Kahramanmaras Airport
Kahramanmaraş Airport (IATA: KCM, ICAO: LTCN) serves the city of Kahramanmaraş in south-eastern Türkiye and is located 7 km south-east of the city. It is operated by DHMİ, is open H24 (ATS, fuel, handling, customs and de-icing all H24) and has a permanent border gate. Rescue and fire fighting category is 7.
The airport has a single runway, 07/25 (2,300 m × 45 m, composite: concrete on the first 400 m at each threshold, asphalt in between). There is no parallel taxiway: two short taxiways, A and B, connect the runway with Apron A (new terminal) and Apron B (old terminal). Aerodrome elevation is 1,724 ft and the transition altitude is 15,000 ft.
Kahramanmaraş lies in mountainous terrain. High ground rises north of the aerodrome (charted spot heights include 7,549 ft north-east of the field and 9,232 ft further north-east in the Malatya MTMA) and the Malatya military TMA (MTMA) borders the Kahramanmaraş TMA to the north-east. As a result the minimum sector altitudes are high (up to 12,000–13,000 ft), circling is not authorised north of the aerodrome, the KHM VOR/DME and NDB are unusable towards the north beyond 6 NM, and there is no ILS glide path: the only localizer approach (LOC RWY 25) is offset by 14° with a steep 6.1% descent. Read the terrain notes in the Arrival Procedures section carefully.
Scenery
Payware
| Simulator | Developer | Publisher | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| No payware scenery found at the time of writing. | |||
Freeware
There are freeware options as well, but quality may vary significantly.
| Simulator | Developer | Publisher | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator | Community | FlightSim.to | FlightSim.to |
Preferential Runway System (PRS)
AD 2 LTCN does not publish a Preferential Runway System, and AD 2.20 (Local Aerodrome Regulations) is NIL. The runway in use is selected by Kahramanmaraş ATC. Check the ATIS (Kahramanmaraş Information 124.950) for the runway and approach in use.
Things to keep in mind when you plan:
- RWY 25 has a 300 m displaced threshold: LDA RWY 25 is 2,000 m, while RWY 07 has the full 2,300 m (TORA/TODA/ASDA are 2,300 m in both directions).
- The runway has a 1.4% slope. THR 07 is at 1,617 ft and THR 25 at 1,710 ft.
- RWY 25 has a LOC only approach (offset 14°), an RNP approach, the longer approach lighting (simple approach lighting 720 m, barrette system) and PAPI 3.5° (MEHT 49 ft).
- RWY 07 has an RNP approach only, simple approach lighting of 180 m and PAPI 3.5° (MEHT 39 ft).
- The NDB and VOR approaches (IAC-1, IAC-2) are circling only (straight-in not authorised).
- Both RNAV SIDs and both conventional SIDs end at REMPO (airway L605) whichever runway is used.
Arrival Procedures
Kahramanmaraş Airport is located inside the Kahramanmaraş TMA. The control zone is a circle of 5 NM radius (centred 373256N 0365759E), SFC to 3,000 ft AMSL. Approach service is provided by Kahramanmaraş Approach, or by Kahramanmaraş Tower when required or when transferred by Kahramanmaraş Approach. TWR and APP share the same frequencies (118.750 and 120.600).
The RNAV (GNSS) STARs (STAR-2 and STAR-3) require RNP 1; the RNP approaches require RNP APCH approval and GNSS. Aircraft unable to comply with the RNP procedure shall inform Kahramanmaraş Approach on first contact. A conventional STAR chart (STAR-1, VOR/NDB) also exists and is the procedure for IFR flights unable to fly RNAV (see Radio Failure).
- AD 2.22 routes RNAV arrivals via UL/L605 to INGAM (IAF) via STAR-2 (POGEN 1B), and RNAV arrivals via UM/M854 to DONDU (IAF), from where the RNP RWY 25 approach starts.
