BajaNomad

airport santa rosalia

absinvestor - 4-30-2012 at 07:58 PM

I have a friend flying into the Santa Rosalia airport from Guaymas. I didn't know there was an airport in Santa Rosalia. He arrives early in the morning of the 8th so I drove out yesterday to see where the airport is actually located. It appears that it is in Palo Verde vs Santa Rosalia. When I took the turn off Mx1 marked for the airport (at a fairly new bridge) I drove about a mile when I ran into a military type unmanned checkpoint with the large rope across the street, numerous cones and a sign that clearly said to stop and turn off the motor. All I saw was military personnel (at a distance) and a couple of military planes so I thought I was at the wrong airport. Someone had mentioned that there was another airport near Punta Chivato so I headed in that direction. On the way I saw a Mexican family having a picnic and I asked them for the location of an airport that would have flights arriving from Guaymas and they clearly described the airport that I had just returned from ie the military airport. They did say that no flights were scheduled for Sunday which leads me to believe that they did know what they were talking about. It was nearly dark so I did not return to the original airport. Does anybody know the location of the "Santa Rosalia" airport? Since the sign said to turn off the motor a good 300 yards from the nearest plane (military)and runway I'm curious if that sign is always there or if maybe it is removed to allow passenger cars in when commercial flights are arriving Thanks Ron

David K - 4-30-2012 at 11:31 PM

Wow, I feel your pain!!

Yes, the Palo Verde paved runway IS the official public airport for Santa Rosalia and yes, the military use it too, it would seem.

Years ago, the dual purpose runway was the wide, mile long dirt strip at San Lucas Cove... in later years they built a paved runway up on the mountain, next to town (Santa Rosalia)... but that was too dangerous... So Palo Verde is the new kid in town.

chuckie - 5-1-2012 at 12:09 AM

Lots of people fly in there now. There is a "scheduled" flight from Hermosillo. I was told the other day that the Volaris people were in town looking it over, due to the traffic required by the Boleo mine..BUT with the mine situation unclear..........Wouldnt it be grand to have to have a regular airline fly into Santa Rosalia from the US? RE: The rope, I usually ignore it...

Bob and Susan - 5-1-2012 at 05:45 AM

its at palo verde

the airline offices are near the ferrys at santa rosalia

for years locals fly in and out of palo verde

Russ - 5-1-2012 at 05:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Lots of people fly in there now. There is a "scheduled" flight from Hermosillo. I was told the other day that the Volaris people were in town looking it over, due to the traffic required by the Boleo mine..BUT with the mine situation unclear..........Wouldnt it be grand to have to have a regular airline fly into Santa Rosalia from the US? RE: The rope, I usually ignore it...


Yes, the Palo Verde air port is busy and you'll need to get a seat early. As for the mine..... I can't imagine it not getting the financing to operate if you get a dozen or more interested friends you can go on their tour. Their office is across from the library in SR to schedule a tour.

Pescador - 5-1-2012 at 07:12 AM

Vuelos De Guerrero Negro is the official airline that services Santa Rosalia and yes they land at Palo Verde Airport.

The subtle talk of the mine being in trouble is an amazing response to the structuring that is going on. Several of the people involved indicated to me that it is pretty normal that there is a cost over-run when they go to the more remote areas. One time in Africa they were on a 42% due to the theft and graft that was going on in the area, but the mine went on to be a big producer. The Boleo mine is in it's set up stage and it was not expected to start producing until at least next year.

Right now it is a pain for the mine people to have to land in Loreto since they come in so late they are required to spend the night there and come on in to Santa Rosalia the next day, since company policy prohibits them from driving at night.

Alm - 5-1-2012 at 12:39 PM

Quote:
Wouldnt it be grand to have to have a regular airline fly into Santa Rosalia from the US?

No, thanks. Don't want it to turn into something like Loreto. Let's keep it as it is.

absinvestor - 5-1-2012 at 03:19 PM

Thanks for the responses. Ron

Vince - 5-1-2012 at 03:48 PM

I remember landing at the paved runway on the mountain above town of Santa Rosalia in the '60's with Franscisco Munoz, owner and pilot of Baja Airlines. And David is right, they closed it because of the dangerous conditions (turbulence).

David K - 5-1-2012 at 04:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Vince
I remember landing at the paved runway on the mountain above town of Santa Rosalia in the '60's with Franscisco Munoz, owner and pilot of Baja Airlines. And David is right, they closed it because of the dangerous conditions (turbulence).


1973 edition of Airports of Baja California:



David K - 5-1-2012 at 04:21 PM

The old Santa Rosalia runway is covered with houses and other buildings now.

Here is The San Lucas Cove runway on Google Earth:




Here is the Palo Verde Runway and road to Hwy. 1:

capt. mike - 5-1-2012 at 04:38 PM

we used to actively use the old strip north of town located just after the road went left up the grade for Sams clinics in the 80s.
then the military kicked us out as they made a helo base from it.
yes it was a tough landing to the north with the buffeting off the bluffs off the left wing.
Did it many times - an E ticket ride. But that's why we call ourselves bush pilots...:lol::lol:

today i wouldn't do it though. not worth it, can be risky even if it was open and legal. So we started using Palo verde but the long taxi rides to town made it inconvenient and expensive so Sta. Rosalia became sans Sams....so to speak.

Pescador - 5-2-2012 at 10:40 AM

And the San Lucas strip that David has shown is the site of the Military base and they do not allow landings there. They had a plane land the other day and they went racing out to raise hell, but it was a military plane that had an engine problem, so they gave them a place to stay in the barracks. A couple of them were guitar players so they came to our jam session in the Cove and we had a wonderful time.

David K - 5-2-2012 at 11:03 AM

I remember the San Lucas airport in 1966, as the place my dad bought aviation fuel for use in our Jeep...

We arrived into San Ignacio late in the evening the day before, and the Hotel Central was less than appealing for an evening sleep (per my mother). We slept on the beach, just north of town and the next morning we did not stop again in Santa Rosalia (it was a pretty ugly mine town back then). Only problem was our need for fuel... as we didn't stop in San Ignacio the night before, either. When we came upon the airport that served Santa Rosalia (at San Lucas Cove) we added the avgas and my dad said in felt like the Wagoneer could fly!

Muchas Gracias

GeorgeInSanCarlos - 5-3-2012 at 02:57 PM

My wife and I are the friends flying in to see our old friends at Burro Beach.

Thank you to all for your assistance with the "airport":O We look forward to leaving civilization (San Carlos) for our adventure on the beach.

G n M

dtbushpilot - 5-3-2012 at 03:35 PM

Welcome to Nomads George, hope you have a safe and fun trip. Tell us a little about yourself if you dare......dt