Love going here, the runway can be a challenge but you just fly your altitudes and it is fine. As for the earlier comment about the people, I have to say we go on a very regular basis and I have never met anyone that is rude, the staff that runs the field is great, always friendly. It's a must see and a very unique place to visit. Buy the annual pass, you'll use it and it will seem like a bargain, even if you don't buy it the $25 is reasonable considering the experience that you are getting.

This is a crazy runway next to a beautiful airport. Just trust your instruments - aim for 150 AGL at the threshold and know that there is half the runway that you just can't see. I did two go rounds and I don't think I was the first - don't be proud. The Airport in the Sky folks were great - they organised another shuttle down into Avalon ($13 each one way) as there was so much demand. The trip down into town is worth every penny - hair-raising bends and drops, buffalo, jewel blue sea the works. Avalon is the least American place I have been to over here (despite being full to bursting with LA folks) - more like a little town in the riviera. Very pleasant place despite the hoardes. Small beach, ice cream and little playground kept my toddler happy + feeding the fish off the pier. VFR pilots - don't be scared of crossing LAX - read the special flight rules bit on the terminal chart and go for it. Very straightforward.

Catalina Island is perhaps the LA areas most unique destination. I'm a regular, love to hop over from my home base of KHHR for a burger. The island is beautiful and features some great places to visit while there. I find it a little comical how many complain about the $25 landing fee. if the landing fee is an issue for you than I suspect that the cost of insurance, fuel and maint. must make getting up in the morning a difficult prospect! There is an annual pass available for $150.00 which gives unlimited use. I'm guessing I do 10 trips or more a year (willingly). Anytime someone visits LA, Catalina is the first place I take them for a very unique and memorable trip. Every time I go the folks are friendly, the food is good and the gift shop is well stocked. If you need a fun destination, Catalina is an absolute jewel. For those with more time, the annual pass also gives discounts on shuttle service to Avalon, a terrific little seaside town with an abundance of things to see and do. This destination offers it all, unique flying, food, shopping, wildlife, scenic beauty, I could go on for days!

This was my first time to KAVX. It is fairly straight forward. Landing can be a bit deceiving if you are used to flat ground! It is similar to landing at Sedona. I was IFR so I had traffic advisories until I was below 4000', after that, you are on your own! Make sure you look for all traffic. On a busy day, it can be coming from every direction. Some are just touring. Landing is simple if you concentrate on the numbers. One poor guy had to do three go arounds while I was getting ready to depart. It looked like he was too high, too hot! Taking off is awesome! As far as the landing fee, it is what it is. The bus ride to town is about 40 minutes and is $25 round trip. A definite "do again"!! BE35