Chart Wise: Wichita ILS or Local Rwy 1L

Low-visibility arrivals and parallel approach procedures can be mastered to visit ‘Air Capital of the World.’

Jason Blair

Thursday, November 05, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (KICT) in Kansas [Credit: Grant Boyd]

Key Takeaways:

Wichita's KICT Runway 1L is equipped with extensive lighting, including in-runway, high-intensity, and touchdown zone/centerline lights, to significantly aid pilots during low-visibility approaches.
The airport's well-spaced parallel runways allow for simultaneous approaches, emphasizing the need for strict localizer adherence and diligent monitoring of traditional outer and inner marker beacons, as the IAF/FAF (CHITO) lacks DME.
The missed approach procedure for Runway 1L requires pilots to climb to 3,000 feet MSL *before* turning towards the ICT VOR, eventually holding north of the VOR at 3,600 feet MSL.

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Home to a great deal of aviation manufacturing history, Wichita, Kansas, also happens to boast a big airport (KICT) with parallel runways that you just might get to use if you need to fly an approach. In the worst of weather, the ILS or LOC RWY 1L might be your best choice.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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