Ruckel Airport, Niceville, FL, USA

Ruckel Airport (FL17), located in Niceville, is a private limited use grass airstrip. Facilities are limited and operations are restricted.

Current Weather

This weather station is still under development and should be considered experimental.

  Thu, 12 February 2026 07:28:26 PM

METAR Ruckel Airport

Other Local Weather

METAR KDTS 130053Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 17/15 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP192 T01670150
METAR KVPS 130055Z 27003KT 10SM CLR 17/14 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP196 T01650143 $
METAR KEGI 130055Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 16/12 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP190 T01590119 $
METAR KCEW 130053Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/09 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP199 T01280094
METAR KPNS 130053Z 25004KT 10SM CLR 16/14 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP195 T01560139
METAR KECP 130053Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 16/14 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP201 T01610139
TAF KVPS 121800Z 1218/1324 04006KT 9999 BKN034 OVC049 QNH3009INS TX22/1218Z TN10/1313Z

Flight Operations at Ruckel

Ruckel Properties publishes a guide to flight operations at Ruckel. Ruckel's guide is the definitive place for all information. Here is a summary of the highlights.

Radio

122.90 - Unicom-like communications in the pattern
125.10 - Eglin Approach North, call after take-off for further clearance to the north. 124.05 can also be used but is more appropriate for arrivals from the north.
132.10 - Eglin Approach South, call after take-off for further clearance to the south
134.625 - Eglin ATIS, you may or may not be able to receive this

Pattern

Normally take-offs to the north and landings to the south are preferred due to noise abatement. The landing pattern be on the east side of the runway. Traffic patterns will be within one nautical mile of the airport. Traffic pattern altitude is officially “at or below 800′ MSL” but by common consent among the pilots it is normally at 700′ MSL.

Transient Pilots

Transient pilots should contact Ruckel Properties in advance at 850-678-2223 or businessoffice@ruckelproperties.com and be approved before landing.

Flight Instruction and Other Services at Ruckel

There are no touch and go's at FL17 but that doesn't mean there is no flight instruction. See the Flight Instruction and Services page for more details.

$100 Hamburger

Here are some fun places to fly to get that $100 Hamburger.

Aircraft Services

Need some work done on your airplane? Here are some places to get aircraft service.

Email List

Looking for a safely pilot for flying some approaches?
See something dangerous on the runway, like a mower or a feral hog?
Need some help with your airplane?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a way to reach out and stay informed?

The Ruckel FL17 Mailing List Info page has information on how to subscribe and how to use the mailing list. Or use this link to go directly to subscribe page. There is no advertising, no spam, no outside intruders. You can subscribe or unsubscribe any time you like. Once you have subscribed, send mail to fl17-all (at) flyfl17.org to send mail to the entire mailing list.