Lakes Entrance Airport - What Gives?
 

I was down at Lakes Entrance the other day and decided to drive out to the airport to see what was going on.

I found a locked gate and what appeared to be a modern airport totally empty -owned by an investment company.

Built for fish spotting aircraft or what?

Were the two large hangars empty or did you just see no aircraft coming and going?

Last time I was there I called the caretaker (Col Campbell - pictures in attached article) prior to my arrival, he arrived within seconds of me landing, offered me refreshments, collected my nominal landing fee, offered a tie-down location, checked that I had a ride into town and offered any assistance as required.

Couldn't have been happier.

It was owned by a chap, perhaps George (can't remember his surname - good friend of Dick Smith), who used to operate his Citation or similar into there but now doesn't fly after a small stroke, so gets flown in by his son from Essendon - I think he owns Execujet or one of those similar companies out there. I'm sure someone else has more information on that one.

Great Lakes Airport

Was a thriving little dirt strip country airfield many years ago with flying training going on there during the summer months if I recall. Now the place looks deserted when last I was there a year or so ago. Neat place though, looked like someone had thrown a lot of $$$$ at it then kept it closed. Good 'ol Col, great character:ok:


Wmk2

Last time we went through there, they were more than happy to let us land to collect our passengers. No access to any facilities, and charged a small fortune in landing fees, and a per passenger fee on top of that. Won't be going back there anytime soon.

Last time I was there there was a very pilot friendly grass strip just nearby as the plane flies. Ten bucks to land, dunnies and shade, just the thing for a Lakes visit. Still there I would reckon.

Yep, that's at Kalimna on the way into town from the Western direction. It is (or at least was last time I was around) privately owned as in a private airstrip at someone's house, but they were running joy flights out of there a while back.

I was charged $10 there years ago, but later I dropped in and there was no charge even when I produced the cash. It's a little further out of town than Great Lakes but in a better position if you are hitch-hiking it in.

Great Lakes:

lakes entrance, victoria - Google Maps

Kalimna:

lakes entrance, victoria - Google Maps

Did some flying at Great Lakes last summer in my ultralight. Col was awesome. If you get on to him before you go, he'll bend over backwards to help you out. An awesome setup, the place is generally quiet and locked up. Make the call and everthing'll be sweet.

YGRL now for sale
 

A regular user of Great Lakes Airfield mentioned today they received an email that the airfield is being put up for sale. Does anyone have any information? I’ll give the ERSA ARO a call tomorrow and report back.

thanks
CG

$60 landing fee published.
Yeah, nah.....

It’s a good facility and close to the centre of town, but you’re right, it’s a tad steep... including the runway, it’s like Lukla when approaching from the east. A few have come to grief there. I recall a Cirrus landed down hill and sailed through the eastern boundary fence.

Last time I was in there (B200) it was a very well under utilised drome, deserted and that was 10+ years ago!

This was back in 2008.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....7d54e7a906.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d3b85fa262.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....34c7e3d378.jpg

FGK went off the end of the runway at Lismore? a few years back!

2015. https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications...r/ao-2015-114/

Where was CASA when you need them. Non-standard markers/markings everywhere. Tut Tut!

Non standard at Great Lakes or Lismore?