KORF Norfolk International — Instrument Checkride Guide

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

Norfolk International Airport (KORF) serves the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of southeastern Virginia at an elevation of 26 ft MSL. The airport operates within Class C airspace and maintains a 24-hour control tower. Norfolk Approach handles IFR traffic on 118.9 MHz, with additional military and secondary approach frequencies. ATIS broadcasts continuously on 127.15 MHz. Clearance delivery is on 118.5 MHz. ADS-B is required on all surfaces and transponders must operate in altitude-reporting mode at all times.

The terminal area surrounding KORF includes Naval Station Norfolk — the world's largest naval base — which generates significant military air traffic and creates special-use airspace considerations that IFR pilots must brief thoroughly before operating in the Hampton Roads area. ATC uses SAID (Surface Awareness Initiative and Display) technology at KORF, and bird activity is a documented hazard on and near the airport.

What instrument approaches are published at KORF?

KORF offers a complete approach suite for both runway ends, including precision ILS guidance, RNAV GPS procedures, and authorization-required RNP approaches. A visual procedure for the Elizabeth River corridor is also charted. All data sourced from AirNav and verified against current SkyVector chart listings.

The RNAV (RNP) Y procedures require specific aircraft certification and crew authorization not available to most general aviation checkride applicants. The DPE may ask you to identify RNP AR on the chart and explain why it is not available for your flight. 14 CFR 91.175 establishes the legal framework for instrument approach operations including visual reference requirements before descent below DA or MDA.

What is the runway configuration at KORF?

KORF operates a single runway, 05/23, at 9,001 × 150 ft. Its northeast/southwest orientation aligns with the prevailing wind patterns of Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay region. The 9,000-ft length supports heavy commercial and military transport operations.

Noise abatement procedures are in effect at KORF. Pilots should review the current airport remarks and ATC instructions for noise-sensitive departure routing. The single-runway configuration means all IFR traffic uses runway 05 or 23 depending on wind — expect ATC to sequence arrivals based on active runway configuration, which rotates seasonally with prevailing winds.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KORF?

Hampton Roads sits at the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay, the Elizabeth River, and the Atlantic coast — a geography that produces some of the most varied IFR weather in the mid-Atlantic. Winter Nor'easters are the primary hazard from November through March, delivering northeast winds, low ceilings, snow or freezing rain, and reduced visibilities that can persist for 24–48 hours. These systems affect runway surface conditions significantly and frequently require deicing operations that extend ground delays.

Spring and fall produce marine fog events driven by cold Chesapeake Bay water under warm air masses. These fog events are less persistent than New England marine fog but can be rapid-onset — 3/4 mile or better at sunset and below minimums by 0200. The National Weather Service Wakefield, Virginia (AKQ) office issues terminal aerodrome forecasts and special weather statements for KORF.

Summer weather at Norfolk is characterized by high humidity and afternoon convective activity building inland over the Virginia Piedmont. The cells typically track toward the coast and can reach the airport by early evening. In August and September, tropical systems tracking up the mid-Atlantic coast can produce significant IFR weather across the Hampton Roads area, requiring careful preflight weather evaluation and solid alternate planning.

Bird activity is a noted hazard at KORF year-round, particularly during migratory seasons. The airport sits near Chesapeake Bay flyways used by waterfowl and shorebirds — pilots on approach should be aware of potential bird strike hazards at low altitudes near threshold.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KORF?

Norfolk's Class C environment provides a realistic ATC-intensive checkride setting. KORF is busy enough to require disciplined communication and sequencing compliance, but not saturated with Class B airline traffic that limits GA flexibility. The DPE will use the Class C radio requirements as an evaluation point from the moment you call for clearance — proper communication establishment before Class C entry is required under 14 CFR 91.130.

The ILS RWY 23 is the most common DPE-assigned approach due to its southwesterly final that keeps general aviation traffic away from military flight paths on the northeast side of the field. Expect radar vectors to a long final — Norfolk Approach sequences GA behind commercial traffic — with a possible altitude restriction on the downwind or base leg. The DPE will note whether you comply with ATC restrictions while briefing the approach.

