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Copalis State Airport

Spindrift

Well Known Member
After a couple of hours on the beach, as we were about to load up, another RV appeared overhead. Imagine my surprise when Joe Blank touched down to cool off on the coast after a hot day of skydiving inland. I forgot to turn on my GoPro on the way in, so I had to do a lap around the pattern to film a landing before heading back to Seattle over Olympic National Park. Look for that video soon...

http://youtu.be/mXkvo1pzka0

The last 2 entries in the guest book were from the UK and France, and I can see why it would be on an international pilot's bucket list.
 
Gives you a reason...

to make the trek to the left coast, Vlad! You can add sand to your collection of grass strips.
 
Copalis Beach Landing Briefing

HI Joe ...
We've thought about landing here many times but have been unsure about the sand, water, conditions, etc.

CAN YOU OFFER a general briefing on what to look for before attempting a landing there?

Thanks, Tom and Martha
 
HI Joe ...
We've thought about landing here many times but have been unsure about the sand, water, conditions, etc.

CAN YOU OFFER a general briefing on what to look for before attempting a landing there?

Thanks, Tom and Martha

Hi Tom,

Pretty much everything you need to know is right here:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/AllStateAirports/CopalisBeach_CopalisState.htm

http://www.airnav.com/airport/S16

Runway 32/14 dimensions are roughly 4,500' X 150'. There are a couple of orange markers denoting the beginning and end of the runway environment. Look out for debris on the beach. I would suggest to Google it since there is lot of info and some very useful video out there that will build your SA. I would also use Google Earth and study the beach, obstacles, river channel, and a few large rocks that are easily missed. I think the approach and landing are very easy but do watch out for beach combers. Definitely go at low tide, land on the darker sand above the waters edge, and avoid parking in the softer lighter colored sand. The wet sand is very hard and you will barely leave tire marks. I think you could probably land a DC-3 there...

The Hoquiam ASOS is useful in determining winds, altimeter, etc. At this time the windsock at S16 is down, but you can probably figure on winds out of the NW if the weather is good.

It's easy to land on once you decide to get your airplane sandy... :rolleyes: Give it a good washing down when you get home.
 
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