The Popular Rotorcraft Association is an international group of rotorcraft enthusiasts.

Chapter One is the Southern California club.

Please attend one of our meetings.  Everyone who is interested in rotorcraft is welcome!

We meet every second Tuesday of the month at 8:00 p.m. 

Please call in case the meeting as been moved to an off-site location. 

New!

The lakebed is still not fenced...  The posts are up around the lake but the cable that makes the fence has not been installed.  It is still open to Brock International Airport.  Even when the BLM gets the money to get the fence is up and the gate is installed at the west end, the Brock's should have a key.

Kiensle's Ranch has been sold...  Moises Rascon, a long time gyro pilot, has been able to purchase the property.  Kiensle's Ranch has a gate that leads to the lakebed and now Moe has the key.  Moe has promised to clean up Kiensle's and make it a great place for gyros and ultralights.  I now feel El Mirage will continue to be the premiere gyro flying area in Southern California.  Thanks Moe!

New Directions...  The directions listed below take you through Victorville where there are lots of motels, restaurants, hardware stores, etc.  I felt it was a good way for the uninitiated to come.  But there is a faster way:

15 north.  While climbing out the Cajon Pass...

138 west (left) towardsWrightwood.  A mile or two past the Wrightwood turn off as you crest the hill...

North (right turn only) on Sheep Creek Road.  Go through Phlelan.  This is your chance to buy things you might need, get fast food, etc.  This dead ends into El Mirage Road.

East (right) on El Mirage Road to the official El Mirage Lakebed entrance or

West (left) to Old El Mirage Road on the county line.  Take the road to the Brock's.

The tricky part with these directions is you can't go back exactly this way.  You can only make a right onto 138 going North on Sheep Creek.  It's best to turn right in the center of Phelan and go down to the light and make a left up to the 138.

FAQ'S
What is the Ken Brock Freedom Fly-In ?
This event is the largest home-built rotorcraft fly-in in the west.  The Fly-in is hosted by the Popular Rotorcraft Association's Chapter One. We do not "run" the fly-in, but only set the date and send out the invitation to both pilots and spectators. Ken Brock was a noted air show performer, stunt pilot and aircraft manufactuer.  Ken was also the past president of Chapter One.  As the name Freedom Fly-in implies, all aircraft are welcome and celebrates our freedom to fly.

What is the cost?
As the name implies, the Freedom Fly-in is free for both pilots and spectators.

What should I know if I am bringing an aircraft?
Again, it is the Freedom Fly-in: You are free to do whatever you want. However there are certain safety items:
     -Please do not fly low over the flight line or any other crowded area.
     -There will be a "no rotors turning" area marked west of the flight line.
     -If the area west of the north/south flight line is busy with air traffic, please fly a counter clockwise racetrack pattern.
     -Non-rotorcraft traffic should land north or south of the flight line
Please stop by the PRA Chapter One booth and check-in for any other safety precautions and to register your rotorcraft for judging. There is no cost.

Is the fly-in for rotorcraft only?
The Fly-In's emphasis is rotorcraft, but all types of aircraft are welcome and all types of aircraft attend.

Can you land on the lakebed?
El Mirage dry lake is an OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) area and pilots fly from this six mile long runway every day.

How do you get there if you are driving?
El Mirage Dry Lake is about 15 miles west of Victorville.  If you are driving from So Cal:
North 15
North 395
West (left) Rancho Road. Dead ends on...
North (right) Koala Road. Koala will bend west (left) and change into...
West El Mirage Road. Continue west until
N (right) Old El Mirage Road. This is a dirt road. Follow the signs to the fly-in, which is located on the west end of the lakebed. Ken Brock's place is just off the west end of the lake bed.

GPS Coordinates:  Lat.: 34 degrees, 39 minutes North;  Long: 117 degrees, 37 minutes West (or 34.657613034 by 117.6143371)

Is there food available?
There isn't any food service on the lakebed but there are two restaurants and a grocery store in El Mirage. Friday night Chapter One hosts the Corn Roast at Ken Brock's hangar. The BBQ will be going and you can BBQ what ever you bring. Saturday night Chapter One hosts a BBQ and awards get-together at Ken Brock's hangar.  Chapter One supplies the beans, salad and bread.  You bring your own meat to throw on our BBQ.  There's nothing like burning a little beef to make new friends and have fun with old ones.

What's the weather like?
The temperature can vary, especially if the wind is blowing and sometimes it's very windy! During the day it is usually hot. Be sure to bring plenty of water and other fluids. During the evening it can be cool and at night the temperature can be relatively cold.

Are there any accomodations?
Camping is allowed on the lake bed, but there is not much in the way of facilities. Chapter One supplies Porta-Potties in addition to the standard bathrooms for the OHV area. There are 2 motels in Adelanto and a broader range of motels and restaurants in Victorville, 20 miles to the east.

What can I expect to see at the fly-in?

We usually attract 40-50 gyros, 5-10 helicopters and a variety of ultralights and other fixed wing aircraft.  Here's a sample:

Mark Givens, the 2001 Man and Machine award winner.

Stu Fields stirs up some dust in his Safari.

That's what it looks like from the air!

Scott Hegar tears up the sky in his Sportcopter.

This KB-3 went all the way to Antartica.

This one-of-a-kind Bensen is owned and flown by Frank Gerwatt.

Clair Moore gives the Chapter One 'salute' flying a Dominator.

Mike Schallman also likes raised keels, horizontal stabilizers and center-line thrust.

Come on out and enjoy the fly-in!

Ken Brock flies at twilight.

Ken Brock flies into another beautiful sunset at El Mirage.