KCRG Jacksonville Executive at Craig — IFR Checkride Guide

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

Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (KCRG) is a public-use general aviation airport in Jacksonville, Florida, at 40.7 ft MSL. It operates Class D airspace during tower hours (0600–2300 Mon–Fri, 0700–2200 Sat–Sun) and is located within the Jacksonville International (KJAX) Class C airspace area. IFR arrivals and departures are coordinated through Jacksonville Approach on 124.9 MHz. ATIS is on 125.4 MHz; tower is 132.1 MHz; ground is 121.8 MHz during tower hours.

KCRG is the departure airport in a common North Florida IFR scenario — CRG to GNV — and serves as a practical environment for discussing how Class D airports operate inside larger Class C terminal areas, restricted airspace routing, and the procedural differences between operating IFR with and without an active control tower. Restricted Area R-2906 near Jacksonville requires NOTAM checks before flight.

What instrument approaches are published at KCRG?

KCRG publishes 4 instrument approach procedures, sourced from AirNav. The ILS or LOC RWY 32 is the only precision approach.

Always verify current minima on official FAA charts before flight. The LOC-only line on RWY 32 carries a higher MDA and different visibility requirements than the ILS DA line on the same plate.

What is the runway configuration at KCRG?

KCRG operates 2 runways in a crossing configuration, per AirNav. Neither runway exceeds 4,100 ft, which is typical for general aviation reliever airports but limits aircraft type and weight.

Visual slope indicators (PAPI) are installed on all runway ends with specific usability limitations noted for runway 5/23 approaches — check the chart supplement for details. Active runway selection depends on wind; runway 32 is preferred when winds favor a northwest approach and the ILS is available.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KCRG?

Jacksonville's north Florida coastal location produces a predictable pattern of afternoon sea-breeze convection in summer. Cells build rapidly from noon onward along the convergence zone between Atlantic and Gulf sea breezes, often producing rapidly deteriorating VFR conditions that turn an afternoon IFR flight into a weather-decision scenario. Thunderstorms with heavy rain and wind shear can develop within 30 minutes.

Morning coastal fog forms frequently from October through March when clear skies, light winds, and high humidity allow overnight radiative cooling. These fog events can drop KCRG visibility to a quarter mile or less before sunrise and persist until solar heating breaks the inversion — sometimes late morning. Bird activity near the airport increases significantly during inclement weather, per AirNav airport notes. The National Weather Service Jacksonville (JAX) office issues terminal aerodrome forecasts for the area.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KCRG?

A checkride segment at KCRG gives the DPE natural opportunities to evaluate airspace awareness, tower-hours awareness, and restricted airspace management — all ACS knowledge elements. Before the flight, the DPE will likely ask you to identify R-2906 on the sectional or en route chart, explain its activation process, and describe how ATC will route you around it if active.

During departure, expect a transition into Jacksonville's Class C airspace environment even though KCRG itself is Class D. Understanding the difference — that Class C requires two-way communication and transponder with Mode C per 14 CFR 91.130, while Class D requires only two-way communication — is a likely oral question. The DPE may also ask what procedures govern IFR operations when the KCRG tower is closed.

The ILS or LOC RWY 32 is the primary precision approach and the one most likely to be assigned on a checkride. Applicants should be prepared to fly the full procedure from the IAF if radar vectors are not available, and to brief the missed approach procedure before descending on the glideslope. Under 14 CFR 91.175(e), once below DA, the missed approach is mandatory if required visual references are lost. At KCRG's short runways, a stabilized approach and normal landing is essential — there is minimal room for a long flare or floating.

Practice Questions

1. You are departing KCRG IFR when the control tower closes at 2300 local. Your clearance is already on file with Jacksonville Approach. What changes in how you receive your clearance, and what frequency do you use for taxi and takeoff?

2. You are routing northeast from KCRG and your route passes through R-2906. The NOTAM shows the area active from the surface to FL180. What are your options, and what phraseology would you use to request deviation?

3. On the ILS RWY 32 approach at KCRG, you capture the glideslope but notice the localizer needle is pegged full-scale deflection. What do you do, and what minima apply if you continue to the published LOC minimums?

4. Jacksonville Approach clears you for the RNAV (GPS) RWY 14 approach. Your GPS shows LNAV/VNAV guidance available but not LPV. How do the minima differ between LNAV/VNAV and LPV, and what equipment distinguishes them?

5. After a missed approach at KCRG, Jacksonville Approach asks you to hold at Craig VOR. The holding instruction gives you "hold east, right turns, expect further clearance in 20 minutes." Identify your entry procedure from a magnetic heading of 290 degrees inbound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KCRG?

KCRG publishes 4 instrument approaches: ILS or LOC Runway 32, RNAV (GPS) Runway 14, RNAV (GPS) Runway 32, and VOR Runway 14. The ILS or LOC RWY 32 is the sole precision approach. Always verify current minima on official FAA charts before flight.

Q: What airspace class is Jacksonville Executive at Craig?

KCRG operates in Class D airspace when the tower is active. Jacksonville International (KJAX) Class C airspace overlies portions of the KCRG operating area — IFR departures and arrivals are coordinated through Jacksonville Approach. Outside tower hours, the airspace reverts to Class E.

Q: What are the communications frequencies at KCRG?

KCRG ATIS is 125.4 MHz. Tower is 132.1 MHz (limited hours: 0600–2300 Mon–Fri, 0700–2200 Sat–Sun). Jacksonville Approach handles IFR operations on 124.9 MHz. Ground is 121.8 MHz during tower hours.

Q: What is the elevation at Craig Airport?

KCRG is at 40.7 ft MSL (surveyed), per AirNav data. The low elevation and flat coastal terrain mean density altitude is rarely a factor, but coastal fog and restricted airspace (R-2906) nearby make IFR awareness essential for every flight.

Q: What restricted airspace is near KCRG?

Restricted Area R-2906 lies near Jacksonville and affects routing for IFR flights operating east of the airport. Pilots must check NOTAMs for active periods — on an IFR clearance, Jacksonville Approach will route you around active restricted areas, but understanding the airspace is an ACS knowledge element.

Q: Does KCRG have tower hours limitations for IFR operations?

Yes. The control tower at KCRG operates limited hours: 0600–2300 Monday–Friday and 0700–2200 Saturday–Sunday (local). Outside these hours, IFR operations require coordination directly with Jacksonville Approach, and ground control is unavailable.

Q: What weather hazards should IFR pilots expect at KCRG?

KCRG's north Florida coastal location produces sea-breeze convection in summer afternoons, with cells building rapidly after noon. Morning coastal fog is common in autumn and winter. Bird activity increases near the airport during inclement weather per the official airport notes.

Sources

• AirNav — KCRG Airport Information
• SkyVector — KCRG Instrument Approach Procedures
• 14 CFR 91.130 — Operations in Class C Airspace (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.