anyone been to El mirage lately?
would really appreciate a pirep.
Might go out there for the first time
Tomorrow, and would love to know what
To expect.

Did you ever go?

I haven't been on this forum for some time, but I go there regularly. It's actually the first dry lake I ever landed on. I love it. Great for practicing things you can't do anywhere else. The surface is excellent but you need to inspect for cracks and wet patches.

I would be interested on a weekend day out there soon. When the smoke clears and the heat dies down

Surprised Fiddler didn't beat me to it.

The best and safest area, IMHO is the northernmost, though the satellite view may not suggest that.
You'll likely find it smoother than your local paved field. Less offroad traffic, though there is some.
There are wind socks at the properties just outside the (north) western shoreline and at the landsailing cove along the south shore.
Of course, any offroad vehicles' dust does that job well.

Down the race course, along the lakebed's length, is maintained by the land speed community, but they (we) have been fighting with some erosion ditches that have formed out of the north. I'm not certain their current state of repair. One can see these with a simple flyover though. I may just land parallel and a little south of the course.
Beware of rougher conditions and crossing power lines on the (south) east end.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JWuTS7uN2g2HoHiP8

-Glen N168C

The El Mirage lake bed is always in good condition until it rains.

Our group uses it monthly to practice engine off accuracy landings and turn back tests.

I recently had my engine suck a valve at 1500 AGL and fragment the innards while flying into KAJO. Didn't panic since I have done engine off landings many times.

No damage to the Avid MK4. Folded the wings and trailered it back to Corona Airport.

FAA was on the phone to me as I was retrieving it. Came and looked at all my paperwork.

They classify in three steps beginning with the worst damage to people, aircraft, property which is an :Accident." Then there is "Incident' and finally "Occurrence" which mine was down graded to.

The engine locked up AT 2000 rpm which actually bent the motor mount, just like a prop strike.

I sent the engine back to the dealer and am waiting to see if they will send me a new engine and mount gratis. This I fully expect, but we'll see.

I can't emphasis enough the value of practicing with the engine off because there is a BIG difference in your glide with the engine off as opposed to idling.

There is a good article in this last AOPA pilot on whether or not to try the turn back after failure.

Take care and stay healthy.

John M

The El Mirage lake bed is always in good condition until it rains.

Our group uses it monthly to practice engine off accuracy landings and turn back tests.

Mind if I tag along one weekend ? Im at SEE in a pacer

I was out there about 2 weeks ago. Good as ever. Have fun and don't run over a dirt biker. jet966's comments are spot on.

Ill be out there around 530 tonight if anyone wants to join. Kind of last minute but figured id say something anyway.

For this strip does everyone use 122.9? Or is there an assigned frequency.
Nik