AIRPORT DESCRIPTION
The Black Rock City Airport
The Black Rock City Airport springs into existence every year as the gate opens and vanishes with a puff of smoke when the event is over. Airport details change from year to year, but the desert always waits. The runway is outside the Burning Man perimeter, but close enough to taxi to a tie-down and camping area adjacent to the fence. The airport includes a heliport, drop zone, Airport Gate, a pilots' lounge (the Phoenix), the World Headquarters of the Black Rock Travel Agency, and a camping area inside the fence (Cloud 9).
The Black Rock Desert is on the Klamath Falls Sectional (updated in April and October, so buy it after April). The runway is placed shortly before the event begins and may differ from preliminary plans. Black Rock City is approximately 10 nautical miles on a magnetic heading of 10 degrees from Empire. Field elevation is 3905 MSL.
After rain showers, dry clay becomes extremely sticky clay. It is unlikely that enough rain will fall to make the surface soft, but landings in wet conditions are not recommended. The surface dries very quickly after summer afternoon thunderstorms.
Prevailing winds are southwesterly, often strong and gusty. Winds can blow in one direction at Black Rock Airport, and another direction on the wide-open playa. Summer storms are common. Dust devils are numerous, even on calm days. Read Desert Flying for tips, techniques, and warnings.
The CTAF is 122.9 MHz. Black Rock Unicom is operational on that frequency during daylight hours. The runway is not lighted. Please read Air Play on the Playa for information regarding noise abatement procedures. Last minute changes are sent to the Aviators List, and if time permits, placed at http://www.portofentry.org/.
An airport fee of $40 is charged to all aircraft to cover required airport expenses such as runway marking, extra fencing for the tie-down area, the windsock, signs, and Unicom. Additional donations are requested to cover airport amenities such as group shade, tie downs, transportation, chairs, tables, the bar, and airplane camp decorations.
The Airport Gate is open only to pilots and their passengers. Tickets will not be sold at the airport but we will be providing Will Call services. New for 2008: There will be NO ticket sales at the event gates! You must purchase your tickets before arriving. SRSLY folks. NO GATE SALES. Also the gate will be closed to incoming traffic after 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 30th, prior to the burn of the Man. Also, the airport/gate closes between sunset and sunrise.
Pilots and passengers may camp with their aircraft in the tie-down area, or in Cloud 9. Non-aircraft vehicles are not allowed to park in the tie-down area.
Nearby Airports
Empire (1A8) is the closest permanent airport. It's a rough, short, dirt strip with no services of any kind: no phone, no chemical toilet, no tie-downs. The only advantage to landing there instead of Black Rock Airport is that you can walk (a long, hot walk) to the Empire store where there is a public phone and goods for sale.
If you do land at Empire, look for the power lines on Runway 25. The threshold is displaced almost 1/3 down the runway because of powerlines and ballfield lights (50 feet high) almost directly over what would normally be the threshold.
The nearest paved airports with fuel are Winnemucca, Reno, Susanville, Cedarville, and Alturas. Check fuel availability in advance to be sure of getting what you need when you need it over the holiday weekend.
Nearby Airport Information:
Alturas Muni (AAT)
California
74 nm on heading 293 degrees from BRC
Cedarville (O59)
California
64 nm on heading 305 degrees from BRC
Reno Stead (4SD)
Nevada
67 nm on heading 186 degrees from BRC
Reno Cannon International (RNO)
Nevada
76 nm on heading 180 degrees from BRC
24-hour fuel
Susanville Muni (SVE)
California
62 nm on heading 233 degrees from BRC
Winnemucca (WMC)
Nevada
68 nm on heading 65 degrees from BRC
Lots of services and a courtesy car to get into town for supplies
