Airport · KPOB
KPOB Pope Army Airfield — Instrument Checkride Guide
Published instrument approaches, runway configuration, military airspace considerations, and what to expect on an instrument checkride at Pope Army Airfield (KPOB).
Pope Army Airfield
Fayetteville, NC
KPOB Pope Army Airfield — Instrument Checkride Guide
What kind of airport is KPOB and what is its IFR environment?
Pope Army Airfield (KPOB) is a U.S. Army airfield co-located with Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), North Carolina. Elevation is 218 ft MSL. The field operates within Class C airspace — under 14 CFR 91.130, two-way radio communication with ATC must be established before entering Class C. Tower operates continuously on 135.025 MHz; ATIS broadcasts on 132.3 MHz.
KPOB is designated private use. Civilian pilots must obtain advance permission from installation authorities before filing IFR to this airport. Military traffic — including C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 43rd Airlift Wing — operates here routinely, and ATC sequencing reflects that priority. Ground is on 124.55 MHz; Approach/Departure on 125.175 MHz.
What instrument approaches are published at KPOB?
KPOB publishes four instrument approach procedures, sourced from AirNav. All published approaches serve Runway 23.
| Procedure | Runway | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ILS or LOC RWY 23 | 23 | Primary precision approach |
| RNAV (GPS) RWY 23 | 23 | Verify LPV availability on current chart |
| TACAN RWY 23 | 23 | Military TACAN — civil use limited |
| TACAN-A | Circling | Military TACAN — civil use limited |
Civil IFR pilots will use the ILS or LOC RWY 23 or the RNAV (GPS) RWY 23. TACAN procedures require TACAN-capable avionics and are primarily relevant to military operations. Always verify current minima on the official FAA chart — 14 CFR 91.175 governs visibility and descent minimums.
What is the runway configuration at KPOB?
KPOB has two runway areas: the primary instrument runway and an assault landing strip used for military training.
| Runway | Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Surface | IAP Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/23 | 7,501 | 150 | Concrete, grooved | Yes — RWY 23 |
| 51/231 | 3,000 | 60 | Asphalt (assault strip) | None |
Runway 5/23 is the primary IFR runway. The assault strip (Runway 51/231) supports military airborne assault training and has no published instrument approach. Wing tip clearance constraints apply on certain taxiways — ATC will issue specific taxi instructions for large aircraft.
What special-use airspace surrounds KPOB?
Pope Army Airfield is embedded within a dense complex of special-use airspace associated with Fort Liberty. Restricted areas and military operations areas (MOAs) in the vicinity can be active on short notice. Before any IFR flight to or from KPOB, pilots must review current NOTAMs for applicable SUA status.
Under 14 CFR 91.133, flight within restricted areas is not authorized without permission from the using agency or ATC confirmation that the area is inactive. On an instrument checkride, the DPE may ask you to identify special-use airspace on the en route chart and explain the steps required to legally transit it.
What weather patterns affect KPOB?
Fayetteville, NC sits in the coastal plain of the Carolina Piedmont, where cold air damming is a significant winter IFR hazard. Cold air pooling east of the Appalachians can produce persistent low ceilings, drizzle, and freezing drizzle when warm air overrides aloft — sometimes for 2–3 days. Ceilings at KPOB can sit at 300–500 ft with visibility near 1 mile for extended periods during these events, making alternate planning and fuel reserve calculation critical.
Summer afternoons bring convective activity. Afternoon thunderstorms are common from May through September, with the heaviest activity typically developing west of the airport and tracking east. Pilots departing IFR in the late afternoon should obtain current AIRMETs and SIGMET information from aviationweather.gov before departure.
What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KPOB?
An instrument checkride conducted at or through KPOB carries the immediate complexity of military airspace coordination on top of standard IFR procedures. Before departure, the DPE will expect you to know the status of all applicable special-use airspace along your route and to have current NOTAMs — not just a passing knowledge of their existence.
The ILS RWY 23 is the expected primary approach. With a 7,501-ft runway and precision guidance, it provides a straightforward evaluative environment for the DPE to assess localizer and glideslope tracking, callout discipline, and missed approach execution. Under ACS Task VI.B, you must track the ILS within the tolerances specified (±1 dot on both CDI and glideslope) and execute the missed approach immediately upon reaching DA without visual references.
ATC communications at a continuously staffed military tower are fast-paced. Military controllers may use procedures and phraseology slightly different from typical civilian TRACON environments. Readback all clearances clearly and completely — the DPE is evaluating communication discipline throughout.
Expect the DPE to brief a scenario involving restricted airspace penetration and ask you to explain your legal options. Knowing the difference between prohibited, restricted, warning, and MOA airspace — and the procedures for each — is an evaluable knowledge element under ACS Area I.
Practice Questions
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You are cleared for the ILS RWY 23 at KPOB and receive a heading and altitude amendment from Approach while established on the localizer at 2,000 ft. What is the correct order of actions, and which ACS knowledge element does this test?
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The RNAV (GPS) RWY 23 publishes LPV, LNAV/VNAV, and LNAV lines of minima. Your GPS shows LPV guidance active. How does LPV DA compare to LNAV MDA, and why does 14 CFR 91.175 treat them differently?
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On the missed approach from the LOC RWY 23, you reach the missed approach point and do not have the runway in sight. You execute the missed approach. Pope Tower issues a heading and altitude that conflicts with the published missed approach procedure. What do you do?
