Shavron Flying Club's Home -
Mad Bear Field
History (this is a fictional area) -
In the early 1950's, shortly
after the beginning of the Cold War, the government constructed a small
communication center about 30 miles from Juneau. The airport area of the
facility got it's name when Sergeant Jake Williams, the caretaker during the
initial construction period, was chased away from the lake by an angry bear and
had to spend half the day in the cab of a pickup truck.
This center was used by the army until 1967, when technological advances in early warning systems rendered the place obsolete. It was subsequently used by the Forest Service until the mid 1980's and has since fallen into disrepair.
Three years ago a private company made arrangements to lease the property and employed a contracting firm to build several new cabins, light the runway and some of the grounds, renovate the docks and build a small hilltop retreat area. The company subsequently abandoned the lease. Shavron pilots heard about the facility while ferrying Forest Service Rangers up to ATTE, and management contacted the Parks Department.
Shavron has leased this facility from the Parks and Recreation Department for
a period of twenty years. After the lease period all the buildings and the
antennas are to be removed, and the area returned to it's former pristine state.
Until then, Shavron pilots are free to use this facility as a private retreat
for the Flying Club. Congratulations, pilots, this is YOUR private field.
Features -
Two original large hangars and one small T-hangar, two dock areas, several cabins and outbuildings (some of these nearly brand new), propane, large fuel tank for av-gas, an outdoor telephone, two original Quonset huts that may be used for offices or meeting rooms, lighted runway and taxiways, numerous outdoor lamps. On a hill across the lake is the scenic retreat area featuring two new cabins and a large outdoor deck with hot tub. This area is accessible by helicopter only. There is also an unused forest service watchtower on an adjacent hilltop near the antenna farm. There is a VOR at frequency 116.80 for navigation, and the VOR shows on GPS as "SFC1".
Notice to Airmen -
Although the runway is well lit, night operations are not recommended until fully familiar with the surrounding terrain. Night operation at this airpark in bad weather is extremely hazardous. The separate hilltop retreat's helicopter landing area is located directly behind the cabins and is surrounded by lamps and trees. This LZ is on sloping terrain and helicopter proficiency is required. CAUTION - crosswinds are likely.
General Notes -
No terrain flattening was used in constructing this scenery, so expect a few display glitches. There is no "autofuel" area, pilots have to pump their own gas. High speed internet is available from any of the newer airfield area cabins and from the Quonset huts.
Pilot Use and Restrictions -
The main facility is openly available to all Shavron pilots. Call ahead to reserve use of the Hilltop Retreat, but pilots will need to make their own helicopter arrangements (Shavron's fleet manager is working on getting another chopper specifically for club use). The Zodiac and the skiff are openly available for fishing, and Shavron pilots and guests may fish the lake without restriction. There is an old Ford pickup at the field for anyone's use, the keys are in it. There are tie-down lines at all the main area cabins but pilots are urged to park the aircraft in the hangars overnight.
NO HUNTING is allowed. Deer, caribou and bear licenses are available in
Juneau during the September and October months for surrounding areas but there
is to be no hunting and no shooting anywhere near the facility itself. This
restriction is by arrangement with the Parks Department. Exception - pilots and
guests are encouraged to carry a sidearm while walking around the facility at
night. Use if necessary as a "noisemaker" to scare off aggressive animals. Do
not permit children to play alone, to wander away from the facility, or to go
near the lake unattended!
Club Etiquette -
Sign the register in Quonset hut number 2 (the hut with the payphone in front) when you arrive, and log yourself out of the register again when you leave. Please launder sheets, pillow cases and towels before you depart! Do not leave any trash exposed or anything else that will draw visits from marauding bears. Bears regularly raid the facility, so please keep the windows and doors shut when you are not in the cabins. Keep the hangar doors closed when aircraft are parked inside.
There are two extra sets of keys for each of the club aircraft locked inside the key locker in Quonset hut number 1 - the combination is 18-4-66. Leave all club aircraft FULLY FUELED to avoid condensation inside the fuel tanks. If repairs are needed, fill out a repair request (top desk drawer, hut 1) and leave the completed form ON THE PILOT'S SEAT of the aircraft.
Airpark Specifications -
Location is about halfway between Juneau (PAJN) and Shavron base at Haines (PAHN). The area is a few miles north of a line drawn between these two airports.
Altitude 3,167 MSL (hilltop retreat helicopter LZ approx. 500' higher)
Runway is 21 / 3, 210 and 30 degrees. Approach to 3 and departure from 21 are hazardous due to trees and surrounding terrain.
Runway type is grass, dimensions 2,900 x 60'.
Navigation aid is VOR 116.80, range 150 miles (practical range about 120 miles). VOR displays on GPS as SFC1.
Download for this scenery: See the Scenery area of the Downloads page, or click this link.