Chart Wise: Paine Field ILS Y or LOC Y Rwy 16R

Here are the procedures, limitations, and details for this busy Seattle-area airport.

Jason Blair

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Seattle Paine Field is a tactical hub for the region, housing more than 500 aircraft of all categories. [Credit: Snohomish County]

Key Takeaways:

The ILS Y or LOC Y approach to KPAE's Runway 16R uses feeder routes from VORs, with key waypoints identifiable via DME from either the PAE or CVV VORs.
Specific operational restrictions for this approach include no circling to Runway 34R at night, and it is only authorized for aircraft in speed categories A and B (under 120 knots).
Runway 16R/34L at KPAE features a PAPI lighting system for visual glide path guidance and centerline lighting that changes color to indicate remaining runway length.

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Tucked under the north side of Seattle’s very busy Class B airspace is Seattle Paine Field International (KPAE) in Everett, Washington. The airport is home to the Boeing factory, the largest building on earth by volume, airline operations, and a robust general aviation contingent.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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