Albert J Ellis Airport

KOAJ / OAJ

Richlands, US

Last Updated
Jul 4, 21:56Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 32 min ago
21:56Z

🌙 Night
VFR
Flight Rules
33°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 23°C
9 kt
170°
10 SM
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1015 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KOAJ 042156Z 17009KT 10SM CLR 33/23 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP149 T03330228 $

Weather Briefing

VFR

Albert J Ellis Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with clear skies and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (170°) at 9 knots. Runway 23 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 8-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. Skies are clear with unlimited ceiling.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 33°C (91°F) with a dewpoint of 23°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Shallow Fog, Mist. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Mist between 10:00Z and 12:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. 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
1015 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1012 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (94 ft)
Pressure Alt
42 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 2,225 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +18.2°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KOAJ 041742Z 0418/0518 17008KT P6SM FEW060 FEW250 FM042100 16010G15KT P6SM FEW060 FM050000 19004KT P6SM FEW250 FM050600 19004KT P6SM SCT007 FM050900 VRB02KT 6SM MIFG FEW004 SCT007 TEMPO 0510/0512 3SM BR SCT004 BKN007 FM051300 22006KT P6SM SCT015 AMD LTD TO CLD VIS AND WIND
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
22:27Z BASE
+0h
VFR 170° 8 kt
Visibility: >6SM
00:00Z FM050000
+2h
VFR 190° 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
06:00Z FM050600
+8h
VFR 190° 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
09:00Z FM050900
+11h
VFR VRB 2 kt
Visibility: 6SM
Shallow Fog

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
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
Chart Features
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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
OAJ
05
23 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 23
7,100 ft 150 ft ASP 44°
4.5 kt 7.8 kt
60° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KOAJ

8,886 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
72.6%
MVFR
11.4%
IFR
7.2%
LIFR
8.8%

Albert J Ellis Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 72.6% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 16% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 7 knots. Calm conditions occur 26.3% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -13°C to 37°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are July, April, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 27 kt
Calm Winds: 26.3%
Direction Distribution:
E
3%
N
13.2%
S
17.1%
W
5.5%
NE
12.9%
NW
2.5%
SE
2.3%
SW
17.3%

Temperature Range

Average: 14.8°C
Range: -13°C to 37°C
-13°C 37°C

Visibility

Average: 9.2 SM
Below 3 SM: 3.3%
Fog Frequency: 5.2%

Best Months for VFR

July April November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3.3 kt

Statistics computed from 8,886 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Albert J Ellis Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KOAJ
IATA Code: OAJ
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 94 ft MSL

Location

City: Richlands
Country: US
Latitude: 34.829201°
Longitude: -77.612099°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+5

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 7,100 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Albert J Ellis Airport

Overview

Albert J Ellis Airport serves Richlands, North Carolina, as a medium-sized airport positioned in the southeastern United States. Located at coordinates 34.829201, -77.612099 and elevated at 94 feet mean sea level, the airport provides critical aviation infrastructure for the regional transportation network.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions, with 72.3% of observations reporting favorable visual flight rules. Temperature ranges from -8°C to 34°C, creating relatively stable flying conditions throughout the year. Wind patterns are predominantly from the north at an average of 6.9 knots, with calm conditions occurring 28.1% of the time.

Notable Features

The single runway 05/23 is 7,100 feet long with an asphalt surface, offering substantial operational flexibility for various aircraft types. Wind data indicates 100% favorable wind alignment for this runway, with an average crosswind of only 3.1 knots, which supports consistent and predictable flight operations.

Approach Considerations

November, January, and October represent the best VFR months for airport operations, with historically optimal weather conditions. Pilots should anticipate potential reduced visibility during 4.2% of observations involving fog, and be prepared for occasional instrument meteorological conditions that occur in approximately 17.8% of METAR reports.

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.