Ruth Haines
Crows Landing Airport, formerly known as NASA Crows Landing Airport, is an airfield located in California, USA. With a rich history dating back to World War II, the airport has undergone various transformations, from a military airfield to a research hub for aeronautics. Today, Crows Landing Airport serves as a general aviation facility, catering to private flyers, aviation researchers, and holiday tourists. The airport boasts two concrete runways, each over 2 miles long, and covers an expansive area of approximately 2,200 acres. While the airport is not a bustling commercial hub, it offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern convenience, including car rental services, making it a hidden treasure for those seeking to explore the diverse attractions of California. The county has plans to redevelop the airport to complement the needs of its tenants and support aviation in the region. With its strategic location, Crows Landing Airport provides easy access to major Californian cities, making it an ideal starting point for business and leisure travellers alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Crows Landing, California |
| Airport Type | General aviation airport with a focus on research and testing |
| Rental Car Availability | Yes |
| Rental Car Companies | Stress Free Car Rental, others |
| Rental Car Price | $50 USD per day |
| Car Rental Desk Location | Arrivals Hall |
| Road Access | CA-33 North or South, Interstate 5 (I-5), CA-132 East or West |
| Nearest Airports | Merced Regional Airport (43 miles), Stockton Metropolitan Airport (45 miles), Oakland International Airport (77 miles), Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (82 miles), San Francisco International Airport (95 miles) |
| Historical Use | Military airfield, naval auxiliary landing field, research hub for aeronautics under NASA |
| Size | Approximately 2,200 acres |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Runway Lengths | 6,975 ft and 7,950 ft |
| Runway Widths | 200 ft |
| Former Use | High-speed driving exercises for law enforcement officers, TV and film production |
| Future Plans | The County plans to open a new public-use airport to complement the needs of tenants and serve regional businesses |
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What You'll Learn
Cost of renting the airfield
The cost of renting the Crows Landing airfield depends on several factors, including the purpose of the rental, the duration, and the specific facilities or services required. Here is a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with renting the airfield:
- General Aviation and Research: While there is no explicit cost mentioned for renting the airfield for general aviation or research purposes, the airport's focus on serving private flyers and aviation researchers indicates that rental costs may vary based on specific needs and requirements.
- Autocross Racing and Driving Exercises: The Sports Car Club of America has held autocross racing events at Crows Landing, and law enforcement officers have used the runways for high-speed driving exercises. The county charges $600 per day for a weekday rental and $1,200 for a weekend day rental. This rate is specifically mentioned in the context of autocross racing and driving exercises.
- Television and Commercial Filming: Television shows like "MythBusters" and car companies like Tesla and Chrysler have used the Crows Landing airfield for filming. However, the specific costs associated with renting the airfield for filming are not mentioned.
It is important to note that the information on rental costs is based on a 2014 news article. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the relevant authorities or management of Crows Landing Airport for up-to-date information on rental costs, as the rates may have changed since then. Additionally, the airport is undergoing improvements and development, as mentioned in the Crows Landing Industrial Business Park plan, which may also impact rental costs.
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The airport's history
Crows Landing Airport has a long history dating back to World War II. In late 1942, the Navy chose a site in the San Joaquin Valley, 71 miles southeast of NAS Alameda, for an auxiliary air station. An 804-acre parcel of land was purchased for $86,708, and ground was broken on December 1, 1942. The site was located near the agricultural community of Crows Landing, which in 1940 had a population of 363 and consisted of a gas station, a general store, and a freight train stop. During construction, the project was known as NAAF Patterson, for the nearest post office six miles north. After the Navy decided to include a post office on the station, the base was commissioned on May 25, 1943, as NAAF Crows Landing.
During 1943 and 1944, Crows Landing hosted various carrier units, including VC-65, and elements of CAG 28, CAG 18, and CAG 11. During this time, the base was upgraded to an NAAS, and the Navy realised that Crows Landing's 7,000-ft concrete runways would be better suited for the heavier weight multi-engine aircraft than those at NAAS Vernalis, 18 miles northwest. As a result, Crows Landing was designated for multi-engine aircraft, and in March 1944, the first multi-engine squadron, VPB-137, arrived from Alameda. From June to November, the station underwent an expansion project, adding housing, a hangar, and other improvements. The runways were widened from 150 to 200 ft.
In August 1944, the first PB4Y-2 Privateer squadron, VPB-118, arrived from Camp Kearney. In January 1945, Crows Landing added six enlisted barracks, a warehouse, and a 100-man ground training building. From February 2 to March 27, 1945, a VRE-1 Detachment with 12 R4Ds was based at the station. VRE-1 was one of the Navy's three evacuation squadrons that transported wounded men from combat areas in the South Pacific to naval hospitals in the US. Oakland's VR-4 and VR-11 also used Crows Landing for training throughout the station's existence.