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A restricted area adjacent to KPOB is shown as active on your pre-flight NOTAMs. Your cleared IFR route passes through its lateral boundary. What regulatory authority applies, and what action must you take before entering?
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You are filing KPOB as your alternate for an IFR flight to KFAY. What alternate minimums apply, and how do you determine whether KPOB qualifies under 14 CFR 91.169?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What instrument approaches are published at KPOB?
KPOB publishes an ILS or LOC to Runway 23, an RNAV (GPS) to Runway 23, and two TACAN procedures (TACAN RWY 23 and TACAN-A). The ILS RWY 23 is the primary precision approach for civil instrument operations at Pope Army Airfield.
Q: Is KPOB open to civilian pilots?
Pope Army Airfield is designated private use and requires advance permission for landing. It is a U.S. Army installation co-located with Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). Civilian pilots must obtain prior coordination before filing an IFR flight plan to KPOB.
Q: What airspace class surrounds KPOB?
KPOB operates within Class C airspace. Under 14 CFR 91.130, two-way radio communication with ATC must be established before entering Class C airspace. Pope Army Airfield Tower operates continuously on 135.025 MHz.
Q: What is the ATIS frequency at KPOB?
KPOB ATIS broadcasts on 132.3 MHz. Tower is on 135.025 MHz and Ground is on 124.55 MHz. Approach/Departure is on 125.175 MHz.
Q: What is the longest runway at KPOB?
Runway 5/23 is 7,501 feet long and 150 feet wide with a grooved concrete surface. It is the only runway at KPOB with a published instrument approach. The 3,000-foot assault strip (Runway 51/231) has no published IFR procedure.
Q: What military airspace restrictions exist near KPOB?
KPOB is adjacent to Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) restricted and military operations areas. Pilots must review current NOTAMs and special-use airspace (SUA) boundaries before flight. Restricted areas near Pope may be active without advance notice and are not penetrable under IFR without ATC coordination.
Q: Does KPOB have LPV minimums on the RNAV approach?
The RNAV (GPS) RWY 23 at KPOB may publish LPV lines of minima if WAAS coverage supports it. Always verify current minima on the official FAA chart — do not rely on training materials for actual minimums.
Sources
- AirNav — KPOB Airport Information
- FAA NFDC — KPOB Airport Data
- 14 CFR 91.130 — Operations in Class C Airspace (Cornell LII)
- 14 CFR 91.133 — Restricted and Prohibited Areas (Cornell LII)
- 14 CFR 91.169 — IFR Flight Plan: Alternate Airport Requirements (Cornell LII)
- 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR (Cornell LII)
- FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B
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This article was researched from FAA primary sources (ACS, FAR/AIM, Advisory Circulars, Instrument Flying Handbook), approach procedure data from AirNav and FAA NFDC, and citing current 14 CFR Part 91 — drafted by MockDPE. Last updated: May 2026. If you spot an inaccuracy, email corrections@mockdpe.org.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What instrument approaches are published at KPOB?
KPOB publishes an ILS or LOC to Runway 23, an RNAV (GPS) to Runway 23, and two TACAN procedures (TACAN RWY 23 and TACAN-A). The ILS RWY 23 is the primary precision approach for civil instrument operations at Pope Army Airfield.
Is KPOB open to civilian pilots?
Pope Army Airfield is designated private use and requires advance permission for landing. It is a U.S. Army installation co-located with Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). Civilian pilots must obtain prior coordination before filing an IFR flight plan to KPOB.
What airspace class surrounds KPOB?
KPOB operates within Class C airspace. Under 14 CFR 91.130, two-way radio communication with ATC must be established before entering Class C airspace. Pope Army Airfield Tower operates continuously on 135.025 MHz.
What is the ATIS frequency at KPOB?
KPOB ATIS broadcasts on 132.3 MHz. Tower is on 135.025 MHz and Ground is on 124.55 MHz. Approach/Departure is on 125.175 MHz.
What is the longest runway at KPOB?
Runway 5/23 is 7,501 feet long and 150 feet wide with a grooved concrete surface. It is the only runway at KPOB with a published instrument approach. The 3,000-foot assault strip (Runway 51/231) has no published IFR procedure.
What military airspace restrictions exist near KPOB?
KPOB is adjacent to Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) restricted and military operations areas. Pilots must review current NOTAMs and special-use airspace (SUA) boundaries before flight. Restricted areas near Pope may be active without advance notice and are not penetrable under IFR without ATC coordination.
Does KPOB have LPV minimums on the RNAV approach?
The RNAV (GPS) RWY 23 at KPOB may publish LPV lines of minima if WAAS coverage supports it. Always verify current minima on the official FAA chart — do not rely on training materials for actual minimums.
AI-generated study aid — not an official source. This article was written entirely by AI working from FAA primary sources (Instrument Rating ACS, 14 CFR Part 91, Aeronautical Information Manual, Instrument Flying Handbook, and relevant Advisory Circulars), with sources cited inline so you can verify each claim. It has not been reviewed by a CFI, DPE, or other certificated aviation professional. AI can hallucinate, misstate section numbers, and subtly paraphrase regulations in ways that change their meaning. Treat this page as a study starting point only — always confirm any regulatory, procedural, or operational fact against the linked FAA primary document before relying on it for a checkride, a written exam, or a flight. Last updated May 17, 2026. Spotted an error? Email corrections@mockdpe.org.