Flight Simulator Flights at L35 Big Bear City

Big Bear City Airport (L35) is a high-altitude general aviation field serving the town of Big Bear City in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, sitting on the eastern shore of Big Bear Lake. At an elevation of 6,749 feet it is one of the higher airfields in the state, offering sim pilots a taste of mountain flying and density-altitude considerations against a dramatic alpine backdrop.

Overview

Big Bear City Airport, identified as L35, lies at 6,749 feet elevation in the mountain community of Big Bear City, California, on the east shore of Big Bear Lake within the San Bernardino National Forest. It has a single paved, lit runway aligned 08/26 and no instrument landing system, making it a VFR-oriented mountain airfield of particular interest to sim pilots wanting to practise high-altitude approaches amid steep terrain.

Airspace & Location

The airfield sits in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 27 miles northeast of the city of San Bernardino, immediately east of the incorporated city of Big Bear Lake and within the San Bernardino National Forest. The surrounding terrain rises sharply, with the ski areas of Snow Summit and Bear Mountain nearby, so pilots should expect mountainous topography close to the field on most approach paths.

Runways

The field has one physical runway, 08/26, listed with a hard paved surface and runway lighting. Runway 08 has a landing length of 5,464 feet, while runway 26 is listed at 5,236 feet; there is no ILS. Field elevation is 6,749 feet, and given the altitude, pilots should account for reduced climb performance and increased true airspeeds on approach.

Visual Reference Points

Big Bear Lake, immediately adjacent to the airfield, is the dominant visual feature for locating the field, with the town's business district centred on Big Bear Boulevard. The junction of Highways 18 and 38 at Big Bear Boulevard and Greenway forms a distinctive road crossing visible from the air, and the ski resorts of Snow Summit and Bear Mountain to the south provide additional landmarks for orientation when approaching from the surrounding forested terrain.

History

Aviation reached the Big Bear Valley early: Standard Air Lines of Los Angeles began a regular airline service to the community in the summer of 1929, reflecting the area's long-standing role as a mountain resort destination accessible by air. The valley itself was first settled by the Serrano people, who established camps and villages around the lake, and later saw contact with Spanish explorers before development of the modern town and its airfield.