Does anyone have any news as to what's going on currently, if anything, with Chukar Flat? If no "news", then what to y'all think of whether it's use should/could cause any issues?

Drifter, you're asking what are the potential threats to Chukar's status as an open airstrip?

AFAIK it's on private land, owned by an adjacent farmer. From what I have heard he seems to be cool with its use. The potential threat would be any hint of liability talk whispered his direction. A number of people have bent metal there from what I've heard 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hand.

So from what I gather....it's the same as it's been for years. It's there, and it is being used on an occasional basis. That's all I'm really after. Thanks

The airport info on Shortfield says call for permission. I did and was told that the land owner doesn't care if you use it. I think the requirement to call is the liability "out" for him.

Watch out for deer that camp out in the bushes on the north end. A little bumpy on the south end if you land prior to the wind sock tree.

If you camp you may get a visit from the local cattle herd. Fishing is OK but it will be bass for dinner.

Private property....as always, be respectful.

The majority of Chuckar Flat airstrip is on private land. The upstream portion (150 feet or so) is on BLM land. Several years ago the BLM was pretty aggressive about keeping aircraft out of there. Five or six years ago some idiot BLM land manager chopped up the upstream end of the runway without considering the safety ramifications of doing so. It is still pretty bumpy up there.

The rancher who owns the land of the downstream portion is an excellent gentleman and is generous enough to share this awesome spot with the pilot community. While he is the man, we can expect for this this privilege to be available, and it should be treated with the utmost respect in hopes that his family will continue to allow access once he is not the decision maker.

There is a lot of boat traffic on the river from March until about mid June, depending on the flows. This is when the BLM has their strongest presence in this area. My hopes are that we use it with a low profile and keep our planes off of the BLM portion of the strip if possible during this period in an effort to stay off of their radar. This limits the strip length to about 700 feet in length. If winds are favoring a downstream takeoff, which they often are, that is the only time that using the BLM portion is really necessary for most STOL planes. It's not a great environment for non-STOL aircraft.

Great looking scenerie! I give it a 10+.

Alex wrote:I went into Chukar Flat yesterday. I have only been a couple of times but I would say the condition of the strip hasn't changed much over the past few years.

South (upstream) of the lone juniper tree seems unusably rough. I used a bit of it for the beginning of my takeoff roll but I would't want to roll on any of it at speed.

Nice shots Alex. We can expect for it to see a lot more use if you keep posting images like those.

Scolopax wrote:

Alex wrote:I went into Chukar Flat yesterday. I have only been a couple of times but I would say the condition of the strip hasn't changed much over the past few years.

South (upstream) of the lone juniper tree seems unusably rough. I used a bit of it for the beginning of my takeoff roll but I would't want to roll on any of it at speed.

Nice shots Alex. We can expect for it to see a lot more use if you keep posting images like those.

I don't think we need to worry until Alex uses higher resolution versions.

It should be said though that more traffic alone (to a certain extent) does not endanger an airstrip. It's the related mess from either bending metal there (leaving a visible wrecked aircraft to be seen), or somehow giving the landowner or rafters/paddlers the impression that we are not responsible users.

I disagree. The noise alone from an airplane taking off might be objectionable to rafters who are trying to "get away from it all". I'm sure not saying they're right, but even the presence of an airplane parked on the strip as they float by might be enough to "ruin the experience". Of course, the reverse is true- the presence of rafters floating through our pristine scenic vista, or hooting and hollering on the way by, might be objectionable to us. We are legitimate users of public wilderness, just like the rafters....but guess who the powers-that-be would tend to pay more attention to?

hotrod180 wrote: We are legitimate users of public wilderness, just like the rafters....but guess who the powers-that-be would tend to pay more attention to?

Guess who there are a 1000x more of?