Denver Bates Field is an official FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).
About Fallbrook RC Flyers
Denver Bates Field
- Our field is named after Denver Bates, a long time member. He was an accomplished builder, a pilot of great skill, and a great friend. His sense of humor brightened many mornings at the field with wisecracks and his trademark jokes.
- "Surely you're not going to fly that thing!" The proper response included the phrase "And don't call me Shirley!"
- "Nothing can go wrong now!" Of course, RC pilots know the truth!
Club History
The Fallbrook RC Flyers was established in 1969, and until April of 2010, the original airfield was located on the south side of Highway 76 in Bonsall, California.
In 2009 the club was notified by Cal Trans that the new Highway 76 would pass through our runway, and we would have to vacate the location. After a year of searching for a new air field, we were contacted by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. After meeting with council representatives, we were given the opportunity to create an RC Airfield on Reservation land.
In preparation of the new airfield, the Operating Engineers of California donated their time and resources to grade a large parcel of reservation land, provided by the Rincon People.
The end result is a 60′ x 550 foot runway that is covered with compacted, de-composed granite.
The field is equipped with three covered shades, 40 foot storage container, Portable toilet, running water, pre-flight starting tables, 4′ x 8′ work tables, a flight line safety fence, and most of all, a great flying experience, surrounded by the fantastic landscape of the surrounding mountains, and nearby location of Harrah’s Rincon Hotel and Casino.
There are plenty of vacation resources available at Harrah's Rincon Hotel & Casino, which is about one mile from the field.
The club welcomes flyers of all age groups and flying types. The club offers free RC flight training to anyone wishing to learn how to fly. The club members are contacted by group e-mail to announce upcoming events, & planning. We have our website and a Facebook page, keeping membership well informed. Visitors are always welcome to test fly our field with a club member present.
Please take the time to visit the field when you are in our area.
The Fallbrook RC Flyers would like to express our appreciation to the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and the Operating Engineers of California for their continuing support of RC Model Aviation.
Concerning the use of our field by outside organizations:
From time to time we receive requests to use our field for activities not related to the operation of remote controlled aircraft. It is our club policy to deny these requests.
91 MPH WINDS HIT THE FIELD on DEC 19, 2019!
