▸ KRFD · CHICAGO/ROCKFORD INTERNATIONAL · ROCKFORD, IL ◂
📡 Source: LiveATC.net — KRFD DEL/GND/TWR/APP
🎧 Covers: Clearance Delivery · Ground · Tower · Approach
⚠ Audio may have 30–90 second LiveATC delay. Refresh if silent.
| Frequency | Description | Mode | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 118.100 | Tower (was 118.300) | AM | Aircraft |
| 121.900 | Ground Control | AM | Aircraft |
| 119.250 | Clearance Delivery | AM | Aircraft |
| 127.600 | ATIS (was 126.7) | AM | Aircraft |
| 121.000 | Approach/Departure East | AM | Aircraft |
| 126.000 | Approach/Departure West | AM | Aircraft |
| 327.000 | Approach/Departure (Mil) | AM | Military |
| 239.000 | Tower/Ground (Military) | AM | Military |
| 119.675 | AWOS | AM | Aircraft |
| 124.900 | Alternate | AM | Aircraft |
| 122.950 | UNICOM | AM | Aircraft |
| 132.000 | Emery FBO | AM | Aircraft |
| 130.525 | North American Aviation / Pride FBO | AM | Aircraft |
| 122.800 | 1C8 Cottonwood Airport UNICOM | AM | Aircraft |
| Frequency | Description | Tone | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 155.490 | RFD Airport Police | 162.2 PL | Law Dispatch |
| 155.805 | RFD Airport Fire | 162.2 PL | Fire Dispatch |
| 155.760 | RFD Maintenance | 162.2 PL | Public Works |
| 152.435 | CPIS Security | — | Security |
| 154.47875 | RFD Runway Data Sensors | — | Telemetry |
| 462.000 | Emery Air (DMR CC6 TG1 SL1) | DMR | Business |
The #1 recommended spot by local aviation clubs. A gravel lot directly beneath the approach end of Runway 25 (west end of the main 10,002 ft runway). Aircraft descend right over you. Outstanding low-altitude shots of all arrivals from the west.
RWY 25 FINAL · 500–800 ft AGLEast end of the main runway (RWY 07). Watch eastbound departures rotate and climb directly over Falcon Rd. Best for photos of UPS 767s and Amazon cargo jets at rotation. Park carefully on wide shoulder east of the threshold.
RWY 07 DEPARTURE · Climb-outSouth side of the airport along Cessna Drive adjacent to the AAR Corp wide-body MRO facility. Watch international wide-body aircraft (747s, 777s, A330s) in for maintenance. Also overlooks the south apron and Runway 19 threshold.
RWY 19 THRESHOLD · Wide-body MROThe area along Airport Drive near the terminal fence line offers views of the passenger terminal gates, Allegiant Air jets, and the taxiway leading to Runway 01. Free 2-hour parking in the front lots makes this family-friendly. Best for close terminal shots.
Terminal Gates · Allegiant AirNorth of the airport on Perryville Road, aircraft on the ILS approach to Runway 01 fly low overhead. Elevation advantage from the roadway provides unobstructed sky shots. Great for night photography of approach lights during IFR conditions. Pull off safely.
RWY 01 ILS FINAL · Low approachNorth–south corridor east of the airport offers views of RWY 07 departures banking northward after rotation. The McDonald's on 11th St & Samuelson provides restroom access and food — the closest amenity to the airport. Pull-off areas along 11th St.
RWY 07 Climbout BankNorthwest of the field, along the approach corridor for Runway 25. Heavy cargo jets descend through this area at 1,000–1,500 ft AGL. Good sightlines and a Subway nearby for extended spotting sessions. Works especially well in westerly wind conditions.
RWY 25 Long Final · CargoEast side of the airport near the massive UPS and Amazon Air cargo ramp areas. Watch sortie after sortie of 767 freighters, MD-11s, and Amazon 737s during peak nighttime operations (typically 10 PM–3 AM). The second-largest UPS hub in North America is here.
Cargo Ramp · UPS 767 · Amazon 737South of the airport on Kishwaukee Street, departures on Runway 19 climb out directly to the south. Great elevation and open farmland views. Perfect for departure sequences. Walk-able from nearby residential streets. Minimal traffic.
RWY 19 Climbout · South DepartureFrom the Rock River area near Loves Park, arriving traffic from the northeast sets up for long visual approaches to RWY 01 or RWY 07. Great for telephoto shots of aircraft on 10–15 mile final. Use Guilford Rd or Windsor Rd areas for pull-offs. Also good for MIL traffic.
RWY 01/07 Long Approach · NE Sector| Date | Aircraft | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2026 | Wittman Tailwind | Springmeadow Dr, Poplar Grove (Boone Co.) | 1 aboard · Injuries unclear · Hit fence, gas line |
| Jun 28, 2025 | Vans RV-10 | Capron Rd & Blaine Rd, Capron (Boone Co.) | 2 Killed · NTSB Investigating |
| Aug 20, 2020 | Beechcraft B200 King Air N198DM | KRFD Runway 01 east side (Winnebago Co.) | 1 Fatal · Pilot Ron McAlister (67) · Aircraft destroyed by fire on post-takeoff crash |
| Dec 4, 2017 | Beechcraft C90 King Air N500KR | KRFD — before RWY 25 threshold, Falcon Rd | 4 aboard · 2 serious injuries · Fuel transfer pump failure · Dr. Edward Noakes III pilot |
The NTSB maintains a complete searchable database of all civil aviation accidents in the U.S. since 1962. Search specifically for Winnebago County or Boone County, Illinois incidents.
Data compiled from NTSB Aviation Accident Database, news reports, FAA records, and Aviation Safety Network. Includes KRFD, Poplar Grove Airport (C77), and general aviation accidents within Winnebago and Boone County airspace. This is a reference list — always verify with official NTSB reports.