What does runway direction mean?
Runway direction describes which runway direction an airport is likely to use. At Isbell Field, this means aircraft land from a certain compass direction and take off towards the matching runway direction.
The forecast for Isbell Field in Fort Payne shows the likely direction aircraft land from and take off towards. Actual runway use can differ because of air traffic control, traffic, weather and local procedures.
Landings probably arrive from
← southwest
Departures probably head to
→ northeast
Current weather
31°C
Leichter Regen
Updated: 19.09.2026 22:53 · Fallback cache
Wind 9 km/h
Gusts 21 km/h
Clouds 34%
Rain 0.4 mm / 3 h
Forecast confidence: high
Runway & wind
04/22 → 04
40° heading
Headwind
9 km/h
Crosswind
4 km/h
Length
1.524 m
Width
30 m
Surface
ASP
Lighting
yes
Airport data
K4A9
Small airport
City
Fort Payne
Country
United States
Codes
K4A9
Runways
1 runway
Elevation
267 m
Scheduled service
no
Lighted runway
yes
Region
US-AL
Landing
Takeoff
Wind
Airport
The map shows a simplified view of where aircraft are likely to land from and where they take off towards. Actual use can differ.
Runway direction at Isbell Field
What the forecast means and how it is calculated.
How is the forecast calculated?
The calculation compares current wind direction with known runway headings. The runway with as much headwind and as little crosswind as possible is preferred.
Airport facts
Isbell Field is located near Fort Payne in United States. The airport has 1 runway, the longest is about 1.524 m. Field elevation is about 267 m.
Important to know
The actual decision is made by air traffic control. Closed runways, traffic, storm cells, noise abatement procedures or operational rules can make real runway use differ from the forecast.
Forecast timeline
stays similar
direction changes
medium confidence
uncertain
Show details
Frequently asked questions about Isbell Field
Short answers about runway direction and how to interpret the forecast.
From which direction do aircraft land today at Isbell Field?
The current card shows the most likely landing direction based on wind and runway heading. With weak or variable wind, confidence can be lower.
In which direction do aircraft take off today at Isbell Field?
The forecast shows the likely departure direction. It is based on the runway direction that offers the best headwind component under current wind conditions.
Why can the real runway direction differ?
Air traffic control can decide differently for operational reasons, including traffic, weather cells, runway closures, noise abatement procedures or local arrival and departure routes.
Is this an official airport source?
No. The forecast is a calculated estimate and does not replace official information from the airport, air traffic control or airlines.