- Landing aircraft on both runway directions turn back at the end of the runway (AD 2.23) — there is no parallel taxiway, so expect to backtrack after landing.
- Road traffic signal lights installed 200–250 m from the RWY 25 approach lights, on their extension, can be confused with the approach lights. Follow tower instructions.
- Vehicles on the road 600 m east of the RWY 25 threshold, within the RWY 25 climb-out line, are moving obstacles.
- Birds: local birds are seen all year at 0–750 ft around the runway, apron and taxiways. The airport is close to a secondary bird migration route over the Aksu river, about 5 km west of the airport; in migration periods birds soar up to 5,000 ft (spring south→north, autumn north→south). Between March and October flocks of up to 1,000 small birds at 0–500 ft are a risk, especially between 0600–1600 UTC (see the BRD chart).
| Runway | Approach aid | Frequency / DME | Approach lighting / PAPI | THR elevation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | IKAH LLZ/DME (LOC only, no GP) | 111.10 MHz / CH48X | Simple approach 720 m (barrette system, 720 m flashing); PAPI 3.5° left, MEHT 49 ft | 1,710 ft | 300 m displaced threshold (LDA 2,000 m). LLZ offset 14° from the runway centreline. LLZ/DME unusable due to mountains outside 10° right of the LLZ centreline (150 Hz sector II) and beyond 21 NM both sides of the centreline (90–150 Hz sector I). |
| 07 | RNP only | – | Simple approach 180 m (120 m flashing); PAPI 3.5° left, MEHT 39 ft | 1,617 ft | LDA 2,300 m |
Other navaids: KHM VOR/DME 113.9 MHz (CH86X) and KHM NDB 374 kHz, co-located on the airport (coverage 75 NM). KHM VOR/DME is unusable between R310 and R070 below 16,000 ft beyond 6 NM; KHM NDB is unusable between 310° and 070° beyond 6 NM — i.e. towards the high ground in the north.
There are no stop bars and no runway guard lights; RTIL (runway threshold identification lights) are available. The ADC notes that the RWY 25 approach lights are located from the RWY 25 beginning, which has an elevation of 1,724 ft.
STARs
| Active Runway Configuration | STAR | Chart | Route | Ends at (IAF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWY 25 | POGEN 1B (RNAV) | STAR-2 | POGEN – track 098° (15 NM) – INGAM, 14,000 ft | INGAM (IAF/MAHF) |
| RWY 07 | INGAM 1G (RNAV) | STAR-3 | INGAM – track 278° (15 NM, 11,000 ft) – POGEN – track 306° (14.1 NM, 9,000 ft) – REMPO | REMPO (IAF) |
| Both (conventional, VOR/NDB) | POGEN 1A | STAR-1 | POGEN (KHM R-254/D12.57) – track 074° – KHM, 9,500 ft | KHM VOR/NDB |
| DONDU 1A | STAR-1 | DONDU (KHM R-055/D5.74) – track 235° – KHM, 9,500 ft | KHM VOR/NDB |
RWY 25 Configuration
Arrivals from L605 fly POGEN 1B to INGAM (IAF/MAHF, 14,000 ft, hold inbound 098°). From INGAM, or from DONDU (IAF, 14,000 ft) for arrivals from M854, expect the RNP RWY 25 approach (IAC-3), or the LOC RWY 25 approach (IAC-5) via the KHM VOR. Check the ATIS for the approach in use.
RWY 07 Configuration
INGAM 1G takes you from INGAM west to POGEN and REMPO (IAF, 9,000 ft, hold inbound 105°), from where the RNP RWY 07 approach (IAC-4) starts. A holding is also charted at INGAM (inbound 278°, 11,000 ft).
Conventional STARs
POGEN 1A and DONDU 1A lead to the KHM VOR/NDB at 9,500 ft, with a holding at KHM (inbound 314°, 9,500 ft). From there the NDB/VOR (circling only) or LOC RWY 25 approaches can be flown.
