KRMG Richard B. Russell Regional — Instrument Checkride Guide

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

Richard B. Russell Regional Airport (KRMG) — also known as J.H. Towers Field — serves Rome, Georgia at 644 ft MSL in the Ridge and Valley region of northwest Georgia. The airport has no control tower. Pilots use CTAF 122.725 MHz for all position announcements. IFR services are provided by Atlanta Center (ZTL) on 124.5 MHz, which handles both approach sequencing and en route clearance delivery.

IFR clearances at KRMG are obtained by radio to Atlanta Center or by calling the AFSS before engine start. When radio contact with Center is not possible on the ground, pilots use the void-time clearance procedure — if not airborne by the published void time, the clearance is invalid and must be re-issued. The DPE will expect you to understand this procedure thoroughly.

What instrument approaches are published at KRMG?

KRMG publishes five instrument approach procedures, sourced from FAA NFDC.

The ILS RWY 01 is the only precision approach at KRMG. All RNAV approaches are non-precision procedures — verify whether LPV lines of minima are published on the current chart. Always consult official FAA approach plates for current minima; 14 CFR 91.175 governs descent and visibility requirements at MDA and DA.

What is the runway configuration at KRMG?

KRMG operates two crossing runways. The primary IFR runway is oriented north–south; the secondary runway is oriented east–west.

Runway 01/19 at 7,010 ft is the primary IFR runway and supports the ILS approach to Runway 01. Runway 07/25 at 4,498 ft has RNAV approaches but no ILS. Active runway selection at a non-towered airport is the pilot's responsibility — you must monitor CTAF, determine the active runway from the wind sock and any traffic reports, and self-announce your intentions.

How does non-towered IFR operation work at KRMG?

Operating IFR at a non-towered airport like KRMG requires procedures that differ fundamentally from a towered environment. There are 3 key differences an instrument pilot must know:

Clearance delivery. With no clearance delivery frequency, IFR clearances are obtained via radio to Atlanta Center on 124.5 MHz or by phone prior to departure. If radio contact cannot be established, the pilot calls the AFSS. The clearance will typically include a "clearance void if not airborne by" time — often 10–30 minutes — which the pilot must honor.

Traffic separation. In a towered environment, ATC separates IFR from VFR traffic. At KRMG, VFR traffic operates on CTAF without ATC sequencing. IFR pilots must broadcast position and intentions on CTAF 122.725 MHz throughout the approach and departure to alert uncontrolled VFR traffic.

Missed approach. After a missed approach at KRMG, the pilot contacts Atlanta Center on 124.5 MHz and coordinates for another approach or vectors to an alternate. There is no approach controller to provide immediate radar identification — the pilot must state position and altitude clearly and follow Center's instructions.

The FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B) covers non-towered IFR operations in detail.

What terrain and weather challenges exist near KRMG?

KRMG sits in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province of northwest Georgia. Lookout Mountain rises to over 2,000 ft MSL approximately 12 nm to the northwest, and Taylor Ridge parallels it to the west. These ridges drive the obstacle clearance altitudes and MEAs on the ILS RWY 01 approach — the approach descends from the north toward the valley floor, and terrain on the missed approach side demands prompt climb to the published altitude.

Valley fog is the primary IFR weather hazard at KRMG. Cold air drains off the surrounding ridges overnight and pools in the Rome valley, producing radiation fog that can drop visibility to near zero with ceilings at 100–200 ft from October through March. This fog characteristically lifts rapidly after solar heating begins, but can persist until 1100–1200 local on heavily overcast days. Pilots planning morning departures or arrivals should obtain current pilot reports (PIREPs) from Atlanta Center.

Afternoon convective activity is common May through September. The ridge-and-valley terrain can focus convective development locally, producing cells that move quickly and unpredictably across the area.

What should you expect on an instrument checkride at KRMG?

A checkride at KRMG specifically tests non-towered IFR competency — a skill set that pilots who train exclusively at towered airports sometimes lack. The DPE will observe whether you correctly obtain a clearance at a non-towered airport, use CTAF appropriately during approach and missed approach, and make sound go/no-go decisions without ATC telling you what to do.

The ILS RWY 01 is the primary approach for checkride evaluation. After vectors or a procedure turn inbound, you will fly the ILS toward Rome from the north, descending through ridge and valley terrain to the published DA. The DPE will confirm you call DA and execute the missed approach immediately if visual references are not obtained — terrain on the missed approach emphasizes the importance of immediate climb to the published missed approach altitude.

