KILM Wilmington International — Instrument Checkride Guide

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

Wilmington International Airport (KILM) is a commercial service and joint-use military airport located in Wilmington, North Carolina, 3 nm north of downtown. Elevation is 32 ft MSL. The airport operates within Class C airspace and shares the field with the North Carolina Air National Guard 145th Airlift Wing. IFR operations are managed by Wilmington Approach Control.

ATIS broadcasts on 124.975 MHz. Tower is on 119.9 MHz. Wilmington Approach handles arrivals on 118.25 MHz (south and west) and 135.75 MHz (north and east). Ground is 121.9 MHz. Clearance delivery is 120.875 MHz. The joint-use military environment means military traffic, cargo operations, and general aviation share ATC resources — controller workload can spike during Guard unit exercises.

What instrument approaches are published at KILM?

All approach data sourced from AirNav — KILM. KILM has one of the more comprehensive approach suites for a Class C airport, with multiple ILS procedures and RNAV coverage on all four runway ends. Always verify current minima on official FAA charts before flight.

The Y and Z designators on the ILS procedures indicate separate procedures to the same runway with different transition routing or minima. Always brief the specific procedure assigned by ATC — "ILS Y RWY 06" and "ILS Z RWY 06" have different initial approach fixes and may have different missed approach instructions.

What is the runway configuration at KILM?

KILM operates 2 intersecting runways. The primary IFR runway is 06/24 at 8,016 feet — long enough for most commercial and general aviation jets. Runway 17/35 at 7,754 feet is also ILS-equipped on both the 35 end (ILS Y or LOC) and used for RNAV approaches on all ends. Both runways have grooved asphalt surfaces.

The intersection of the two runways requires ATC coordination for simultaneous operations. DPEs at KILM typically favor runway 06 or 24 for checkride ILS approaches given the longer length and precision guidance on both ends.

What weather should instrument pilots expect at KILM?

Wilmington sits on the Cape Fear River 10 nm from the Atlantic coast — a geography that amplifies weather intensity. Sea fog is the dominant IFR hazard from March through July. Warm, moist air moving over cooler coastal waters produces advection fog that can reduce visibility to near zero within an hour. KILM's low elevation of 32 ft MSL means it frequently sits in the fog layer while airports 30 nm inland are reporting clear skies.

Nor'easter events from November through March bring sustained northeast winds, heavy rain or snow, and low ceilings to the Wilmington area. These systems track northeast along the Carolina coast and can park offshore for 24-48 hours, producing prolonged IFR conditions. The combination of heavy precipitation, low visibility, and crosswind runway 17/35 being favored with northeast winds makes nor'easters particularly demanding at KILM.

Tropical systems from June through November represent the most acute weather hazard. Wilmington has been struck or closely missed by several significant hurricanes — the city sits in a high-frequency landfall zone for Atlantic storms tracking the Southeast coast. Monitor the National Hurricane Center product suite during tropical season, and be prepared to depart or suspend operations if a track toward the Wilmington area develops.

Summer convective weather develops rapidly on unstable afternoons. Sea breeze convergence zones along the Carolina coast produce afternoon thunderstorm clusters that can move onshore with little warning. Convective SIGMETs are issued frequently along the coastal plain from June through August.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KILM?

KILM is a common destination for instrument checkrides originating from airports like KFAY, KRDU, or private airstrips in the eastern Carolina coastal plain. The DPE will likely assign the ILS Y or LOC RWY 06 or ILS Y or LOC RWY 24 as the primary approach — both are full ILS procedures with established transition routes.

The Y and Z designators require careful briefing. Before departure, confirm with the DPE which specific procedure designator will be assigned and pre-brief accordingly. Confusing ILS Y RWY 24 with ILS Z RWY 24 in the cockpit — different initial approach fixes, potentially different minimums — is an error the DPE will note. This is a direct test of ACS Area VI pre-approach planning.

