John Nichol's Field 0CL3

[wilkersk]

Anyone know the history of John Nichol's Field at Otay Lakes?

That was just a dirt strip when I was there in '79-'89. It may have had a quonset hut. And, I think I remember a Connex box or old freight container, maybe. But, there weren't any real facilities there. And, I don't remember it being charted. Didn't even know it had a name.

But, that was where I did my first couple of static line jumps. And, it was the first time I flew an ultralight.

I'd be curious to know how it got it's name.

 

[Tarheelpilot]

Owner: Tactical Air Operations, Inc.
13531 Otay Lakes Road
Jamul, CA 92035
619-421-0968
Manager: Alan Fink, Pres.
860 Country Club Lane
Coronado, CA 92118
619-517-5951

I guess you could call and ask. Their phone numbers are on the internet so they clearly want to hear from you.

 

[Rgbeard]

It’s one of the few places on the VFR charts with the word OBJECTIONABLE applied to it.

 

[SnoFlyer]

I used to skydive there, occasionally. Important not to accidentally land in the prison

 

[Domenick]

Google Earth's imagery of 0CL3 is from 7/31/2021 and shows many buildings, vehicles, and containers. There is even ground view imagery from 2/2021.

I don't see a prison.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

Google Earth's imagery of 0CL3 is from 7/31/2021 and shows many buildings, vehicles, and containers. There is even ground view imagery from 2/2021.

I don't see a prison.

Go 3.5 nm on a 215° heading from the airport.

 

[luvflyin]

Google Earth's imagery of 0CL3 is from 7/31/2021 and shows many buildings, vehicles, and containers. There is even ground view imagery from 2/2021.

I don't see a prison.

 

[Tusayan]

The prison contains some of the most notorious killers in history, Sirhan Sirhan and the Menendez brothers included as well as one of Manson’s accomplices, so it’s probably a good place to avoid unless Brown Tower says “report the prison” when inbound

It’s fun to watch the Twin Otters operate out of Nichols, they seem to fly with almost no airspeed.

 

[Pilawt]

Website of 0CL3's owner, Tactical Air Operations, Inc.: https://www.tacairops.com/home

Maybe the airfield's name is a reference to John Nichol, the British fighter pilot, POW and novelist? https://johnnichol.com/

 

[Domenick]

Go 3.5 nm on a 215° heading from the airport.

Got it. Thanks. Not sure how I missed it. It looks like a prison.