Dick Dale Skyranch Airport

Twentynine Palms, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Closed Airport

ICAO

43CL

IATA

-

Elevation

1793 ft

Region

US-CA

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 34.206265Β° N, -115.997775Β° E

Continent: NA

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: 43CL

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

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Airport Information

Technical Information

For Aviation Geeks

Designation Length Width Surface Status
10/28 2800 ft 85 ft DIRT Active
12/30 2860 ft 85 ft DIRT Active

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 24, 2025
Closure Date

The airport was officially closed sometime after the death of its owner and operator, Dick Dale, on March 16, 2019. By 2021, it was no longer depicted on official aeronautical charts.

Reason for Closure

The facility was a private-use airport (Pvt) owned by a single individual. The primary reason for its closure was the death of its owner, musician Dick Dale. The airport's sole purpose was to serve his personal aviation needs, and with his passing, there was no longer a reason for it to remain operational.

Current Status

The site is now a non-operational, closed airfield on private property. Satellite imagery of the coordinates shows the dirt runway is still clearly visible but unmaintained. The entire 'Skyranch' property, including the former airstrip, was listed for sale following Dick Dale's death. It remains a private ranch, and the airstrip is simply a remnant feature of the land.

Historical Significance

Dick Dale Skyranch Airport was the personal airstrip for the legendary musician Dick Dale, known as the 'King of the Surf Guitar.' The airport was a key feature of his 81-acre 'Skyranch' compound in the remote Mojave Desert. Dale, an avid pilot, used the airstrip to fly his aircraft, including a Cessna 337 Skymaster, to and from his home. The ranch was a reflection of his unique lifestyle, containing his residence, a recording studio, and a collection of exotic animals. The airport was strictly for private operations, serving as Dale's personal gateway to the world, allowing him to live in relative isolation while still being able to tour and travel.

Reopening Prospects

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airport. Its existence was intrinsically tied to its specific owner. For the airport to reopen, a new owner would need to be an aviation enthusiast willing to go through the process and expense of having the facility re-certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Given its private and specialized nature, this is considered extremely unlikely.

Nearby Airports

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Robert E Bush Naval Hospital Heliport
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Wonder Valley Landing Strip
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Condor Field
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Cones Field
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~7 km away
Bauer Airport
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Twentynine Palms, US
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~7 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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