Wilmington Approach will sequence you into the terminal area, likely from the northwest via the published STARS or radar vectors. Expect a final vector to intercept the localizer outside the outer marker — confirm you are established before descending on the glideslope. The DPE will observe whether you intercept the glideslope from below (correct) or from above (a stabilization error).

The military environment at KILM means occasional ATC instruction changes due to military traffic priority. A C-130 departing from the Guard ramp has priority handling — you may receive a revised clearance, a hold, or a speed restriction with short notice. Task management under unexpected ATC changes is an evaluable skill under ACS Area II.

Missed approach execution from runway 06 climbs toward the coast; from runway 24 it climbs inland. Know which missed approach you are briefed for before starting the approach. Under 14 CFR 91.175(e), if a missed approach becomes necessary below DA, it must be initiated immediately — do not continue past DA without the required visual references.

Practice Questions

1. Wilmington Approach clears you for the "ILS Z Runway 06 approach." Your plate for the ILS Y RWY 06 is already pulled up. What must you do before starting the approach, and what hazard exists if you fly the Y procedure when cleared for the Z?

2. You are vectored to the ILS Y RWY 24 final and intercept the localizer at 3,500 feet. The glideslope needle shows full deflection above center. What does this mean, and what is the correct technique for glideslope interception?

3. A C-130 from the Guard ramp is given priority departure by the tower and you are told to go around from short final. You are not on an instrument approach — this is a visual departure leg on the checkride. Describe your go-around procedure and the call you make to the tower.

4. After completing the ILS Y RWY 24, the DPE assigns you the RNAV (GPS) RWY 35. You note the chart shows LPV and LNAV/VNAV minimums. Explain which line of minima applies and what equipment is required for each.

5. During the oral exam, the DPE asks you to explain why KILM's approach chart shows both ILS Y and ILS Z to the same runway. What operational or procedural difference between the two procedures justifies the separate charting?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KILM?

KILM publishes ILS Y or LOC to runways 06, 24, and 35; ILS Z procedures to runways 06 and 24; ILS Y RWY 24 (SA CAT I-II); and RNAV (GPS) approaches to runways 06, 17, 24, and 35. A TACAN-A procedure is also published for military operations.

Q: What is the airspace class at Wilmington International Airport?

KILM operates within Class C airspace. Under 14 CFR 91.130, two-way radio communication with Wilmington Approach is required before entering Class C airspace. IFR clearances automatically satisfy this requirement as part of the departure or approach sequence.

Q: How many runways does KILM have?

KILM has 2 runways. Runway 06/24 is 8,016 feet long and 150 feet wide — the primary IFR runway. Runway 17/35 is 7,754 feet by 150 feet. Both have grooved asphalt surfaces and published ILS procedures on multiple ends.

Q: What are the ATC frequencies at KILM?

ATIS broadcasts on 124.975 MHz. Tower is on 119.9 MHz. Wilmington Approach operates on 118.25 and 135.75 MHz. Ground is 121.9 MHz. Clearance delivery is on 120.875 MHz.

Q: What weather hazards should instrument pilots expect at KILM?

Wilmington's coastal location on the Cape Fear River produces frequent sea fog and low ceilings, particularly in spring and fall. Nor'easter events bring heavy rain, snow, and northeast winds. Summer afternoon thunderstorm activity is common along the Carolina coast, and tropical systems can produce prolonged IFR conditions.

Q: Does KILM have a CAT II ILS approach?

Yes. The ILS Y RWY 24 is certified for SA CAT I-II operations. CAT II minimums require specific aircraft equipment, pilot certification, and airport infrastructure. A standard instrument rating practical test uses CAT I minimums unless the DPE and aircraft are specifically authorized otherwise.

Q: What military operations affect KILM?

KILM hosts the North Carolina Air National Guard 145th Airlift Wing and publishes a TACAN-A approach for military operations. Pilots should monitor NOTAMs for military flight activity that may affect ATC sequencing and runway availability.

Sources

• AirNav — KILM Airport Information
• SkyVector — KILM 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 Editorial Team. Last updated: May 2026. If you spot an inaccuracy, email corrections@mockdpe.org.