0L9 Echo Bay Airport Guide – A Desert Runway for General Aviation

Hiding behind the northern shores of Lake Mead, Echo Bay Airport (FAA Identifier: 0L9) is a small, rugged general aviation airstrip that provides general aviation pilots with a unique access point to one of the most scenic recreational areas in Nevada. This public facility for public use, jointly operated with the National Park Service, lies about 14 nautical miles due south from Overton and approximately 54 miles to the northeast of Las Vegas, situated within the vast expanse of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Key Points About 0L9 Airport

• FAA LID Code: 0L9

• Location: Overton, Nevada, US

• Ownership: Lake Mead National Recreation Area

• Services: Serves transient general aviation traffic, including charter and private flights.

• Runway: There is a single runway, made of asphalt, and more than 1000 meters long.

• Altitude: 1535 feet (468 meters) above mean sea level.

• Operating Hours: 24 hours daily/7 days a week.

• Contact Phone: +1 702-293-8971

• Rating: 4.7 stars out of 3 ratings on Google Business Profile. 

(Source—https://www.nevadaaviationsystem.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Digital_EchoBay_0L9.pdf)

Runway Details at Echo Bay Airport

Echo Bay Airport is not your typical airfield. The airport has a small asphalt runway, Runway 6/24, which is 3,400 feet long and 50 feet wide and is located at an elevation of 1,535 feet. Although the surface is in fair condition now, it is ideal for experienced general aviation pilots flying smaller planes. But flyers must be ready to do without lighting, tower control, and fuel services. The operations are carried out under a visual flight rule throughout the day.

The airfield possesses a segmented circle to denote direction of wind and holds standard left-hand traffic. The CTAF/UNICOM frequency is 122.8 MHz, and all pilots are advised to be cautious, because sometimes wildlife or livestock may stray onto the airstrip. That is the crude appeal and the difficulty of backcountry flying.

(Source: https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/echo-bay-airport/)

Echo Bay Airport infrastructure

Echo Bay may not have all the modern infrastructure, but it is well compensated by its location. The airstrip is enclosed by the scenic views of Lake Mead, where there is direct access to the campgrounds and boat launches of the lake, as well as hiking trails. It is a favorite among recreational pilots who want a fly-in camping experience or just a quiet getaway into the desert wilderness.

Echo Bay offers a very unique flying experience with no scheduled commercial service and no traffic congestion. A visiting aircraft can easily find itself alone in the area. The scenery, particularly of the approach and departure, especially over the sparkling blue waters of Lake Mead and the bleak canyon walls, is memorable.

Maintenance and Limitations

Echo Bay Airport has an average of 500 general aviation operations per annum at present. Although that is not a burdensome load, it is sufficient to emphasize the fact that the airstrip remains useful to the region. Nonetheless, several infrastructure enhancements are being suggested in the State Aviation System Plan of Nevada.

These are repairs of runway surfaces and possible lighting improvements and additions such as hangars or a small fuel station. The overall estimated cost of upgrading the airport to the higher level of safety and convenience is estimated to be more than 2.8 million dollars.

Pilots: Pre-plan

It takes preparation to fly into Echo Bay. No fuel is available on-site, so fuel up accordingly. There are no maintenance services or hangars, and pilots are forced to tie down aircraft with their own equipment. Night operations are not advisable because there is no lighting. The airspace in the area is not controlled, although updates and NOTAMs can be received at nearby Flight Service Stations and centers, including Reno FSS.

The simplicity of the airport is rustic in its appeal. It is a nostalgic reminder of a day when flying meant freedom, discovery, and the outdoors rather than terminals and traffic patterns.

Conclusion

Echo Bay Airport is an ideal place for the adventurous flyer. It could be a weekend camping trip by the water, a flight in to do some photography, or just a strip off your aviation bucket list; 0L9 is a peaceful, scenic, and rewarding experience. Its low profile in the Nevada backcountry reminds you that some of the best things in aviation are not in the air, but where your tires hit the ground.