On the River Visual RWY 05, expect the DPE to ask you to describe the procedure even if it is not flown on the checkride. The River Visual uses the Elizabeth River as a visual reference corridor — understanding charted visual approaches, their conditions for use, and their relationship to instrument procedures is an evaluable knowledge element under ACS Area VI.

After a missed approach, KORF's single-runway configuration means the missed approach procedure returns you to the opposite end. Be prepared for ATC to immediately vector you for the opposite runway approach if weather allows — a realistic and evaluable task management scenario that involves loading a new approach while flying the published missed approach instructions.

Practice Questions

1. You are established on the ILS RWY 23 at KORF and Norfolk Approach assigns a speed restriction of 160 knots until 5 miles from the runway threshold. When can you reduce to approach speed, and what should you tell ATC?

2. The KORF ATIS reports visibility 1 mile in fog, indefinite ceiling 100 ft. The ILS RWY 05 CAT I minimums are 200 ft DA and 1/2 mile. Can you legally attempt the approach? What regulation applies?

3. An RNAV (RNP) Y approach is charted for KORF runway 23. Your aircraft has a WAAS GPS but no RNP AR authorization. Can you fly this procedure? How do you determine what authorization is required?

4. You fly the River Visual RWY 05 and lose sight of the Elizabeth River at 500 ft AGL due to a low cloud layer. What action is required under 14 CFR 91.175?

5. After missing the ILS RWY 23, Norfolk Approach asks your intentions. Your alternate is Richmond (KRIC). Walk the DPE through your decision to attempt a second approach versus proceeding to the alternate, including the fuel and alternate weather analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KORF?

KORF publishes ILS or LOC approaches to both runway 05 and runway 23. RNAV (GPS) Z approaches are published for runways 05 and 23, and RNAV (RNP) Y approaches are published for both runway ends. A River Visual approach is also charted for runway 05. The airport has continuous ATC coverage with a 24-hour control tower.

Q: What is the airspace class at KORF?

KORF is surrounded by Class C airspace. Under 14 CFR 91.130, two-way radio communication with approach control must be established before entering Class C airspace. An IFR clearance into Norfolk International automatically satisfies this requirement. Norfolk Approach operates on 118.9 MHz.

Q: What runways does KORF have?

KORF has a single runway, 05/23, at 9,001 × 150 ft. The 9,000-ft length accommodates commercial airline, military, and cargo traffic. ILS or LOC approaches are published to both ends. The airport operates with a 24-hour control tower.

Q: What are the KORF communications frequencies?

KORF ATIS broadcasts on 127.15 MHz. Tower operates continuously on 120.8 MHz. Ground is 121.9 MHz. Clearance delivery is on 118.5 MHz. Norfolk Approach handles IFR traffic on 118.9 MHz, with additional approach frequencies on 335.625 and 353.7 MHz. Departure uses 125.2 MHz.

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

Norfolk's Hampton Roads location produces classic mid-Atlantic coastal weather: winter Nor'easters with low ceilings and blowing snow, spring and fall marine fog from Chesapeake Bay, and summer afternoon thunderstorms that build inland and track toward the coast. The Navy and military airspace surrounding Norfolk adds routing complexity during adverse weather.

Q: What military airspace considerations apply at KORF?

Norfolk International sits adjacent to Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base. Military traffic — helicopters, jets, and large transport aircraft — operates in the terminal area regularly. ADS-B is required on all surfaces. ATC uses SAID technology. Pilots should brief current NOTAMs for temporary flight restrictions and military activity.

Q: Does KORF have RNAV RNP approaches?

Yes. RNAV (RNP) Y approaches are published for both runway 05 and runway 23 at KORF. These authorization-required (AR) procedures require specific aircraft capability and pilot training authorization. General aviation checkride applicants flying standard GPS-equipped aircraft will use the RNAV (GPS) Z procedures, which do not require RNP AR authorization.

Sources

• AirNav — KORF Airport Information
• SkyVector — KORF 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 Wakefield, VA (AKQ) — 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.