Catalina Airport

at Catalina Airport

From Tony Nichols on 23-Nov-2009

I've been to KAVX a handful of times. Usually the service is below average but the food is above average. This last weekend it was reversed (no idea why). The runway is VERY bumpy/rough. $25 landing fee, and $25 roundtrip to take the shuttle to town. I did discover a great little 2.3mile walk/hike around the crown of the mountain the airport is built on called "Airport Loop." The views are AMAZING and I did it in dress shoes so it's no big deal. To find it just walk down the paved road past the DC-3 hangar like you were leaving the airport. You'll see a "Catalina Conservatory" sign to your right, a small brown carved wood sign (trail entrance), a large metal sign warning about fire danger, and a large overhead sign of a cowboy lassoing a calf. Follow the small brown carved wood sign and you're there! The trail includes an ancient soapstone carving location used by the local Indians.
 

From David Deacon on 17-Jul-2009

Unique landing experience; unfriendly airport. They want your landing and parking fees - to heck with your experience. Coming in 20 minutes late with my wife for our 30th anniversary dinner, they threatened to cite me for trespassing if I landed. I learned later they also threaten local taxi drivers if they pick up late pilots at the unattended airport. We went to Oxnard and had a better time.
 

From Mark Cheer on 08-Jan-2009

Great food. Beautiful place to fly to. Nice views from the restaurant. Bumpy runway. Fly to Twin Harbors to enter the pattern on the 45.
 

From Luke Helm on 04-Jan-2009

Landing fee is $25.00 as of January 1st, 2009. Runway is a bit rough, but didn't see any dangerous potholes. Personnel were about what you'd expect for a tourist stop. Cafe food better than average. Flare a bit early when landing 22 on the numbers because the up slope rushes toward you fast. Overall, a worthwhile day trip.
 

From Dan Billberry on 02-Aug-2008

Flew over to Catalina on 08-01-2008. Runway could be in better shape at $20.00 a shot. Pot holes are surfacing again. Took the $25.00 airport bus to Avalon. All other web sites said ride was $17.00. When asked the airport person in Unicom, he said it was not their website...Not too helpful or friendly. Overall good site seeing trip.
 

From Dustin E. Hoffman on 30-Jun-2008

We visited AVX on Monday 6/30/2008. It's a gorgeous flight and our first visit. I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the runway and airport. It's by no means in "new" condition, but more like an "experienced" aircraft when fairly well maintained. The facility was neat and tidy; including the restrooms (very important to my wife!), and the runway was in better condition that I'd expected from the comments here. Any holes were patched, and I didn't see anything to worry about. The staff was friendly, including the UNICOM gentleman and the nice lady collecting the fees. We can't wait to come back and spend a day or two. From its locations, it's definitely one of the most impressive airports to take friends to!
 

From David Ruck on 17-Feb-2008

My first flight into Catalina, and a perfect clear winter / spring day, communications with Paul (The FBO) very clear and helpful, the runway conditions were good and not near the poor conditions as spoken by other pilots. The $20 landing fee, $10 over night fee & $10 shuttle was acceptable and obviously the only means of revenue for the FBO as they don't sell fuel. Frank the driver on the way down to Avalon was very knowledgeable, and had quite a history as a pilot on the island. The driver on the way up barely uttered a word, drove way to fast attempting to maintain a disrupted schedule. All in all, a great trip. And a word to those first timers at landing on an upslope carrier; stay a little high, aim for the third dashed centerline and remember you can always go around and try it again.
 

From Dan Wyson on 20-Jan-2008

Flew to Catalina on an IFR training trip, and for the burgers. The burgers were as good as I had read and the scenery beautiful. Runway is definitely bumpy and with new seal coat can be deceiving. Very much worth the 320nm each way to get there.
 

From Franklin Jones on 24-Dec-2007

Be careful not to show up late. Due to a mechanical issue, our flight was delayed into Catalina, and we arrived at 5:20, which, if you check the airport notes, is 20 minutes after closing time. A very hostile person (apparently an airport official, though he refused to identify himself) "greeted" us by threatened repeatedly to report our violation to the FAA. Not a nice experience.
 

From Jeff Daugherty on 15-Dec-2007

Flew in Sept 13th. Took shuttle down town. Richie the driver was great!! filled us in on what happened with the fire etc. Stopped and let us take pictures of Buffalo. Landing fee not a big deal. Tues/Thurs best time to go down town. No cruise ships in!! Visiting from KSDL. With a friend we took plane out of KHHR for the trip. I wish all Unicoms were like these guys!!
 

From Dan Wyson on 14-Dec-2007

I went today for a visit after reading several positive comments. They definitely do have the best burger I have found. A friend and I flew 350 nm each way just to try them out and it was worth it. Beautiful approach. A little bumpy so touch down softly.
 

From William Fisher on 09-Sep-2007

Beautiful Island and scenery. BEWARE! NO FUEL AT ISLAND AIRPORT! Staff not very friendly or helpful. My plane can use auto fuel. Wasn't allowed to bring fuel from gas station in Avalon up to airport in shuttle. No break on shuttle fees after $20 landing fee. Luckily very friendly and gracious fellow pilot allowed me to siphon 5 gallons. Didn't want to charge me!!! Too bad that pilot camaraderie doesn't extend to the whole community. Remember, what goes around, comes around! I won't be going back any time soon.
 

From Tim Lewis on 27-Aug-2007

The fees do add up fast. By the time I paid for landing fee, an overnight tie down, and 2 round trip shuttle rides in to Avalon, my wallet was $70 lighter. Nonetheless, this is one of the more unique airports to fly to and Avalon is a really fun place to spend a night. Nice to see the landing fees going toward improvements: the new runway surface looks great and it's really not that bumpy. Friendly & efficient service from the airport operators/Unicom.
 

From Duane R. Amann on 26-Aug-2007

Nice people. Excellent transportation to and from Avalon. Too bad about the recent forest fire damage on the island. Still an excellent stop. The cafe is nice, too.
 

From Jim Maher on 16-Feb-2007

Catalina is one of my favorite destinations. The re-surfaced runway and taxiway are nice. The place feels like a thousand miles from Los Angeles and only cost $20. What a deal! Favorite romantic get-a-away? The Banning House at Two Harbors.
 

From Scott Siemiller on 12-Jan-2007

My wife and I flew into Catalina for the first time about a week ago. The runway is in great shape. It's still a tad bumpy but nothing to fret over. Unicom was very helpful with wind and traffic advisories. Make sure to call when about 10 miles out to let them know you're inbound. We'll definitely be back