KSLE McNary Field Salem — Instrument Checkride Guide

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

McNary Field (KSLE) is the primary commercial-service airport for Salem, Oregon, located in the heart of the Willamette Valley approximately 50 nm south of Portland. Elevation is 213 feet MSL. The airport operates as Class D airspace when Salem Tower (119.1 MHz) is in operation and transitions to Class E when the tower is closed.

IFR services are provided by Seattle Center (ZSE) handling en-route separation, with approach and departure services on 125.8 MHz. Salem Tower handles aircraft on final approach and departure from the Class D surface area. Ground control operates on 121.9 MHz. The ASOS broadcasts on 124.55 MHz and is the primary automated weather source. KSLE serves as an alternate airport for Portland-area operations and appears in numerous IFR scenario triads as an alternate destination, making familiarity with its approach environment valuable for any instrument pilot operating in the Pacific Northwest.

What instrument approaches are published at KSLE?

KSLE has 5 published instrument approach procedures, sourced from SkyVector.

The ILS or LOC Z RWY 31 is the primary precision approach and the most commonly used procedure in low-IMC conditions. The existence of both an ILS Z and a LOC Y for the same runway indicates separate procedures with different minima or missed approach instructions — a distinction the DPE may test on the oral. The LOC BC RWY 13 is a non-precision back-course approach and requires special pilot technique. Always verify current approach minima on official FAA charts before flight.

What is the runway configuration at KSLE?

McNary Field has 2 runways.

Runway 13/31 carries all published instrument approach procedures and is the primary IFR runway. Runway 16/34 supports VFR and visual pattern operations. The 5,811-foot length of runway 13/31 is adequate for most piston and light turboprop operations.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KSLE?

The Willamette Valley is bounded by the Coast Range to the west and the Cascades to the east. This geography creates a natural fog and stratus trap. When moist Pacific air moves inland and encounters cold valley air, marine stratus settles in and can persist for days without clearing — a weather pattern that makes Salem one of the most reliably IFR locations in the continental United States during winter months.

From October through March, ceilings of 200–500 feet AGL with visibility 1–2 miles in mist or light drizzle are common. During the most persistent stratus events, ceilings may hold below 500 feet for 48–72 hours. The ILS RWY 31 is the primary approach used in these conditions. Freezing rain is a hazard during cold outflow events, when arctic high pressure pushes cold dry air through the Columbia River Gorge beneath warm moist Pacific air — producing freezing precipitation at the surface. This is one of the more dangerous icing regimes in the Northwest, and pilots must verify that their aircraft is equipped and certificated for flight into known icing conditions under 14 CFR 91.527 before operating IFR in these conditions.

Summer brings near-VFR conditions with high pressure dominating the valley, but afternoon convective development over the Cascades can produce isolated thunderstorms east of Salem.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KSLE?

Instrument checkrides at Salem center on approach variety. The DPE has access to a precision ILS, two LOC-only variants including a back-course, and two RNAV procedures — enough to test every major approach category in a single flight. Expect to fly at least 2–3 approaches.

The LOC BC RWY 13 is frequently used as a teaching tool by DPEs in this area. Back-course technique requires understanding that the CDI indicates the reverse of normal sensing unless your avionics correct for it automatically. If your aircraft does not have a published "BC" mode, you must fly the needle backwards — a significant task-management challenge while also configuring the aircraft and communicating with ATC. The FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook FAA-H-8083-16B dedicates a section to back-course technique.

Because Salem operates in Class D airspace, the DPE will evaluate how you handle the tower-to-approach control handoff and whether you monitor ATIS continuously. The DPE may simulate radio failure during the approach — know your 14 CFR 91.185 procedures cold.

The distinction between the ILS Z and LOC Y procedures for the same runway is worth knowing. The DPE may ask why two separate procedures are published for runway 31, what the different minima are, and which you would choose given a specific equipment or weather scenario.

Practice Questions

1. You are established on the ILS Z RWY 31 at KSLE when Salem Tower advises that the ILS glide slope is unreliable. You are 4 nm from the FAF. What do you do, and what minimum does now apply?

2. ATC clears you for the LOC BC RWY 13 approach. Your G1000 does not have an automatic back-course mode. Describe the technique you will use to track the back-course inbound and the indications you will see on the CDI.

3. Salem Tower closes while you are 15 nm out on the ILS. KSLE transitions to Class E. What changes operationally for your approach, and where do you self-announce your position?

4. The RNAV (GPS) RWY 31 shows LNAV/VNAV minima. Your aircraft is equipped with a WAAS GPS. Which line of minima applies, and what is the difference between LNAV/VNAV and LPV guidance?

5. You are holding at the IAF due to inbound traffic. After two full turns, fuel is becoming a concern. Under 14 CFR 91.167, what fuel requirements must you have met when filing IFR, and what are your options at this point?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KSLE?

KSLE has an ILS or LOC Z to runway 31, a LOC Y to runway 31, a LOC back-course (LOC BC) to runway 13, and RNAV (GPS) approaches to runways 13 and 31. The ILS Z to runway 31 is the primary precision approach. Always verify current minima on official FAA charts before flight.

Q: What is the airspace class at McNary Field?

KSLE operates within Class D airspace when the tower is in operation, transitioning to Class E when the tower is closed. Salem Tower is on 119.1 MHz and Ground on 121.9 MHz. Seattle Center (ZSE) handles en-route IFR separation; approach/departure services are provided on 125.8 MHz.

Q: What is the ATIS frequency at KSLE?

KSLE ASOS/ATIS broadcasts on 124.55 MHz. This is the primary automated weather source for the airport. Always obtain the current ATIS before contacting Salem Tower for an IFR clearance.

Q: What runways does KSLE have?

McNary Field has two runways: runway 13/31 at 5,811 feet by 150 feet and runway 16/34 at 5,146 feet by 100 feet. Runway 13/31 is the primary instrument runway with the published ILS and LOC approaches. Runway 16/34 supports VFR and visual operations.

Q: What weather hazards should IFR pilots expect at KSLE?

Salem sits in the Willamette Valley, which traps low stratus and fog under marine inversions — often persisting for days during winter. Ceilings of 200–500 feet with 1–2 miles visibility in mist are common from October through March. Freezing rain is a significant hazard during cold outflow events when arctic air undercuts warm Pacific moisture.

Q: What is a LOC back-course approach and when is it used at KSLE?

A LOC back-course (LOC BC) approach uses the rear signal of the ILS localizer antenna to provide course guidance in the opposite direction. At KSLE, the LOC BC RWY 13 is used when runway 13 is active. Course sensing is reversed unless the avionics automatically correct for it — the FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B covers back-course technique in detail.

Q: Does KSLE have a control tower?

Yes. Salem Tower operates on 119.1 MHz and Ground on 121.9 MHz. When the tower is closed, KSLE reverts to Class E airspace with CTAF on the tower frequency.

Sources

• SkyVector — KSLE Airport Information
• 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.185 — Two-Way Radio Communications Failure (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.527 — Airborne Icing Equipment (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.167 — Fuel Requirements for IFR (Cornell LII)
• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B
• FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook FAA-H-8083-16B

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