Volunteers have worked hard to bring New Cuyama Airport (L88) back to life. Closed since 2019, the airport has a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting celebration scheduled for Oct. 13. The airport is located between the Southern California coast and the Sierra mountain range, and about 32 nm north of Santa Barbara.
The airport was built by Atlantic Richfield Company in 1950 and years of sun exposure caused the runway to deteriorate, leading to its ultimate closure.
A group of pilots joined with the owners of the property, The Blue Sky Center, to rehab and re-open the airport. A $400,000 donation, combined with additional donations from the public, allowed the group to re-pave and mark the 3,940-ft runway and tie-down areas.
In addition to the new runway, the airport is getting improved camping amenities such as tent platforms, shade structures, fire pits, signage, and a kiosk. A grant from the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) made the upgrades possible.
The Blue Sky Center, a nonprofit community development organization that promotes an “offbeat but comfortable camping, retreat, or event experience,” also contributed to the campground improvements.
The facility offers expansive views of the New Cuyama valley, access to hiking trails to nearby Corizo Plain National Monument and Los Padres National Forest. In addition to event facilities, the Blue Sky Center airport campus features glamping huts, and galleries of local art and studio spaces open for use by pilot visitors.
“New Cuyama offers the only full-service public campground for pilots to experience the Southern California desert environment while enjoying the amenities of a full-time host, water, restrooms, showers, and restaurants and artisans within walking distance,” said RAF California Liaison Katerina Barilov, the one who applied for the RAF grant.
According to Barilov, the goal is to have the renovations all completed by the event on Oct. 13.
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