Vankirk Airport (44KS) Area Aviation Weather & Runway Winds
Aviation weather near Vankirk Airport in Derby, KS, decoded from the nearest reporting station (KIAB) — conditions, runway crosswinds, and free Telegram airport alerts.
Vankirk Airport (44KS) is a general aviation airport serving pilots in and around Derby, KS at 1,350 ft. 44KS has no weather station of its own — conditions here are decoded from KIAB, about 5 nm away, the nearest reporting station, and local conditions can differ. Its 6 runways (04, 08, 17, 22) — longest 2,455 ft — are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. The nearest TAF is issued for KIAB. Track it in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get alerts read from KIAB, the station this page is based on.
No weather station at this airport — showing the nearest station KIAB, 5.1 nm away.
Current pilot readout for 44KS
A current METAR is not available for 44KS right now. The nearest reporting station is KIAB. Check back shortly, review a nearby reporting station, and always confirm with an official briefing before flight.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →
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Track 44KS free on TelegramRunway wind check
Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.
Use this section to quickly compare current wind alignment across available runways at 44KS. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
Current wind is calm — calm wind is not a factor for runway selection, and with no wind there is no head/tail or crosswind component to compute. Live numbers return automatically once a report includes a wind direction.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 | 1,750 ft | TURF | — | — |
| 08 | 1,400 ft | TURF | — | — |
| 17 | 2,455 ft | TURF | — | — |
| 22 | 1,750 ft | TURF | — | — |
| 26 | 1,400 ft | TURF | — | — |
| 35 | 2,455 ft | TURF | — | — |
Open the crosswind calculator — try your own wind and runway numbers →
44KS weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast — drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around Vankirk Airport in Derby, KS: the NOAA/NWS NEXRAD composite updates about every five minutes, with NOAA lightning strike density overlaid. The loop plays the past 50 minutes, then continues into a future-radar forecast (+1 to +4 hours, NOAA HRRR model) so you can see where precipitation around 44KS is headed.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Forecast frames (amber label) are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Lightning strike density appears as a blue-white glow when strikes are detected in view. Radar and lightning coverage are limited in parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and offshore areas. Not for navigation.
Recent aviation weather trends at 44KS
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
History is still being collected — check back in a few days.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
- 04/08/17/22/26/35
- 100%
TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 0200Z (9:00 PM CDT)
TAF KIAB 290200Z 2902/3008 12010KT 9999 FEW120 BKN140 QNH2983INS BECMG 2914/2915 14012G18KT 9999 SCT090 BKN120 QNH2985INS BECMG 2920/2922 15012G18KT 8000 SHRA BKN120 QNH2984INS TEMPO 3004/3008 9999 VCTS SCT090 BKN100CB TX38/2920Z TN25/2911Z
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We'll message you on Telegram when a new report moves the picture near 44KS (Vankirk Airport) — alerts read from KIAB, the station this page uses.
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Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- General aviation airport
- FAA LID
- 44KS
- City
- Derby
- State
- Kansas
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 1,350 ft
- Coordinates
- 37.6103, -97.1625
- Runways
- 6
- Longest runway
- 2,455 ft
- Weather reporting
- Nearest station KIAB
- TAF
- Nearest KIAB
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Next sunset
- 21h 42m
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Nearby airports
Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.
Within 25 NM
9 airports+3 more within 25 NM
25–50 NM
7 airports+1 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
RC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport — live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- Derby Radio Control Club - Clarks Acres RC Field — Rose Hill, KS · 5 mi
- Wichihawks - Plainview Park — Wichita, KS · 7 mi
- SAM 56 Wichita Historical Aircraft - Indianola Rd — Augusta, KS · 9 mi
44KS weather — frequently asked
What runways are available at 44KS?+
44KS has 6 runways — 04, 08, 17, 22, 26, 35; the longest is 2,455 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Where does the weather shown for 44KS come from?+
Vankirk Airport does not have its own weather station. Conditions shown here come from the nearest reporting station, KIAB, about 5 nm away — close enough for situational awareness, but local conditions at 44KS can differ.
Does 44KS have a TAF?+
Yes — the KIAB TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does 44KS broadcast D-ATIS?+
No — 44KS does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for 44KS from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR (via the nearest reporting station) instead.
Pilot PIREPs for Vankirk Airport (44KS)
Community-submittedCommunity-submitted airport notes from pilots about runway conditions, wildlife, FBOs, fuel, turbulence, ramp access, and local tips.
Read recent community-submitted pilot notes for Vankirk Airport, including runway conditions, wildlife activity, FBO/fuel notes, turbulence, ramp access, and local airport tips.
⚠️ Pilot PIREPs on ATIS Alerts are community-submitted airport notes for situational awareness only. They are not official FAA PIREPs, NOTAMs, weather briefings, airport advisories, or flight-planning guidance. Always verify with official FAA/NWS sources, airport management, ATC, and current publications.
No Pilot PIREPs have been submitted for 44KS yet. Recently flew here? Help the next pilot by leaving a quick airport note.
Pilot PIREPs are community pilot notes for situational awareness only — not official FAA PIREPs or advisories. Verify with official sources. Notes are moderated before they appear; helpful marks and reports help us keep them useful.
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⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
METAR source temporarily unavailable.
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