Airport Operations

Operating Hours

• Tower:

  6:30 AM - 11:00 PM (Mon-Fri)
  7:00 AM - 11:00 PM (Sat-Sun)
• Class D:

  During tower hours
• Class G:

  When tower is closed

Traffic Pattern Altitudes

• Single Engine:
  2,000' MSL (1,000' AGL)
• Multi-Engine/Heavy:

  2,500' MSL (1,500' AGL)

Prior Permission Required

• Aircraft Over 75,000 lbs. MTOW:

  Contact 770-936-5440 or submit web form
• Military Operations:

  Contact 770-936-5440 or submit web form (preferred)
• Class G:

  When tower is closed

Night Curfew

• Voluntary Restriction:
  11:00 PM - 6:00 AM daily
  Emergency and aero-medical operations exempt.

Runway 3R-21L

• Length: 6,001' × 100'
• Surface: Concrete/Grooved
• Weight: Single 46,000 lbs / Dual 75,000 lbs
• Aids: REIL/VASI (03R), MALSF/PAPI (21L)
• Note: 1,000' displaced threshold on 21L

Runway 3L-21R

• Length: 3,744' × 150'
• Surface: Asphalt
• Weight: Single 20,000 lbs
• Aids: PAPI both ends

Runway 16-34

• Length: 3,966' × 150'
• Surface: Asphalt
• Weight: Single 20,000 lbs / Dual 75,000 lbs
• Aids: REIL/VASI (34)

Runway 9-27

• Decommissioned

Helipad Charlie

• Size: 56' × 56' 
• Surface: Concrete 
• Location: North of Runway 16 threshold
• Note: Heavy helicopter traffic in NW corner of airport

Ground Movement

• Non-movement Areas: All of Taxilane 'K', ‘L’,  and all apron/ramp areas are not controlled by ATC. Movement in these areas is at pilot's discretion and risk.

Important: These procedures are recommendations for community relations but must never compromise flight safety. Safety takes precedence over noise considerations.

Preferential Runway Use: When tower is operating, northbound flow preferred, however ATC may dictate that Runway 21L be used instead. When closed, use Runway 03R for departures when conditions permit.

Night Operations: Voluntary curfew 11:00 PM - 6:00 AM. Touch-and-go operations discouraged 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Touch-and-Go Restrictions: 

• Use outlying airports when possible
• Discouraged Sunday 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM  (nearby church services)

Maintenance Run-ups: Prohibited 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM. Use designated areas only (Taxiway J pad preferred, or East Ops Area).

Intersection Takeoffs: Not recommended for noise abatement.

Reverse Thrust: Limit use beyond idle power. Use only for early runway turnoff.

Instrument Approaches: Runway 21L GPS/RNAV approach preferred for noise abatement.

Turbine Aircraft: Runway 21L GPS/RNAV approach preferred for noise abatement.

Noise Monitoring: PDK operates a Noise and Operations Monitoring System (NOMS). Operators producing high noise events may be contacted for education and compliance.

Flying for Fun at PDK

Recreational drone flying does not require FAA approval, but you must follow safety guidelines and notify PDK when operating within 5 miles of the airport.

Weight Restrictions

55 pounds maximum unless certified by an aero modeling community-based organization.

Commercial Operations

All commercial drone operations require FAA authorization and PDK approval.

Section 333 Exemption

Grants exemption for commercial operations in low-risk, controlled environments. Requires both a Section 333 exemption and a Civil Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA).

Special Airworthiness Certificate (SAC)

For experimental operations including research and development, crew training, and market surveys. Carrying persons or property for hire is prohibited.

Type Certificate

Required for restricted category operations or production aircraft. Contact the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office at 562-627-5200 for more information.

Contact Information for Commercial Authorization:

• Airworthiness Certification: 202-267-1575
• Aircraft Certification Office: 562-627-5200

DO:

• Fly at your local model aircraft club
• Take lessons and learn to fly safely
• Contact PDK when flying within 5 miles
• Fly for personal enjoyment only
• Stay within visual line of sight

DON’T:

• Fly near manned aircraft
• Fly beyond your line of sight
• Fly aircraft over 55 lbs. (unless certified)
• Ignore community safety guidelines
• Fly for payment or commercial purposes

B4UFLY Smartphone App  
All unmanned aircraft must be registered with the FAA. Visit: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates

PDK Airport Approval

Required for operations within 5 miles of PDK. Contact us with your FAA-approved 333 exemption and COA documentation

LAANC Authorization

(Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) Provides access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet through the DroneZone system.

Contact PDK for Approval

Required for all drone operations within 5 miles of the airport

• Phone: 770-936-5440
• Email: PDKcomments@dekalbcountyga.gov

B4UFLY Smartphone App

Essential tool that shows flight restrictions and requirements for your location

Features:

• Clear status indicator for your location
• Planning mode for future flights
• Interactive maps with filtering options
• Links to FAA resources and regulations

Download B4UFLY

LAANC & DroneZone  
Online system for requesting authorization to fly in controlled airspace. 

Provides real-time approval for operations at or below 400 feet.

Download LAANC

Drone Pilot Educational Campaigns

The "Know Before You Fly" campaign provides comprehensive safety education for drone operators of all levels.

Download "Know Before You Fly"