Instrument Approaches
| Runway | Approach | Chart | Initial approach | Final approach | Minima (OCA/H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | RNP RWY 25 (LNAV) | IAC-3 / 3A / 3B | DONDU (IAF, 14,000 ft+, 250 KT) – CN251 (12,000 ft+) – NARGU, or INGAM (IAF, 14,000 ft+, 250 KT) – NARGU (10,000 ft+); then BERET (8,000 ft+, 220 KT) – ELKUM (IF, 6,400 ft+) | MAREK (FAF) 5,600 ft, 200 KT, track 276° then 251°; 6.1% (3.5°) descent; CN252 4,600 ft+, CN253 3,350 ft+; MAPt MA25 (fly-over). FAF–THR 10.41 NM, TCH 50 ft | LNAV 3,030 ft (1,320 ft) with missed approach gradient 2.5%; 2,700 ft (990 ft) with gradient 4%. Circling A/B 3,100 ft (1,376 ft), C/D 3,400 ft (1,676 ft) |
| LOC RWY 25 | IAC-5 | KHM VOR at 9,500 ft, outbound on R-115 to D20 KHM, then via the D20 KHM arc to join the final approach track (263°) at the IF | IF D18.0 IKAH (D17.5 KHM) 7,080 ft; FAF D11.4 IKAH (D10.9 KHM) 5,620 ft; final track 263°; 6.1% descent; MAPt D2.2 IKAH (D1.7 KHM). VOR/DME required | Straight-in 2,460 ft (750 ft) with MA gradient 4%; 3,500 ft (1,790 ft) with MA gradient 2.5%. Circling A/B 3,100 ft (1,376 ft), C/D 3,400 ft (1,676 ft) | |
| 07 | RNP RWY 07 (LNAV) | IAC-4 / 4A | REMPO (IAF, 9,000 ft+, 250 KT) – CN071 (7,860 ft+) – MAXUT (IF, 5,960 ft+, 220 KT) | SONER (FAF) 3,900 ft, 200 KT, track 114° then 084°; 6.1% (3.5°) descent; CN072 3,155 ft+; MAPt MA07 (fly-over). FAF–THR 6.02 NM, TCH 50 ft | LNAV 2,800 ft (1,183 ft) with missed approach gradient 2.5%; 2,220 ft (603 ft) with gradient 4.5%. Circling A/B 3,100 ft (1,376 ft), C/D 3,400 ft (1,676 ft) |
| Circling only | NDB, VOR | IAC-1 | KHM at 9,500 ft, outbound 134° for 3 MIN descending to 6,000 ft, inbound 314° (racetrack) | Straight-in not authorised | Circling A/B 3,100 ft (1,376 ft), C/D 3,400 ft (1,676 ft) |
| NDB/DME, VOR/DME | IAC-2 | KHM at 9,500 ft, outbound 134° to D10 (6,000 ft), inbound 314°; 4,000 ft at D5 |
Notes on the approach charts:
- Circling approach is not authorised north of the aerodrome (all IACs) — high terrain.
- LOC RWY 25: the LLZ is offset 14° (runway centreline 249°); the final approach course intersects the runway centreline 1,400 m from the RWY 25 threshold. The offset descent path is not coincident with the PAPI. Due to the high descent rate and the 14° offset, the procedure might need crew qualification for CAT C/D aircraft.
- RNP approaches: RNP APCH approval and GNSS required; aircraft unable to comply inform Kahramanmaraş Approach on first contact. Timing is not authorised for defining the MAPt.
- Speed control on the RNP approaches: max IAS 200 KT at MAREK/SONER and the MAPt; max IAS 220 KT at BERET (RWY 25) / MAXUT (RWY 07); max IAS 250 KT at the IAFs.
- NDB/VOR approaches: max holding speed IAS 210 KT, max racetrack speed IAS 170 KT.
Minimum Sector Altitude
This is a mountainous aerodrome — respect the MSA.