Non-precision approaches on Runways 07, 19, and 25 give the DPE additional evaluation tools. Flying an RNAV (GPS) approach without LPV guidance — tracking to MDA, leveling off, looking for visual references, and executing a timely missed approach — tests discipline that precision approach training alone does not build.

Holding at KRMG is coordinated through Atlanta Center. The DPE may assign a hold at a fix on the ILS and ask you to obtain an EFC time from Center and manage your fuel accordingly under 14 CFR 91.169 alternate requirements.

Practice Questions

1. You are on the ground at KRMG and ready to depart IFR. You receive a clearance from Atlanta Center with a void time of 15 minutes. You are delayed by an avionics issue and the void time passes. What are your obligations, and what regulatory section applies?

2. You are inbound on the ILS RWY 01 at KRMG. Another pilot announces on CTAF that he is departing Runway 01. What are your legal obligations and practical actions?

3. After a missed approach on the RNAV (GPS) RWY 19, you are climbing on the published missed approach course. Atlanta Center is not immediately answering your call. What actions do you take, and what altitude do you maintain?

4. You are planning to file KRMG as an alternate. The ILS RWY 01 is the only precision approach. What alternate minimums apply under standard criteria (14 CFR 91.169)? Would the presence of the ILS affect the alternate minimums calculation?

5. The DPE assigns the RNAV (GPS) RWY 07 approach. Runway 07 is 4,498 ft — your aircraft requires 3,200 ft to land in zero wind at gross weight. At MDA, you break out and see the runway. What visual references are required before you can descend below MDA under 14 CFR 91.175(c)?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What instrument approaches are published at KRMG?

KRMG publishes an ILS or LOC to Runway 01, RNAV (GPS) approaches to Runways 01, 07, 19, and 25. The ILS RWY 01 is the sole precision approach. No ILS or RNAV approach is published for Runway 07 or 25 with vertical guidance — verify current procedures on official FAA charts.

Q: Does KRMG have a control tower?

No. Richard B. Russell Regional Airport (KRMG) is a non-towered airport. There is no ATCT. Pilots use CTAF 122.725 MHz for position announcements. IFR clearances are obtained via radio or phone through Atlanta Center (ZTL), which provides approach and departure services on 124.5 MHz.

Q: How do IFR pilots obtain clearances at KRMG?

KRMG has no tower, so IFR clearances are obtained via radio to Atlanta Center on 124.5 MHz or by calling the AFSS before departure. Pilots must be aware that IFR clearances at non-towered airports may include a void time — if not airborne by the void time, the clearance expires and must be re-requested.

Q: What terrain challenges exist near KRMG?

KRMG sits at 644 ft MSL in the Ridge and Valley physiographic region of northwest Georgia. Lookout Mountain and Taylor Ridge lie to the northwest. Published MEAs and obstacle clearance altitudes on approaches are driven by terrain — pilots must respect published minimums and not descend below procedure altitudes.

Q: What is the longest runway at KRMG?

Runway 01/19 is 7,010 × 150 feet and holds the ILS or LOC RWY 01 approach, as well as RNAV (GPS) approaches to both ends. Runway 07/25 at 4,498 × 100 feet has RNAV (GPS) approaches but no ILS.

Q: What weather patterns affect IFR operations at KRMG?

KRMG is susceptible to ridge-trapped fog during temperature inversions, particularly in autumn and winter. Cold air drains into the valleys around Rome, GA, producing patchy low ceilings and restricted visibility that can last through midmorning. Afternoon convective activity is common May through September.

Q: What UNICOM and approach frequencies are used at KRMG?

KRMG UNICOM and CTAF is 122.725 MHz. Atlanta Center provides approach services on 124.5 MHz (primary) with a military backup on 270.325 MHz. There is no ATIS — pilots should contact Flight Service or Atlanta Center for weather and NOTAMs.

Sources

• FAA NFDC — KRMG Airport Data
• 14 CFR 91.169 — IFR Flight Plan: Alternate Airport Requirements (Cornell LII)
• 14 CFR 91.175 — Takeoff and Landing Under IFR (Cornell LII)
• FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook FAA-H-8083-16B
• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15B

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