Apollo XI Airfield: Home of Valley Flyers
Overview
Apollo airfield is an AMA registered field located near the intersection of the 405 and 101 Freeways in the southern area of the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. It serves as a full-spectrum RC flying site accommodating airplanes, drones, and helicopters across multiple dedicated pit and flying areas.
Apollo is one of the only airfields in LA County that holds a turbine waiver — allowing jet turbine-powered aircraft to be flown legally at the site, making it a destination field for pilots of large-scale turbine jets and helicopters from across Southern California.
Weather is mild for most of the year, with the exception of summer months where the San Fernando Valley's natural heat accumulation can make midday sessions demanding. Early mornings and evenings are the preferred flying windows during July and August.
Presentation
Access
- Coords (DD): 34.175355,−118.481821
- Coords (DM): 34°10'31.3"N 118°28'54.6"W
- Location: NW of 405/101 Fwy interchange, Sepulveda Basin
- Hours: The gate opens at dawn and is closed at dusk by LA County Rangers. No after-hours access.
- Access: The gated entrance is on the north perimeter and is operated by LA County Parks & Recreation.
Station
Apollo XI hosts WA6MHA-11, a CWOP (Citizens Weather Observer Program) weather station located in the North Bin Container at the field. This station provides real-time, on-field weather readings — far more accurate than regional airport data for predicting flyable conditions at the site.
Contacts:
President
- President: Scott Ramos
- Email: president@valleyflyers.com
- Phone: 747-388-7763
Vice President
- Vice President:Tena Homme Aguila
- Email: vp@valleyflyers.com
- Phone: 747-245-9665
& Regulations:
This facility is designed to accommodate five general types of remotely controlled powered aircraft in 4 separate areas of the park
- Radio controlled fixed wing, heavier than one pound on the main runway.
- Radio controlled fixed wing, one pound or less & R/C gliders North of the pit area.
- Radio controlled helicopters and drones, South of the pit area
- Control line flight in the designated U-Control circles
Radio Control Flight Rules
- Non FRIA site, Must have Remote ID installed on all UAVs.
- RIDE (Remote ID Exception) site, Club Members and Sanctioned Event participants can fly without Remote ID.
- All pilots must fly from one of the designated pilot stands.
- When Van Nuys Airport runway 34 is in use during North Wind conditions flying is allowed to only a maximum of 100ft
- Open flying is restricted during scheduled events.
- No take offs and landings from the pit area, taxiways, or grass.
- 250 feet maximum flying altitude.
- Take-off and landings to be in the same direction according to the wind.
- Down-wind passes over the runway are prohibited when other aircraft are flying.
- Some sort of fuel recovery system must be used when fueling planes to avoid spillage.
- All pilots will follow taxiways directions as posted.
- Pilots will call out their intentions (landing, take-off, etc) and clear the runway quickly.
- There shall be no flying during facility mowing operations
- Flying over the Golf course, access roads or public roads is prohibited.
- Each type of aircraft must fly and pit within the area designated on the map for that type of vehicle. Fixed wing aircraft will have a standard left or right pattern depending on the wind.
- Starting aircraft (Jets or Propeller driven) in the pit area is strictly forbiden.
- Spotters are required for:
- All turbine jets
- All prop planes over 90 size
- Large DEF's over 60 inches
Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a citation, loss of flying privilege or both.
**Pilots please note, the Field is closed to open flying during all Valley Flyers Events. Pilots must check-in to participate in Valley Flyers Events. A valid VF Club membership and/or AMA membership is required. Become a member, visit www.Valleyflyers.com for more information.
Gallery
