Air Force/Air National Guard Bases

jasc15

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
443
Location
New Jersey
Display Name

Display name:
Joe
Forgive me if this is obvious, but are Air Force and Air National Guard bases accessible to civilian aircraft? I know some are dual use, like KSWF, but is it a general rule with some exceptions (like KSWF) or are they all managed differently in this regard?
 
This is just a complete guess, but I would say while some might be dual use, some are probably most definitely not, and unless under a special circumstance, civilian aircraft are probably not permitted. I'd bet if you landed at one, without permission, they can take your aircraft, disassemble it lookin for whatever, and hold it as long as they'd like.
 
If it's not dual use, then no. This will not preclude your using one in an emergency however. I do know of a case where a young lady student pilot got disoriented and landed at George AFB. She managed to get lunch at the officer's club out of that deal. They managed to get a couple of 5 gallon cans of 80 octane from the nearby general aviation field and a young second lieutenant to sit right seat for the 15 minute flight over there. She was then told to stay put until we flew out to retrieve her.

She didn't have a free weekend for the next few months. Rumor was that she eventually married some F-105 jock.
 
If it's not dual use, then it's "Prior Permission Required" (with the exception of the "Better judged by 12 than carried by 6" rule).

If you have business on the base, it's generally possible to get permission to land, if not, then not a chance.
 
Each one is different, and you can always use them for an emergency. You can also try to secure permission in advance, I used Patrick AFB for the shuttle launch a few weeks ago.

Some Dual Use like Sheppard AFB/Wichita Falls Muni have multiple runways, some which you can, and some which you can't use (except in emergency).
 
Boise, Colorado Springs, and Cheyenne are all dual use fields at which you can land w/o PPR. However, if you go taxiing the wrong way you may meet guys with guns.

Ellsworth AFB (KRCA) is having a flyin in June for their Dakota Thunder airshow. I had to preregister and they send out landing slots for arrivals. Then I get to park with the B-1s (sorta).

http://www.ellsworth.af.mil/airshow/fly-ininformation.asp
 
. I'd bet if you landed at one, without permission, they can take your aircraft, disassemble it lookin for whatever, and hold it as long as they'd like.

Your bet would be a looser.

They make you fill out a bunch of paperwork and try to get you on your way.

If you have business on a base, you can fill out a bunch of insurance paperwork and obtain permission from the base commander to land there. No FBO, no mechanic if you burn up a starter. Few people bother and rather land at the next small GA field that is usually nearby.
 
Your bet would be a looser.

They make you fill out a bunch of paperwork and try to get you on your way.

If you have business on a base, you can fill out a bunch of insurance paperwork and obtain permission from the base commander to land there. No FBO, no mechanic if you burn up a starter. Few people bother and rather land at the next small GA field that is usually nearby.


Not saying I don't believe you as I honestly have no clue, but how do you know? Personal experience or just research?
 
Boise, Colorado Springs, and Cheyenne are all dual use fields at which you can land w/o PPR. However, if you go taxiing the wrong way you may meet guys with guns.

Ellsworth AFB (KRCA) is having a flyin in June for their Dakota Thunder airshow. I had to preregister and they send out landing slots for arrivals. Then I get to park with the B-1s (sorta).

http://www.ellsworth.af.mil/airshow/fly-ininformation.asp
BOI, COS, and CYS are civilian airports with co-located Air National Guard installations. This sort of "dual use" is very common and, since it is a civilian airport, you can use it without restriction (except the ANG-specific portion).

A different type of dual use airport is the "joint-use" airport where the military owns and operates the airfield and permits civilian aircraft to use the runways and taxiways via an agreement with a local government agency. Some of the agreements limit the civilian use to certain types of operations or users.


