KFXE Fort Lauderdale Executive — Instrument Checkride Guide

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

Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE) is a general aviation reliever airport serving the northern Fort Lauderdale area, located 5 nm north of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (KFLL). Its elevation is 13 ft MSL. The airport operates as Class D when the control tower is active, with Miami TRACON providing radar approach and departure services. Miami Approach handles KFXE IFR traffic on 119.7 MHz; the published chart remarks note that Miami approach/departure frequencies are usable at 4,000 feet and below — a reflection of the airport's position inside the broader south Florida terminal area radar environment.

ATIS broadcasts on 119.85 MHz. Clearance delivery is on 127.95 MHz. Tower operates on 120.9 and 239.3 MHz. Ground control is on 121.75 MHz. FAA chart remarks require that all operators keep transponders with altitude reporting (Mode C) and ADS-B enabled on all airport surfaces under 14 CFR 91.215 — an operational rule that applies even prior to takeoff.

What instrument approaches are published at KFXE?

KFXE's approach suite is compact but covers the primary runway both directions, with the ILS anchoring precision operations on runway 09.

The ILS or LOC RWY 09 is the anchor approach for instrument checkrides at KFXE. The RNAV (GPS) RWY 09 publishes LPV guidance when the aircraft's avionics support it, providing a DA-based procedure with advisory vertical guidance. The RNAV (GPS) RWY 27 is a non-precision LNAV procedure with an MDA — useful for practicing MDA vs. DA distinctions on the same airport. Always verify current minimums on official FAA charts before flight.

What is the runway configuration at KFXE?

KFXE operates two runways. Runway 09/27 is the primary instrument runway at 6,002 feet; runway 13/31 at 4,000 feet is a crosswind runway with no published instrument approach.

The 4,000-foot runway 13/31 is used for pattern work and crosswind operations in VMC. In IMC, all IFR arrivals and departures use runway 09/27. The 6,002-foot length is adequate for most piston singles, piston twins, and light turboprops operated in a general aviation checkride context.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KFXE?

KFXE shares south Florida's weather patterns with neighboring KFLL. The primary IFR hazard from May through October is the daily convective cycle: sea breeze convergence over the Everglades by midday, convective initiation by 1300–1400 local time, and eastward movement of cells toward the coast through late afternoon. These storms can produce wind shear, heavy rain, and lightning within minutes of initial development. Afternoon and early evening arrivals during summer months routinely encounter convective SIGMETs covering the Miami ARTCC area.

During the November through April dry season, convective activity diminishes but synoptic IFR weather arrives with cold fronts. Frontal passages bring 6–24 hours of IFR ceilings, strong wind shifts, and occasional heavy rain. Morning radiation fog and sea fog are occasional from December through February — typically brief, clearing within 1–2 hours of sunrise.

Because KFXE is 5 nm from KFLL, ground delays and traffic management initiatives affecting KFLL routinely influence KFXE departure flow. Miami TRACON coordinates traffic from both airports on the same frequency sectors, and KFXE IFR departures may receive delays when KFLL arrival volume is high.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KFXE?

KFXE is one of the most active general aviation IFR checkride environments in south Florida. The airport's Class D status — contrasted with KFLL's Class C 5 nm away — gives the DPE an opportunity to probe your knowledge of both airspace classes in a single scenario. Expect oral questions about what distinguishes Class C from Class D, what communications are required to operate in each, and how your IFR clearance affects Class C entry when transitioning to KFLL's airspace.

The ILS or LOC RWY 09 is the standard precision approach for checkrides. With a DA approximately 200 ft AGL above a 13-ft field elevation, you are looking at a DA in the 200–250 ft MSL range — the numbers are close to minimums and leave no margin for imprecision on the approach. The DPE will evaluate whether you maintain a stabilized approach to DA and execute the missed approach without hesitation when the required visual references are not met. Under 14 CFR 91.175(c), you must have specific visual references before continuing below DA.

