I am going to try to meet up with a cousin who just moved to Chico on my home Saturday evening from Corning. Where would be the best place on the airfield to have them meet me where I can just park and go through a gate somewhere? I've never been there before and I'm not familiar with the field at all. I figure we have to have some folks who have been in and out there before. Any info would be great.

Howdy. I'm based in Susanville (KSVE) but visit Chico in the 170 fairly often. I meet my buddy on the east side of the airport, right in front of the large hangar with the fuel sign... name of the business escapes me, but you can't miss it. There's a gate by the parking lot, but your friend will have to enter through the office of the flight school/FBO.
Gate has a combo for your re-entry later.
The two parallel runways handle the valley winds just great, and the tower guys are always helpful, too.
Have a good flight.'

RANCHAERO is a really nice friendly airport, much closer to the old town.
Private, call ahead first time, buy fuel

Not easy to find driving the first time out, but is an easy drive, and you park right at the tie downs.
Just 1 mile off Hwy 32 on Oak Park Ave.

Noise is the issue, be gentle, lots of Mac-mansions to the north. Traffic Pattern on the west

-Bill

Thanks! Looks like it's Northgate Aviation maybe?

c180bill wrote:RANCHAERO is a really nice friendly airport, much closer to the old town.
Private, call ahead first time, buy fuel

Not easy to find driving the first time out, but is an easy drive, and you park right at the tie downs.
Just 1 mile off Hwy 32 on Oak Park Ave.

Noise is the issue, be gentle, lots of Mac-mansions to the north. Traffic Pattern on the west

-Bill

Forgot all about that one. My cousin is only 5 miles from there so that will work out perfect. I already called and got permission. Does anyone know if RanchAero is considered a Satellite of Chico? It looks like it's right on the edge of the Class Delta.

I don't know. Never talked to Chico Muni when going into RanchAero. (did not go into their area.)
The Class D is "notched" out around RanchAero.

I do monitor Muni's frequency, as the fire bombers might be up, and some times they are in a hurry.
The Navy was based at Chico in the 60's, and they dragged around there a lot.

FWIW:
In the area, take a look at the old Vina Axillary Field (Deer Creek?) off the north end of Chico: ~3000 foot square of asphalt in apparently good condition. I landed there in the 60's. Two nice hangers and a nice strip. I have not talked to the owners. Those things used to be all over the west. Haigh Field was one, but most of the paving is covered or gone.

--Bill

Joey,
Go to Ranchaero. Very cool field, you will like it. There's a great BBQ place in town just on the other side of the college. Make your friend take you there.