  • AF Plant 42, Palmdale, CA
  • Barter Island LRRS, Barter Island, AK
  • Charleston AFB, Charleston, SC
  • Dover AFB, Dover, DE
  • Eglin AFB, Valparaiso, FL
  • Grissom ARB, Peru, IN
  • Kelly/Lackland AFB, TX
  • March ARB, Riverside, CA
  • Pt. Lay LRRS, Point Lay, AK
  • Scott AFB (Mid America), Belleville, IL
  • Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX
  • Westover ARB, Chicopee, MA
 
Not saying I don't believe you as I honestly have no clue, but how do you know? Personal experience or just research?

If you read the official AF policy which I posted above it tells you exactly what will happen if you make an unauthorized landing.

Or rather, what should happen :nono: :rofl:
 
If you read the official AF policy which I posted above it tells you exactly what will happen if you make an unauthorized landing.

Or rather, what should happen :nono: :rofl:

Ahh, Sorry Alaskaflyer, I somehow didnt even see that post. Thanks!
 
Some Dual Use like Sheppard AFB/Wichita Falls Muni have multiple runways, some which you can, and some which you can't use (except in emergency).

It was at Wichita Falls where I first got the standard Military phraseology, "Cleared to land runway XX, check gear down."

I was in a Skyhawk and was quick enough to say, "Gear down and welded, cleared to land XX."

The controller was chuckling during his next key-up to clear a military aircraft to land.
 
I'm pretty sure Nellis AFB is open to GA. You oughta go check it out!













:ihih:
 
I'm pretty sure Nellis AFB is open to GA. You oughta go check it out!













:ihih:

Ahhh nope. That landing would be unauthorized.

AWWWW I missed that little mischief smily thingy whatcacallit!:rolleyes2:
 
Ahhh nope. That landing would be unauthorized

It's ok if you have an emergency, e.g. an engine that runs 'a teensy bit rough', a nauseated passenger or a missionary on board :) .
 
A local FBO had a pilot recently rent a cherokee 180 and promptly get lost and land at Mtn Home AFB. The FBO Owner got to go retreive both the airplane and the pilot. Lots of paper work involved I am sure. They did let the owner fly the airplane out.

I have watched the security police put a person face down on the pavement with an M-16 muzzle in the back of the neck of that person who wandered into the red zone at Boise.

I also have regularly shot instrument approaches at Mountian Home AFB no prior permission required, however do not touch the runway. Very useful for instrument training with the ILS was OTS at Boise.

I have also landed at Moutain Home AFB a few times either for the occasional civilian flyin's they host or when participating as the Tow Plane/Pilot for the glider act they scheduled for their bi-annual airshow. Just fill the paper work out ahead of time. 15,000 feet of runway does seem a bit overkill for the Scout.


Brian
CFIIG/ASEL
 
I have landed on many AFB's for official business, but the final approval comes down to the base commander and airfield manager. There are a hold harmless, proof of insurance, and a PPR required. It helps to be in radar contact and on an IFR flight plan. I always call OPS as well as security forces with the arrival window, since they might not necessarily be talking with each other.

If there is an alert mission or live ordinance on the ramp, you can forget about it. If you cross the red line at other than a controlled entry point , likely the SF will be unhappy. Under certain circumstances deadly force is authorized, like (guessing here) if AF one is on the ramp, they have nukes, or high value assets like AWACS around. The security forces can and will have you on the ground eating concrete until they can be assured you are not a threat.

Then, after landing at a military base, how will you get off the base without local transportation and no GA services? More importantly, how will you get back onto the base without a military ID?

Dual use is obviously a different story- just don't taxi onto the military ramp without the paperwork in place first.

So, unless you have some real business being on base, it probably would not be worth the trouble.
 
It's ok if you have an emergency, e.g. an engine that runs 'a teensy bit rough', a nauseated passenger or a missionary on board :) .
true story, though. i've heard that a girl at my flight school landed at edwards back in the day after she had an engine out. not sure if it was pre-9/11 or post. she apparently had to just about write a dissertation several times over and the af told the school they had 72 hours to remove the plane.
 
Back
Top