Hanscom Field (KBED)
Bedford, United States · North America
By Renzo, CPL
ICAO
KBED
IATA
BED
City
Bedford
Country
United States
Region
North America
Elevation
133 ft
Runways
3 runways
Coordinates
42.4700, -71.2890
Overview
Major New England GA airport with corporate and training operations. Good for New England IFR practice.
Current Weather at KBED
Pilots flying into or out of Hanscom Field should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.
Live conditions
Current METAR
METAR KBED 210051Z 26008KT 10SM FEW110 23/11 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP137 T02330111Wind 260° at 8 kt — likely active runway near heading 26
Current TAF
TAF KBED 202320Z 2100/2124 28011G18KT P6SM SCT100 FM210200 29008KT P6SM BKN100 FM210500 33007KT P6SM BKN100 FM211100 35006KT P6SM BKN100 FM212000 06007KT P6SM BKN250Decode METAR for KBED
Paste the KBED METAR into our free decoder and get a plain-English breakdown instantly.
Check Weather Before Your Flight
A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at Hanscom Field. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:
- METARHourly surface observation for KBED. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
- TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
- NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for KBED. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
- PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Bedford. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
- SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Hanscom Field.
Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.
Pilot Resources at Hanscom Field
Radio Frequencies
Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like KBED include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.
Flight Schools Nearby
Browse flight schools near Bedford and compare training programs.
Private Pilot Guide
Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.
METAR Decoder
Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.
Sectional Chart Guide
Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around Bedford.
Training Availability
Flight Training Available
Hanscom Field has flight schools and training programs operating on the field or nearby. Browse flight schools
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