Crows Landing was decommissioned on July 6, 1946, becoming an Outlying Field (OLF) to Alameda and later Moffett Field near Sunnyvale. In recent years, the Navy maintained a permanent detachment at the field that supplied crash equipment and refuelling services for naval aircraft from the stations in the area. In 2000, the Navy completed an EPA cleanup project and transferred most of the facilities to Stanislaus County with plans to convert it into a business park. In 2011, Airport-data.com reported the airport status as closed permanently. However, in 2018, Stanislaus County announced plans to redevelop the former airfield into a business park, including a new public-use airport to serve regional businesses and support aviation in Stanislaus County and the Central Valley. The County plans to open the new Crows Landing Airport in phases, with the first phase beginning after the receipt of necessary permits.
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The airport's location
Crows Landing Airport is located in Stanislaus County, in the San Joaquin Valley, California. The airport is situated near the agricultural community of Crows Landing, which, as of 1940, had a population of 363 people. The community consisted of a gas station, a general store, and a freight train stop.
The airport is about 71 miles southeast of NAS Alameda and covers an area of approximately 2,200 acres. It is a convenient starting point for trips to major Californian cities such as San Francisco, Sacramento, and coastal routes. The airport is also within driving distance of Yosemite National Park, which is about a 2.5-hour drive away.
The airport has two runways with concrete surfaces: 12/30, which is 6,975 feet by 200 feet, and 17/35, which is 7,950 feet by 200 feet. The runways were widened from 150 to 200 feet, providing ample space for aircraft activities.
In recent years, the Navy has maintained a presence at Crows Landing, providing crash equipment and refuelling services for naval aircraft from the area's stations. The county has plans to open a new public-use airport at Crows Landing, which will serve regional businesses and support aviation in Stanislaus County and the Central Valley.
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The airport's facilities
The airport facilities at NASA Crows Landing Airport include two runways with concrete surfaces. Runway 12/30 is 6,975 ft by 200 ft (2,126 by 61 m), and runway 17/35 is 7,950 ft by 200 ft (2,423 by 61 m). The runways were widened from 150 to 200 ft to accommodate larger aircraft. The airport also has a ramp that was enlarged to provide more space for aircraft movement.
In addition to the runways and ramp, NASA Crows Landing Airport offers a range of essential facilities for private flyers and aviation researchers. The airport is easily accessible by road, with nearby access to the CA-33, Interstate 5, and CA-132. The airport is located about 100 miles from San Francisco, making it a convenient option for those looking to travel to the Bay Area.
The airport also occasionally opens its doors to public tours, offering a glimpse into its history and the research conducted on-site. This adds an educational dimension to the travel experience for aviation enthusiasts and scholars. The airport is known for its role in aeronautics research and its unique background as a former military airfield, contributing to its charm and allure.
The County has plans to further develop the airport, with a new public-use airport intended to complement the needs of tenants, serve regional businesses, and support aviation in Stanislaus County and the Central Valley. The proposed development will include a new 370-acre airport, with a focus on accommodating small- to medium-sized cargo and air freight feeder aircraft. The County has prepared an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) to ensure the safe and orderly expansion of the airport while minimising noise and safety hazards for the public.
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The airport's opening hours
The NASA Crows Landing Airport is a general aviation airport that focuses on research and testing. It is not a bustling commercial hub, but it offers a unique blend of historical charm, modern convenience, and practical services. The airport is located in a mostly abandoned airfield, which makes it ideal for various activities that require ample space and minimal noise disruption.
- Monday to Friday: 07:30 to 16:45
- Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 to 13:00
These hours seem to cater to a variety of travellers, including holiday tourists, conference delegates, and business travellers. With a rental car, visitors can easily access nearby major cities and attractions in California, making it a strategic starting point for road trips and business endeavours.
The county has plans to open a new Crows Landing Airport in the future, complementing the needs of tenants, regional businesses, and aviation in Stanislaus County and the Central Valley. This new airport will be sized to accommodate small- to medium-sized cargo and air freight feeder aircraft.
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Frequently asked questions
The county charges $600 a day to rent the airfield on weekdays and $1200 on weekends.
The ALUCP is a plan required by the State Aeronautics Act to "protect health safety, and welfare by ensuring the orderly expansion of airports and the adoption of land use measures that minimize the public’s exposure to excessive noise and safety hazards".
The new Crows Landing Airport will be 370 acres, sized and equipped to accommodate small- to medium-sized air cargo/air freight feeder aircraft.
The car rental desks are open Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 16:45, Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00, and Sunday from 09:00 to 13:00.
