide-body operations. The ILS approaches to both ends of this runway are the primary instrument procedures at the airport.

Q: What FBOs operate at KBHM?

Million Air Birmingham and Atlantic Aviation both operate FBOs at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International, providing fuel, line services, hangar space, and passenger amenities for GA and corporate operators.

Q: What weather hazards should pilots expect at KBHM?

Birmingham sits in a valley surrounded by the Appalachian ridges, which trap cold air and moisture. Severe thunderstorms are more common in central Alabama than in most southeastern states — the region is part of Dixie Alley. Dense fog forms in the valley on clear, calm autumn and winter nights. Winter ice storms occur during cold air outbreaks.

Q: Does KBHM have CAT II ILS capability?

Yes. The ILS RWY 06 at KBHM is certified for CAT II operations. The ILS RWY 24 holds SA CAT II certification. These procedures require special authorization, crew training, and aircraft equipment not typical for general aviation instrument checkrides. Standard Cat I minimums apply for most checkride operations.

Sources

• AirNav — KBHM Airport Information
• SkyVector — KBHM Instrument Approach Procedures
• 14 CFR 91.130 — Operations in Class C Airspace (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR (Cornell LII)
• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B
• NWS Birmingham (BMX) — Terminal Forecasts and Severe Weather

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.