- Conventional charts (25 NM, KHM VOR/NDB; sectors as bearings TO KHM): 090°–180°: 12,000 ft; 180°–270°: 12,000 ft; 270°–360°: 8,000 ft; 360°–090°: 10,000 ft. In other words, everything north of the airport is 12,000 ft; south-west 10,000 ft; south-east 8,000 ft.
- RNAV charts (25 NM, centred on DONDU on the RWY 25 charts and on MA07 on IAC-4): divided along the 056°/236° line — 13,000 ft in the north-western half and 11,000 ft in the south-eastern half.
Charted spot heights on the approach charts include 9,232 ft, 7,789 ft, 7,549 ft, 7,411 ft, 7,369 ft and 6,844 ft — check the IAC terrain shading before descending below the MSA.
Holdings
| Fix | Used for | Inbound track | Altitude | Max IAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INGAM (IAF/MAHF) | POGEN 1B (RWY 25); missed approach RNP RWY 25 | 098° | 14,000 ft | – |
| INGAM (MAHF) | INGAM 1G (RWY 07); missed approach RNP RWY 07 | 278° | 11,000 ft | – |
| DONDU (IAF) | RNP RWY 25 from M854 | 146° | 14,000 ft | – |
| REMPO (IAF) | INGAM 1G; RNP RWY 07 | 105° | 9,000 ft | – |
| KHM VOR/NDB | STAR-1; NDB/VOR approaches and their missed approach | 314° | 9,500 ft | 210 KT |
| KHM VOR | Missed approach LOC RWY 25 | 126° | 9,500 ft | – |
Missed Approach
| Approach | Missed approach procedure |
|---|---|
| RNP RWY 25 | Climb to 14,000 ft. From MA25 turn right inbound to CN461, then right to CN462, left to CN463, left to CN464, left to CN465, left to CN466 and left to INGAM (MAHF), join the holding. Max IAS 200 KT at MA25, 220 KT at CN461–CN464, 230 KT at CN465. |
| RNP RWY 07 | Climb to 11,000 ft. From MA07 turn left inbound to DIKRU, then right to ELKUM, right to BERET, right to NARGU, right to INGAM (MAHF), join the holding. Max IAS 200 KT at MA07, 220 KT at DIKRU, ELKUM, BERET and NARGU. |
| LOC RWY 25 | Turn right climbing to 6,000 ft on heading 281°, then right climbing to 9,500 ft, proceed to KHM VOR and hold. |
| NDB, VOR / NDB/DME, VOR/DME | Turn left climbing to 6,000 ft on heading 194°, then left climbing to 9,500 ft, proceed to KHM VOR/NDB and hold. |
Radio Failure
The procedures in Türkiye AIP ENR 1.3-4.5 apply (AD 2.22):
- IFR flights unable to fly RNAV procedures: proceed to the KHM VOR/NDB via STAR-1. When required to comply with ENR 1.3-4.5.3.1 f, hold over KHM until commencement of descent, then fly an instrument approach and land.
- RNAV-capable arrivals via UL/L605: proceed to INGAM (IAF) via STAR-2, hold there if required until commencement of descent, then fly the RNP approach and land.
- RNAV-capable arrivals via UM/M854: proceed to DONDU (IAF), hold there if required until commencement of descent, then fly the RNP approach and land.
Ground Operations
Ground Layout
Kahramanmaraş has a single runway, 07/25, and no parallel taxiway. Two 24 m wide taxiways connect the runway with the aprons:
- TWY A – from the runway to Apron A and the new terminal.
- TWY B – from the runway, near the RWY 25 end, to Apron B and the old terminal.
Departing and arriving aircraft therefore have to backtrack on the runway. Aircraft landing in either direction turn back at the end of the runway (AD 2.23). Engine test areas are marked near both thresholds. Stop bars and runway guard lights are not available.
