Airport information
- FAA LID
- IS78
- Coordinates
- 42.3661, -89.2351
- Elevation
- 794 ft MSL
- Magnetic variation
- 1W
- Sectional chart
- CHICAGO
- Airport use
- Private
- Control tower
- No
- ARTCC
- CHICAGO (ZAU)
- Flight service (FSS)
- KANKAKEE
- Attendance
- UNATNDD
- Segmented circle
- No
- Wind indicator
- yes
- Activated
- 1999/05
- Distance from city
- 7 NE
Weather
METAR observed
Loading current weather…
TAF forecast
Loading forecast…
Sun & FAA night 2026-06-21
| Event | Local (CDT) | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| Morning civil twilight Loggable night ends | 04:45 AM | 09:45Z |
| Sunrise | 05:20 AM | 10:20Z |
| Sunset | 08:37 PM | 01:37Z |
| Evening civil twilight Loggable night begins | 09:12 PM | 02:12Z |
Plan a flight from IS78
Traffic pattern
- Landing
- Rwy 15
- Pattern
- left (turns left)
- TPA
- 1,800 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL)
Enter the left downwind for Rwy 15 at 1,800 ft MSL (≈1,000 AGL) on a 45°. TPA estimated at 1,000 ft AGL (not charted for this field).
Runway 15/33
2,400 ft × 70 ft · Turf- Heading
- n/a
- Traffic pattern
- Left
- Heading
- n/a
- Traffic pattern
- Left
- Approach obstacle
- Tree, 60 ft, 875 ft from threshold
| Runway | Length | Your margin |
|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 2,400 ft |
Nearby navigation aids
| NavAid | Type | Freq | Radial / Dist magnetic |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFD · Rockford | VOR-DME | 110.80 | r348° / 8.6 NM |
| JVL · Janesville | VOR-DME | 114.30 | r204° / 12.9 NM |
| PLL · Polo | VOR-DME | 111.20 | r025° / 27.3 NM |
VFR sectional
No published instrument procedures or Chart Supplement for IS78. VFR sectional link above.
Ownership & management
Remarks FAA
- FOR CD CTC CHICAGO ARTCC AT 630-906-8921.
Nearby airports
Weather is live from the Aviation Weather Center; airport facility data is from the FAA NASR (28-day cycle). For planning and education only; always verify against official sources. Open IS78 in a full tool: METAR/TAF decoder, crosswind calculator, sun & night times, or the density altitude calculator. Planning from here? Find the nearest airport with fuel or an approach, or check whether an IFR alternate is required.
About IS78
Early-Merkel Field (IS78) is an airport in Pecatonica, IL, at 794 ft MSL. It has 1 runway, the longest 2,400 ft, with no control tower (pilot-controlled). This page shows live METAR/TAF weather, runway crosswinds, frequencies, navaids, and FAA charts for IS78, refreshed from the Aviation Weather Center and FAA NASR.
Does IS78 have a control tower?
No. Early-Merkel Field is a non-towered (pilot-controlled) airport; use the published CTAF/UNICOM on the Comms & NavAids tab.
What is the longest runway at IS78?
Early-Merkel Field has 1 runway; the longest is 2,400 ft. See the Runways tab for headings, surface, and lighting.
Where is IS78?
Early-Merkel Field is in Pecatonica, IL, at an elevation of 794 ft MSL. Coordinates: 42.3661, -89.2351.
Fly out of IS78 often?
Save IS78 as your home base in the SkyReady app for a one-tap Go/No-Go readiness brief, weather alerts, and automatic FAA currency — free to log.