Little River airport is the gateway airport to the Mendocino coast. Just like any other
airport in the coast, marine layer can cover the area. So, checking the weather is
an important pre-flight check before heading to this airport. During this visit,
the weather forecast was CAVU(ceiling and visibility unlimited). So, off I go.
For flight following, I was in communication with Oakland Center at 127.80. Flight was
smooth until I start descending to landing pattern as the ocean afternoon wind was picking up.
During this visit, Rwy 29 was used, and entered the pattern at left 45 for Rwy 29.
AWOS was working, the runway was wide (100') and well maintained. There were several
other aircrafts at the transient; chain tie downs were available. Restrooms at the office were clean.
There's suppose to be fuel in this airport but I didn't get a chance to locate it.
After securing the Archer, a local pilot gave me and my folding bike a ride to the Little River Market for
some snacks before biking back to the airport.
Since we are in a Covid-19 pandemic, it's good to see people at the market have their masks on and practicing
social distancing.
Biking back to the airport can be a workout since it's mostly uphill but doable. There's no shoulder or designated
bike lane --- but the local drivers were keeping distance. And it has a nice country scenery. I did pass some other
pilots biking at slower pace.
Return flight was also smooth and in contact with Oakland Center at 127.0.
View of Lake Sonoma from 6,500' on the way to Litte River.
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Setting up for left 45 entry for Rwy 29 includes overflying the coast. The beautiful view
can be distracting as I prepare for landing.
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On final for Rwy 29; runway is wide (100') and in good shape.
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Plenty of transient parking with chain tie downs. It was a nice day during the trip, so there were several visiting aircrafts too.
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The restrooms at the side of the office building were clean.
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The Air Galore supposed have rental cars one can reserve to get to the town. I called them before taking off, but nobody answered.
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So, I used my folding bike instead. A local pilot gave me a ride to the Little River Market....
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... where I was able to get some snacks before heading back to the airport.
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This is a nice inn right across the Little River Market.
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A sign to the airport at Hwy. 1.
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The bike ride back can be a work out since it's mostly uphill and there's no shoulder or designated bike lane.
But the road goes through nice country scenery including this golf course.
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Finally, the turn towards the airport.
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It was a great visit; I may come back again with more time to explore the area.
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