Rafiqui Air Base

OPRQ

Shorkot, PK

Last Updated
May 14, 18:30Z

No METAR Available for OPRQ

Showing weather from nearby airport with METAR data.

Currently using: OPFA
Weather Source: Faisalabad International Airport (OPFA)
Distance: 52nm / 96km from OPRQ

Military Airport

Restricted

This is a military aerodrome. Civil aircraft access may be restricted or require prior authorization. Consult the applicable AIP for current access procedures.

Consult the applicable national AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 5 min ago
18:30Z

☀️ Day
IFR
Flight Rules
25°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 18°C
2 kt
360°
4 km
Visibility
10,000 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1003 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR OPFA 141830Z 36002KT 4000 FU SCT040 BKN100 25/18 Q1003 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 492 ft
SCT 4,000 ft AGL
BKN 10,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
4,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,492 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
10,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
10,492 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

Rafiqui Air Base is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with broken clouds at 10,000 feet and 4 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the north (360°) at 2 knots.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is reduced to 4 km. IFR conditions prevail and an instrument clearance is required for operations in controlled airspace. The ceiling is 10000 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 25°C (77°F) with a dewpoint of 18°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. IFR conditions are expected to persist or develop. An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are recommended. Expected weather includes: Smoke, Thunderstorm Rain. There is a 30% probability of LIFR conditions with Thunderstorm Rain between 19:00Z and 00:00Z. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain.

Pilot Recommendations

An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are required. Verify that destination and alternate approach minimums are above current and forecast conditions. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1003 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
987 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (492 ft)
Pressure Alt
800 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,118 ft
ISA Deviation: +11.0°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF OPFA 141700Z 1418/1524 05010KT 4000 FU FEW040 SCT100 TX38/1510Z TN21/1500Z PROB30 TEMPO 1419/1424 36015G25KT 1500 TSRA FEW03 0CB SCT040 BKN100 FM150000 31006KT 4000 FU SCT100 TEMPO 1412/141 7 31015G30KT 2000 TSRA FEW030CB SCT040 BKN100
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
18:34Z BASE
+0h
IFR 50° 10 kt
Visibility: 4 km
Smoke
19:00Z PROB30 TEMPO
+1h
LIFR 360° 15 kt
Visibility: 1.5 km
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Thunderstorm Rain
00:00Z FM150000
+6h
IFR 310° 6 kt
Visibility: 4 km
Smoke
18:34Z TEMPO
+0h
IFR 310° 15 kt
Visibility: 2 km
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Thunderstorm Rain

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • 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
PRQ
15
33 ✈️
15R
33L ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 15/33
Active: 33
10,000 ft 160 ft ASPHALT 150°
1.7 kt 1.0 kt
30° angle
✈️ 15R/33L
Active: 33L
9,621 ft 100 ft ASPHALT 150°
1.7 kt 1.0 kt
30° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Rafiqui Air Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: OPRQ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 492 ft MSL

Location

City: Shorkot
Country: PK
Latitude: 30.758101°
Longitude: 72.282501°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-5

Runway Information

Runway 15/33
Length: 10,000 ft
Width: 160 ft
Surface: ASPHALT
ILS: No
Runway 15R/33L
Length: 9,621 ft
Width: 100 ft
Surface: ASPHALT
ILS: No

About Rafiqui Air Base

Rafiqui Air Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the PK AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Rafiqui Air Base is a medium airport located in Shorkot, Pakistan, situated at coordinates 30.758101, 72.282501 and an elevation of 492 feet above mean sea level. As a military airbase, it serves strategic aviation operations in the region with substantial runway infrastructure supporting large aircraft movements.

Flying Conditions

The airport's elevation at 492 ft MSL indicates a relatively low-altitude environment with moderate terrain characteristics. Located in central Pakistan, the airport likely experiences significant seasonal temperature variations that could impact aircraft performance, particularly during summer months when density altitude may become a critical consideration for pilots.

Notable Features

Rafiqui Air Base features two significant asphalt runways: the primary 15/33 runway spanning 10,000 feet and a secondary 15R/33L runway measuring 9,621 feet. These extensive runway lengths accommodate a wide range of aircraft types and provide operational flexibility for different mission profiles and aircraft weight classifications.

Approach Considerations

The dual parallel runways (15/33 and 15R/33L) suggest the airport is designed to handle complex aircraft traffic and provide redundant approach options. Pilots should anticipate potential wind variations given the runway orientation and prepare for potential crosswind landing techniques when approaching from different compass headings.

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.