My company has a place in Lake Arrowhead, CA - a resort area outside of Los Angeles, not from from Big Bear Lake. I had recently learned that there is an "airport" there. We were planning a trip to the house after some work LA , and since I wanted to go see my new nephew, I thought I would just fly my plane.

Took off Tuesday from N. CA, stopping on the way to LA to hang out newly arrived Davis Ray Welch.

Took off early Wed. to head to Torrance KTOA, worked until Friday noon, then blasted east towards Lake Arrowhead.

I had been in contact with the owner, Mark Bayley, prior as its private - but he has lots of plans to grow the place. Really nice guy, very helpful. $20 to land, but no charge to tie down the plane and camp if you wanted. For $20, he'll take you into town, or also help you arrange a rental car.

Flying in, it's a big runway - 3700ft. Hard packed DG. They get everything from cubs to Kingairs.

What a surprising, cool place. Beautiful setting - kind of half high country sierra, and half high-desert.

Mark was waiting for me. Helped me unload and loaded all my gear in his truck for shuttling me over to our place in Arrowhead - only about a 10-15min trip.

But before that he gave me a grand tour - man he's got a vision for this place. It was originally owned by Allen Paulson, Gulfstream founder. It has been home to quite a few movie sets, and was occupied by Stearmans and helicopters the previous weekend for Celine Dions lates video.

His plans include hangars, and even a vineyard and restaurant. He drove me all over explaining the plan and it sounds incredible.

But for now, its a big dirt runway with a cool ranch house (where Mark Lives), barn, fruit trees, and some OLD hangars and wood buildings. You feel kind of like you are at a wild west airport. It would be a great place for a fly in and camp. Especially having a cocktail/beer up on the vista overlooking the runway where the restaurant will go.

Oh, and you can hike to some great hot springs too I understand.

A great way to work some aviation into a weekend getaway in Lake Arrowhead. Mark was just super cool and hospitable. In a way, its a shame the place will become more sophisticated, but his plans do sound awesome.

Some pics below. He also has a website http://www.lakearrowheadairport.com/

Album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/emmetw/WoodlakeTOALakeArrowheadFlight?feat=directlink

That's great Emflys!

I spoke to Mark a couple times on the phone about possible flying into his strip. Super great guy to talk to. Now I really feel I should have made a point to drop in and say hi in person. I flew over the field a few different times. Looks like a great place! Next time I'm down in the SoCal area with my 182, I'll for sure make a point to drop into Lake Arrowhead Airport.

Here's a couple of my pics.

Sad News! As of yesterday their website says:

http://www.lakearrowheadairport.com/

We are sorry to inform you Lake Arrowhead Airport is CLOSED until further notice.

Due to the extreme malicious and rogue actions of one individual Mr. Vic Domines, the future of the first airport to be permitted in over 40 years in California is in jeopardy. The community of Lake Arrowhead may lose this important economic and community asset along with the only true full scale emergency and evacuation resource on the North side of the Lake Arrowhead Communities. This property is in litigation with a lis pendens -short a favorable resolution in court Lake Arrowhead Airport WILL NOT be reopened as a commercial airport or emergency resource. We apologize for this inconvenience to the flying public and appreciate your continued support as we work through this process.

Sincerely Mark Bayley for
Lake Arrowhead Airport

I hope the conflict gets resolved quickly...
--
Rick

We are sorry to inform you Lake Arrowhead Airport is CLOSED until further notice.

This property is in litigation with a lis pendens
Sincerely Mark Bayley for
Lake Arrowhead Airport

I who knows what lis pendens is?

I hope Mark wins, I never took the time to land and visit but I fly over every time I am in the area.

Good day

Google says lis pendis is suit pending.

It is listed for sale in Trade-a-plane. 3 million
--Bill

What?? Crazy.

Here is a 10min edit job of some footage on approach to landing

rick wrote:Sad News! As of yesterday their website says:

http://www.lakearrowheadairport.com/

We are sorry to inform you Lake Arrowhead Airport is CLOSED until further notice.

Due to the extreme malicious and rogue actions of one individual Mr. Vic Domines, the future of the first airport to be permitted in over 40 years in California is in jeopardy. The community of Lake Arrowhead may lose this important economic and community asset along with the only true full scale emergency and evacuation resource on the North side of the Lake Arrowhead Communities. This property is in litigation with a lis pendens -short a favorable resolution in court Lake Arrowhead Airport WILL NOT be reopened as a commercial airport or emergency resource. We apologize for this inconvenience to the flying public and appreciate your continued support as we work through this process.

Sincerely Mark Bayley for
Lake Arrowhead Airport

I hope the conflict gets resolved quickly...
--
Rick

Does anybody have any more information on this, or the resources to research the suit? This is terrible news, I feel a bit like a kid who had his favorite new toy taken away from him.

I have been in contact with Mark Bailey. Bottom line: He needs investors. He has a complete business plan prepared - PM me if anyone is interested and I can put you in contact. The site really is an pretty place.

Any idea what the status is at this point?

evanr42 wrote:Any idea what the status is at this point?

I talked to Vic about a month ago. He put me in contact with the new owner of the airfield, but he never responded. I may try to ping him again. Vic said the new owner was going to keep the airfield as a private retreat for himself, so I'm not sure how open he is to access. I flew over on the 4th and saw two planes down there, but I didn't want to land without permission to ask.

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/2cn8 ... head-23224

Heard back from the new owner, bad news is he's not going to be offering access for "at least a few years." He said it needs a rehab. I will throw out the offer of helping with it. Not sure if it's even landable.

Will keep everyone posted.