We are excited to have our first 2024 squadron fun-fly event; currently scheduled for Saturday 4/20. For those who haven’t flown into Shelter Cove, I wanted to put together some materials to help prepare and make this as fun and safe flight as possible. While these materials are intended to educate pilots, they are not a substitution for using your best judgement as PIC.
We are planning to land around 11am for lunch and meet at the Gyppo Ale Mill, found on the south end of the runway just before the campground. If the weather is poor, we can meet for lunch at Lampson Field (1O2) instead.
Contact & Coordination Information for the flight will be:
Shawn Britton – N7471N – (916) 705-7745
Hunter Jefferson – (530) 230-8239
TRIP TIPS AND PILOT INFO
Shelter Cove (0Q5) is located 150 miles northwest of Sacramento along the famous “Lost Coast”. This is a spectacular trip and even better destination for a weekend getaway. Some basics for flight planning to keep in mind:
1. There are no fuel or services at Shelter Cove. If you need fuel good choices would be Little River (KLLR) or Ukiah(KUKI). It is also advisable to bring chocks and a tow bar as the parking spots can be odd.
2. There is no AWOS nor IFR approaches at Shelter Cove and clouds are your primary concern. To deal with this we can usually find the automated weather at KLLR or better yet, Shelter Cove Inn has a few webcams available of the airport.
3. Flight following is highly recommended, typically you can only get radio coverage at or above 7,500msl. You will usually get dropped from Oakland Center as you approach the coast.
4. For flight planning purposed I typically plan KSAC – KLLR and the follow the coast at 3,500 to Shelter Cove. This path takes you over Lampson and Ukiah as good alternates.
5. The approach for runway 30 will take you over the harbor, campground and a large cliff. There is a large tree on your right to be mindful of. The windsock is about midfield on the ocean / west side of the runway.
6. There is a golf course running right through the middle of the “airport” so be mindful of pedestrians; usually found walking their dogs on the taxiway.
7. There are about 10 parking spots on the south end of the airport and if needed there are more on the north-end, but this is a long walk to the restaurant.
8. I recommend that you review the safety procedures about water landing for your particular plane. There are virtually no safe places to land once you turn up the coast from KLLR. Landing near other boats or parallel to the coast but outside the surf zone are probably your best choices as the beaches typically have large rocks / boulders.
WHAT TO DO AT SHELTER COVE
There are a couple of places to eat, but the Gyppo Ale Mill is your easiest choice. If you are looking to stay the night there are a number of Bed and Breakfast choices as well as an excellent campground with full services. Just keep weather in mind as it can be poor the next day.
Walking past the lighthouse there are several paths down to the Ocean, highly recommended. Also walking down the boat ramp there is a very nice beach. There are a few artist shops and small stores to look at. For the more adventurous; on the north end you can find your way to the “Little Black Sands Beach” just past the Castle Inn. Very secluded but beautiful, and a 20 minute walk each way up and down some hills.