Apron, Gates and Stands
Apron A (new terminal)
Five stands, 1–5, in front of the new terminal:
- Stands 1 and 5: up to B737-800 / A320.
- Stands 2, 3 and 4: up to B737-900 / A321.
Apron B (old terminal)
Two stands:
- Stand 1: A320 / B737-900.
- Stand 2: ATR 72-500.
De-icing
De-icing facilities are available (H24). The AIP does not publish a de-icing area or procedure.
Planning Taxi Time
Taxi distances are short, but every departure has to backtrack on the runway to the threshold in use, which blocks the runway for arrivals.
ATIS
Kahramanmaraş Information is broadcast on 124.950 MHz (H24). Always copy the ATIS before calling Ground.
Obtaining Clearance
There is no separate Delivery position in the AIP. Call Kahramanmaraş Ground (121.550) for your ATC clearance. In your initial call, include your callsign, stand, destination and the ATIS letter you have received.
Pushback and Engine Start
Call Ground with your callsign and stand number when you are fully ready. Ground will either clear you or ask you to standby.
Taxi Procedures
- RWY 25 departures: taxi via A (from Apron A) or B (from Apron B) and backtrack to the RWY 25 end as instructed by ATC. Note that RWY 25 has a 300 m displaced threshold, but the full 2,300 m TORA is available for take-off.
- RWY 07 departures: taxi via A or B and backtrack on the runway to the RWY 07 end, then turn around for departure.
Runway entry and backtracking are under the control of Tower; expect to be handed over from Ground before entering the runway.
| Runway | TORA | TODA | ASDA | LDA | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 | 2,300 m | 2,300 m | 2,300 m | 2,300 m | |
| 25 | 2,300 m | 2,300 m | 2,300 m | 2,000 m | 300 m displaced threshold |
Phraseology to be Used for Taxi
Pilot: Kahramanmaraş Ground, THY7EP, stand 3, request taxi.
GND: THY7EP, Kahramanmaraş Ground, taxi to holding point runway 25 via A.
Pilot: Taxi to holding point runway 25 via A, THY7EP.
(approaching the holding point)
GND: THY7EP, contact Kahramanmaraş Tower 118.750.
Pilot: Kahramanmaraş Tower 118.750, THY7EP.
TWR: THY7EP, Kahramanmaraş Tower, enter runway 25 and backtrack, report ready.
Departure Procedures
RECAT - LTCN
Turkish airspace uses wake turbulence re-categorisation (RECAT-EU). More information on SkyBrary.
| RECAT LTCN | Follower | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Heavy (A) | Upper Heavy (B) | Lower Heavy (C) | Upper Medium (D) | Lower Medium (E) | Light (F) | ||
| Leader | A Super Heavy | 80s | 100s | 120s | 140s | 160s | 180s |
| B Upper Heavy | 80s | 80s | 80s | 100s | 120s | 140s | |
| C Lower Heavy | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 100s | 120s | |
| D Upper Medium | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 120s | |
| E Lower Medium | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 100s | |
| F Light | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | |
Minimum Runway Occupancy Time for Departures
AD 2.20 (Local Aerodrome Regulations) is NIL for LTCN — no MROT or pilot reaction-time rules are published. As the runway has no parallel taxiway, be ready for departure when you enter the runway and keep backtracking and line-up time to a minimum.
SIDs
All SIDs end at REMPO (KHM R-282/D24, on airway L605), which must be the first point of your flight-planned route (e.g. REMPO L605 ...). The RNAV (GNSS) SIDs require RNP 1.
