Bryant Field Airport (O57) — Bridgeport, California

Bryant Field Airport, FAA identifier O57, is a publicly owned general aviation airport operated by Mono County and located in Bridgeport, California, the county seat of Mono County in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region. Situated at an elevation of 6,472 feet above mean sea level and covering approximately 49 acres, Bryant Field ranks among the highest-elevation public-use airports in California, serving pilots who access the remote Bridgeport Valley and surrounding wilderness areas.

The airport features a single asphalt runway designated 16/34, measuring approximately 3,854 feet in length and 60 feet wide. The surface is maintained in good condition and is rated for single-wheel aircraft up to 30,000 pounds. Runway lighting consists of lighted edge indicators supported by a segmented circle, enabling operations during evening hours. Pilots should be aware that the runway is unattended with no control tower; the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is 122.9 MHz. Flight service is provided through the Riverside Flight Service Station.

Operating in mountainous high-desert terrain, Bryant Field presents pilots with unique considerations. There are no published instrument approach procedures, making it a VFR-only facility. Pilots are advised of a hillside located 1,644 feet east of the Runway 34 approach end, and California Highway 182 passes approximately 180 feet east of the Runway 16 approach end to midfield. Bird activity has been noted on the north end of the runway. Despite these terrain factors, Bryant Field is an essential gateway for general aviation traffic throughout the northern Mono County corridor.

Bridgeport itself is a small Eastern Sierra community with a 2020 census population of 553 residents, resting at an elevation of 6,463 feet. The town is the administrative center of Mono County and serves as a base for outdoor recreation including fishing on the Bridgeport Reservoir, hiking in the Hoover Wilderness, and access to Bodie State Historic Park — the most complete ghost town in the American West, located just 13 miles to the southeast. The broader Bridgeport Valley is bordered by the Sweetwater Mountains to the north and the Sierra Nevada crest to the west, making Bryant Field a critical logistics hub for backcountry pilots, fire suppression operations, and search-and-rescue missions throughout this vast landscape.

For pilots flying into Bryant Field from the Bay Area or Central Valley, the nearest commercial service is available at Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH), 56 miles to the south. Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) lies approximately 90 miles to the north and represents the nearest major airline hub with full IFR approaches and commercial terminal services. Oakland International Airport (OAK), roughly 156 miles to the southwest, and Sacramento International (SMF), about 193 miles to the northwest, serve as the primary commercial gateways for travelers connecting to the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Airport management inquiries can be directed to airport manager Kalen Dodd at (760) 932-5452. Mono County Public Works oversees ongoing maintenance of the facility. Fuel availability should be confirmed in advance, as services at Bryant Field are limited compared to larger general aviation airports in the region. Pilots planning cross-country flights are encouraged to review current NOTAMs and check weather conditions carefully, as afternoon convective activity and high-density altitude effects are common at this elevation during summer months.

Nearby general aviation airports that serve as alternates or fuel stops include Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) in the Bay Area, Meadowlark Airport in Huntington Beach, and commercial facilities at Oakland International. Ground transportation from Bryant Field to Bridgeport town center is extremely limited; pilots are advised to arrange transportation in advance. The combination of high elevation, mountain terrain, and limited services makes Bryant Field a rewarding but demanding destination for experienced general aviation pilots exploring California's Eastern Sierra.

Bryant Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Bridgeport, California.

Name Bryant Airport
Address Stock Drive, Bridgeport CA 93517 Map
Phone (760) 932-5440
Website
Hours

Map of Bryant Airport


Airports near Bridgeport

Frequently Asked Questions — Bryant Field Airport (O57), Bridgeport, CA

Bryant Field Airport's FAA identifier is O57. The airport sits at an elevation of 6,472 feet above mean sea level, making it one of the highest-elevation public-use airports in California. Pilots operating at Bryant Field must account for high-density altitude conditions, especially during summer afternoons when temperatures rise and effective aircraft performance decreases significantly. The airport is located in Bridgeport, the county seat of Mono County in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.

No. Bryant Field Airport in Bridgeport is a VFR-only facility with no published instrument approach procedures and no control tower. The airport is unattended, and pilots use CTAF 122.9 MHz for traffic advisories. Flight service support is available through the Riverside Flight Service Station. Pilots should monitor weather conditions carefully, as mountain wave activity and afternoon convective buildups are common in the Bridgeport Valley area.

Bryant Field has a single asphalt runway designated 16/34, approximately 3,854 feet long and 60 feet wide. The surface is rated in good condition and can accommodate single-wheel aircraft up to 30,000 pounds. Runway edge lighting and a segmented circle are installed to support evening operations. Pilots should note a hillside 1,644 feet east of the Runway 34 approach end and Highway 182 running approximately 180 feet east of the Runway 16 approach end — standard terrain awareness for this mountain airport setting.

The nearest commercial service airport to Bryant Field is Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH), approximately 56 miles to the south, which offers scheduled airline service to Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) seasonally. For full commercial airline hubs, Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is the closest major option at roughly 90 miles north, with connections to destinations nationwide. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is approximately 156 miles southwest and serves as a primary Bay Area gateway for travelers departing from the Bridgeport area.

External Links: