Esler Army Airfield / Esler Regional Airport

KESF / ESF

Alexandria, US

Last Updated
Mar 4, 19:53Z

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a U.S. military installation. Civil aircraft operations are generally prohibited without prior authorization.

Access Notes:

Most military airfields closed to civil traffic; some joint-use exceptions exist

Consult official AIP (FAA AIP GEN 3.3) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Aging 1 hour ago
19:53Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
31°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 16°C
10 kt
220° G20 kt
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1018 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KESF 041953Z AUTO 22010G20KT 10SM 31/16 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP176 T03060161
QNH
1018 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1014 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (112 ft)
Pressure Alt
-31 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,916 ft
ISA Deviation: +16.2°C

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
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  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
ESF
08
26 ✈️
14
32

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 08/26
Active: 26
5,999 ft 150 ft ASP 90°
7.7 kt 6.4 kt
40° angle
14/32 5,601 ft 150 ft ASP 145°
2.6 kt 9.7 kt
75° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KESF

5,466 observations | Sep 2025 - Mar 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
68.7%
MVFR
18.6%
IFR
9.3%
LIFR
3.4%

Esler Army Airfield / Esler Regional Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 68.7% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.7% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 5.8 knots. Calm conditions occur 55.4% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -8°C to 36°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are September, March, October.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 5.8 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 55.4%
Direction Distribution:
N
6.8%
NE
3.2%
E
2.7%
SE
4.4%
S
12.4%
SW
8.6%
W
4.3%
NW
2.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 14.7°C
Range: -8°C to 36°C
-8°C 36°C

Visibility

Average: 9 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.6%
Fog Frequency: 7.4%

Best Months for VFR

September March October

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 08/26
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.2 kt
Runway 14/32
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4 kt

Statistics computed from 5,466 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Mar 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Esler Army Airfield / Esler Regional Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KESF
IATA Code: ESF
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 112 ft MSL

Location

City: Alexandria
Country: US
Latitude: 31.394266°
Longitude: -92.294082°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+6

Runway Information

Runway 08/26
Length: 5,999 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No
Runway 14/32
Length: 5,601 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Esler Army Airfield / Esler Regional Airport

Esler Army Airfield / Esler Regional Airport is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the US AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Esler Army Airfield / Esler Regional Airport serves the Alexandria area in Louisiana, functioning as a medium-sized airport located at 31.394266, -92.294082. The airport features two asphalt runways: 08/26 at 5,999 feet and 14/32 at 5,601 feet, providing substantial operational flexibility for various aircraft types. Situated at 112 feet above mean sea level, the airport offers strategic aviation infrastructure for the region.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Esler are predominantly favorable, with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions present 68.8% of the time. Pilots can expect significant variability, with temperatures ranging from -5°C to 36°C and average visibility around 8.9 statute miles. Seasonal peak VFR conditions occur during September, October, and November, offering optimal flying opportunities with minimal meteorological restrictions.

Notable Features

The airport's wind patterns demonstrate a southern prevailing wind at 180 degrees, with an average speed of 5.5 knots and occasional gusts up to 18 knots. Calm conditions are frequent, occurring 58.5% of the time. Both runways demonstrate excellent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind coverage and minimal average crosswind components around 3.9 and 3.8 knots respectively.

Approach Considerations

Both runways offer consistent wind alignment, minimizing crosswind challenges for pilots. Marginal Visual Flight Rules (MVFR) conditions occur 17.3% of the time, with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Low Instrument Flight Rules (LIFR) less frequently encountered. Pilots should anticipate potential reduced visibility scenarios, with fog present 8.2% of the time and visibility dropping below 3 statute miles in 3.6% of observations.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.