The RNAV (GPS) RWY 27 offers the DPE a non-precision approach on the reciprocal runway end. Expect the DPE to explore the MDA vs. DA distinction here: on an MDA approach, you reach a minimum altitude and level off, searching for visual references until the MAP; on a DA approach, you execute a missed approach the moment you reach DA without the required references. These are different procedures with different pilot actions and regulatory bases.

Miami TRACON's radar coverage at KFXE is continuous, and the DPE may demonstrate a typical south Florida IFR scenario: vectors to final that are close-in, speed restrictions down to 130–140 knots inside the Class C, and a frequency change from approach to tower within 2–3 miles of the runway. Manage communication load and aircraft configuration simultaneously — that's the skill being evaluated.

Practice Questions

1. The chart remarks at KFXE require transponders with altitude reporting and ADS-B enabled on all airport surfaces. Under 14 CFR 91.215, at what point are you required to activate your transponder — on the runway, at the hold short line, or during taxi?

2. You are flying the RNAV (GPS) RWY 27 at KFXE with LNAV minima active (MDA 340 ft MSL). You reach the MDA 1.5 miles from the runway with no visual references. What do you do, and when does the missed approach become mandatory?

3. Miami Approach clears you for the ILS RWY 09 and tells you to reduce to 140 knots. You are currently at 160 knots with gear up in a Piper Seneca. Walk the DPE through your configuration management to comply with the restriction while maintaining instrument scan.

4. After a missed approach on the ILS RWY 09, Miami Approach vectors you toward KFLL airspace for sequencing. At what altitude does Miami's Class C begin, and what communications requirement applies when you enter it?

5. You are departing KFXE IFR in VMC. Your clearance reads "cleared to KPBI as filed, climb and maintain 2,000, expect 5,000 ten minutes after departure." At what altitude should you level off, and what does the "expect" altitude mean for your planning?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KFXE?

KFXE publishes an ILS or LOC RWY 09, an RNAV (GPS) RWY 09, and an RNAV (GPS) RWY 27. The ILS serves runway 09 only. Runway 27 has RNAV (GPS) only with LNAV minimums.

Q: What airspace class is Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport?

KFXE is a Class D airport when the tower is operational. It sits adjacent to KFLL's Class C airspace. Miami Approach provides radar services to KFXE IFR traffic.

Q: What is the ATIS frequency at KFXE?

KFXE ATIS broadcasts on 119.85 MHz. Tower operates on 120.9 and 239.3 MHz. Miami Approach handles IFR traffic on 119.7 MHz. Clearance delivery is on 127.95 MHz. Ground control is on 121.75 MHz.

Q: What runways does KFXE have?

KFXE has two runways: Runway 09/27 at 6,002 feet by 100 feet (primary instrument runway with ILS to 09) and Runway 13/31 at 4,000 feet by 100 feet (no published instrument approach).

Q: What weather hazards should instrument pilots expect at KFXE?

South Florida convective weather is the primary IFR hazard from May through October, with daily afternoon thunderstorms building over the Everglades and moving east. Morning sea fog occasionally affects operations in fall and winter. Ground delays at KFLL propagate quickly to KFXE traffic flows.

Q: How does KFXE differ from nearby KFLL for an instrument checkride?

KFXE is a Class D general aviation airport 5 nm north of KFLL with an ILS to runway 09 only. KFLL is Class C with ILS to all four runway ends and continuous airline sequencing. KFXE provides a more typical general aviation checkride pace while operating in Miami TRACON's complex airspace.

Q: What is the transponder requirement at KFXE?

FAA chart remarks require transponders with altitude reporting (Mode C) and ADS-B enabled on all airport surfaces. This applies even during taxi, per 14 CFR 91.215 and the KFXE-specific chart notes.

Sources

• AirNav — KFXE Airport Information
• SkyVector — KFXE Instrument Approach Procedures
• 14 CFR 91.215 — ATC Transponder and Altitude Reporting Equipment (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR (Cornell LII)
• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B
• NWS Miami (MFL) — 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.