| Runway | SID | Type / chart | Route | Minimum climb gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | REMPO 1A | RNAV (SID-1) | To CN101 on course 264°M (5.6 NM) at 220 KT, turn right to REMPO (288°, 18.3 NM) and join airway L605 | 5.5% up to 11,000 ft |
| 07 | REMPO 1R | RNAV (SID-2) | To DIKRU on course 076°M, turn right to ELKUM at or above 6,000 ft, turn right to BERET max 270 KT, turn right to NARGU at or above 9,000 ft, turn right to INGAM at or above 12,000 ft, to POGEN, turn right to REMPO and join the airway | 5% up to 6,000 ft |
| 07 | REMPO 1C | Conventional (SID-3) | Climb on R-070 (070° of KHM NDB) until 4 DME, then turn right to KHM VOR at or above 6,200 ft, intercept KHM R-282 to REMPO and join the airway | 7% (425 ft/NM) up to 6,200 ft |
| 25 | REMPO 1P | Conventional (SID-4) | Climb on R-248 (248° of KHM NDB) until passing 4,000 ft, then turn left to KHM VOR at or above 6,200 ft, intercept KHM R-282 to REMPO and join the airway | 7% (425 ft/NM) up to 6,200 ft |
Note the RWY 07 RNAV SID: because of the terrain north of the field, REMPO 1R first climbs east (DIKRU – ELKUM – BERET – NARGU), turns back west over INGAM at 12,000 ft or above and only then heads to POGEN and REMPO. The conventional SIDs climb back over the KHM VOR to 6,200 ft before turning out to REMPO. Check that your aircraft can meet the climb gradients (up to 7%) at this elevation.
Noise Abatement Procedures
Aircraft certified to ICAO Annex 16 Vol. I Chapter 3 must apply NADP-2; Chapter 2 aircraft apply NADP-1 only. All other aircraft apply NADP-1 or NADP-2. Noise abatement procedures apply until passing 3,000 ft.
Airborne
Unless instructed otherwise, contact Kahramanmaraş Approach after take-off when instructed by Tower (TWR and APP share 118.750 / 120.600). Comply with all speed and altitude restrictions on the SID, and tell ATC if you cannot fly the assigned SID.
TWR: THY7EP, contact Kahramanmaraş Approach 120.600, goodbye.
Pilot: Kahramanmaraş Approach 120.600, THY7EP, goodbye.
Pilot: Kahramanmaraş Approach, THY7EP, passing 3,500 ft climbing FL110, REMPO 1A.
APP: THY7EP, Kahramanmaraş Approach, radar contact, climb FL150.
After Departure
After REMPO you continue on airway L605 and leave the Kahramanmaraş TMA, where you will be handed over to Ankara Control depending on your route.
Thank you for flying with TRvACC — hope to see you again in Kahramanmaraş!
Frequencies
| Station | Callsign | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ATIS | Kahramanmaraş Information | 124.950 |
| Ground | Kahramanmaraş Ground | 121.550 |
| Tower / Approach | Kahramanmaraş Tower / Kahramanmaraş Approach (AD 2.18: "Kahramanmaraş TWR/APP") | 118.750, 120.600 (UHF 278.625) |
Approach service is provided by Kahramanmaraş Approach, or by Kahramanmaraş Tower when required or when transferred by Kahramanmaraş Approach. All services H24.
References
- Türkiye AIP, AD 2 LTCN – Kahramanmaraş, text pages AD 2.1–2.24 (AIRAC 2610)
- AD 2 LTCN ADC – Aerodrome Chart
- AD 2 LTCN PRKG – Aircraft Parking/Docking Chart
- AD 2 LTCN SID-1 (RNAV RWY 25), SID-2 (RNAV RWY 07), SID-3 (conventional RWY 07), SID-4 (conventional RWY 25)
- AD 2 LTCN STAR-1 (conventional VOR/NDB), STAR-2 (RNAV RWY 25), STAR-3 (RNAV RWY 07)
- AD 2 LTCN IAC-1 (NDB, VOR), IAC-2 (NDB/DME, VOR/DME), IAC-3/3A/3B (RNP RWY 25), IAC-4/4A (RNP RWY 07), IAC-5 (LOC RWY 25) – Instrument Approach Charts
- AD 2 LTCN BRD – Bird Concentrations and Movements Chart