KCRE Grand Strand Airport — Instrument Checkride Guide

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

Grand Strand Airport (KCRE) is a public-use airport located approximately 1 nm northwest of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at 31.6 ft MSL. The airport operates a single runway (5/23) and provides controlled airspace during tower hours, with Class D airspace when the tower is active. Myrtle Beach Approach provides radar services for arriving and departing IFR aircraft on 119.2 MHz. ATIS is on 119.625 MHz; tower is 124.6 MHz; ground is 121.8 MHz.

Nearby Myrtle Beach International (KMYR) operates under Class C airspace, which affects IFR routing in the area. Pilots transitioning between KCRE and KMYR should coordinate with Myrtle Beach Approach. KCRE's single-runway configuration and limited approach options make it an excellent teaching environment for discussing non-precision approaches, alternate minimums, and coastal weather decision-making.

What instrument approaches are published at KCRE?

KCRE publishes 5 instrument approach procedures, sourced from AirNav. The ILS or LOC RWY 23 is the only precision approach.

Special alternate minimums are published for KCRE — always check the front of the plate before filing the airport as an alternate. LOC-only minima on RWY 23 carry a higher MDA and reduced visibility credit compared to the ILS DA line. Verify current minima on official FAA charts before flight.

What is the runway configuration at KCRE?

KCRE operates a single runway — 05/23 — measuring 5,997 × 100 ft of asphalt in good condition, per AirNav. Runway 23 has MALSR approach lighting and a PAPI on each runway end for visual slope guidance.

The single-runway configuration means that all instrument approaches funnel to one of two runway ends. Wind direction is particularly important: a strong onshore sea breeze favors runway 23, while an offshore flow favors runway 05. Only the VOR and RNAV procedures serve runway 05 — if the ILS is required, runway 23 must be in use.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KCRE?

Grand Strand's position on the South Carolina coast creates a predictable pattern of sea-breeze fog and low ceilings from spring through early summer. Warm moist air over the cool Atlantic surfaces can reduce ceilings to 200–300 ft with visibilities below 1 mile during overnight and early morning hours. This pattern typically burns off by mid-morning as solar heating reverses the boundary layer, but it can persist through the day during prolonged onshore flow events.

Offshore military operations areas (MOAs) and restricted areas are documented near the Grand Strand coast. These do not directly affect instrument approach procedures at KCRE, but pilots routing via coastal airways should check NOTAM status before flight. Banner tow operations along the beach are a documented visual hazard at low altitudes, and seagulls are a persistent wildlife concern. The National Weather Service Wilmington (ILM) office issues terminal forecasts and special weather statements for the Grand Strand area.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KCRE?

A checkride segment at KCRE focuses the DPE's attention on non-precision approach discipline and alternate planning — two areas that the FAA ACS evaluates explicitly. With only one precision approach (ILS RWY 23) and four non-precision options, the examiner has natural opportunities to discuss MDA versus DA, VASI/PAPI use at night, and the practical differences between an ILS and a VOR approach to the same runway.

Expect the DPE to ask you to brief the alternate minimums before the flight. KCRE's special alternate minimums are not the standard 1-2-3 values, and demonstrating awareness of this — and the ability to locate the non-standard values in the plate book — is an evaluable knowledge element under ACS Area I. During the approach, the DPE may ask you to fly the LOC-only line instead of the ILS, which tests your ability to identify and apply the correct MDA rather than the ILS DA.

Coastal visibility changes can be rapid. If you break out above MDA and then re-enter IMC before the runway environment is in sight, 14 CFR 91.175(c) requires a missed approach — you may not descend further. The DPE will note whether your missed approach point recognition is immediate and your climb-out heading is precise. Holding at a coastal fix or VOR may also be assigned to test entry procedure and EFC management.

Practice Questions

1. You are flying the ILS RWY 23 at KCRE and the glideslope fails inside the outer marker. What are your options, and what minima apply if you continue the approach?

2. You are filing KCRE as an alternate on an IFR flight plan. You know the standard alternate minimums are 600-2 (precision) and 800-2 (non-precision). Why must you check the front of the KCRE approach plate before filing?

3. On the VOR RWY 23 approach, you reach MDA with the runway not in sight. The approach lights become visible 10 seconds later. Under 14 CFR 91.175(c), what visual references permit you to continue descent below MDA?

4. You are inbound for the RNAV (GPS) RWY 05 approach with LPV guidance active. What DA applies — the LPV line or the LNAV line — and what equipment requirement must be met to use LPV?

5. Myrtle Beach Approach vectors you for the ILS RWY 23 at KCRE but assigns a final approach course heading of 215 degrees. The ILS final approach course is 227 degrees. How far off-course is the vector, and at what point should you intercept the localizer?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KCRE?

KCRE publishes 5 instrument approaches: ILS or LOC Runway 23, RNAV (GPS) Runway 05, RNAV (GPS) Runway 23, VOR Runway 05, and VOR Runway 23. The ILS RWY 23 is the only precision approach. Special alternate minimums apply — check the front of the approach plate before filing.

Q: What is the airspace class at Grand Strand Airport?

KCRE operates within Class D airspace during tower hours. Outside tower hours, the airspace reverts and pilots should monitor CTAF. Nearby Myrtle Beach International (KMYR) has Class C airspace that affects routing in the area.

Q: What are the communications frequencies at KCRE?

KCRE ATIS is on 119.625 MHz. Tower frequency is 124.6 MHz. Myrtle Beach Approach, which serves KCRE, operates on 119.2 MHz. Ground is 121.8 MHz.

Q: What is the elevation at Grand Strand Airport?

KCRE is at 31.6 ft MSL (surveyed), per AirNav data. The low coastal elevation means density altitude is a non-issue, but sea-level pressure setting is critical — the altimeter setting source is Myrtle Beach when KCRE is not reporting.

Q: Does KCRE have an ILS approach?

Yes. KCRE publishes the ILS or LOC RWY 23 approach — the only precision approach at the airport. The ILS provides vertical guidance down to the published DA. The LOC-only line carries a higher MDA and reduced visibility credit.

Q: What weather hazards should IFR pilots expect near KCRE?

Grand Strand's coastal location produces sea-breeze fog and low ceilings, particularly in spring and early summer. Military operations areas offshore and banner tow operations along the beach are documented NOTAM hazards. Seagulls are a persistent wildlife hazard at and near the airport.

Q: What are the alternate minimums at KCRE?

KCRE has special alternate minimums published in the front of the approach plate book. These are non-standard and must be checked — the airport cannot be filed as an alternate under standard 1-2-3 rules without verifying the published values meet 14 CFR 91.169 alternate minimums requirements.

Sources

• AirNav — KCRE Airport Information
• SkyVector — KCRE Instrument Approach Procedures
• 14 CFR 91.169 — IFR Flight Plan: Alternate Requirements (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR (Cornell LII)
• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B

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