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Boonville is another one of those airports I keep hearing from other pilots as a must visit.So, as the weather that kept me grounded for weeks moved south. I started looking for a northern fly-in destination and Boonville was it. Spotting the airport must be challenging without GPS since the airport is nestled around terrains. The town itself is almost hidden from the air until you're close to it. Because of the surrounding terrain, flying the pattern should be done with care and attention. For most of the time, wind favors Rwy 31. On landing, there's a slight upward slope at the middle of the runway giving an impression that I'm running out of runway causing me to brake little harder. The entrance to the paved transient parking is at the threshold of Rwy 31. So, after landing at Rwy 31, I have to taxi back while monitoring the CTAF. At the transient parking, there's an info board with a map showing how to get to the town. The town is an easy 15 minute walk with several businesses catering to tourists including a good selection of places to eat, art galleries, local wine tasting, and the Mendocino County Fair. During my visit, there must be an event going on --- the town was crowded with people with dreadlocks and wearing tie-dye shirts. Raggae music can be heard from parked cars (--- and hmmm, what's that aroma?). The airport is well maintained. It's indeed a great airport to visit but one must plan appropriately for the trip. There's no fuel and pilot lounge on site. |
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This must be Lake Sonoma. Taken at 4,500' on the way to Boonville. |
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The trusty N20858 C172 at Boonville transient parking. The Piper Archer I've been flying lately is in the shop for it's annual. Transient parking used to be on the grass. Now, it's on this paved area with several parking spots with rope tie-downs. Entrance to this transient parking is at the threshold of Rwy 31. So, if landing on Rwy 31, one must taxi back (- monitor CTAF at 122.7). |
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The info board next to the transient parking. |
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A hand drawn map at the info board on how to get to the town. Downtown is an easy 15 minute way from the transient parking. |
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No --- this is not a tower. It is a historic outhouse. I didn't get the chance to check if it is still used but it's a well photograph landmark in the airport. |
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From the airport, walk along Mountain View Road towards the high school. This is what you see at the end of Mountain View Road. Another 5 minutes and your in downtown Boonville. |
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Traffic congestion in downtown Boonville. Some kind of festival is going on during my visit. |
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The Mendocino County Fair building. |
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Local wine tasting shop. |
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Some kind of rock art outside an art gallery. |
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Going back to the airport. |
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During my visit, the high school parking lot next to the airport was occupied festival goers. Raggae music can be heard from the park cars. At the airport, a Bonanza was about to take off. |
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Entrance to the transient parking from Mountain View Road. |
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