Gillespie Field Airport (SEE) — El Cajon, California

San Diego County's Premier General Aviation Hub in East County

About Gillespie Field Airport

Gillespie Field Airport, operating under FAA identifier SEE and IATA code SEE, is a public general aviation airport owned and operated by the County of San Diego. Situated in El Cajon, California, at an elevation of approximately 388 feet above mean sea level, Gillespie Field serves as the primary general aviation reliever airport for San Diego's East County region, covering communities including Santee, Lakeside, Alpine, and the greater El Cajon valley.

Gillespie Field covers roughly 1,400 acres and features two runways: Runway 27R/09L stretching approximately 5,342 feet and the crosswind runway 17/35 at around 2,738 feet. These dimensions accommodate a wide range of single-engine piston aircraft, multi-engine turboprops, light jets, and helicopters that form the backbone of general aviation activity in eastern San Diego County. The airport handles over 150,000 annual aircraft operations, making it one of the busiest general aviation airports in the Southern California region.

Located just 17 miles east of San Diego International Airport (SAN), Gillespie Field provides East County residents and businesses with convenient access to private aviation without the congestion associated with the region's major commercial airport. Its geographic position near Interstate 8 and State Route 67 makes it readily accessible from throughout San Diego's inland communities.

Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) and Fuel Services

Gillespie Field is home to multiple Fixed Base Operators providing comprehensive services to transient and based aircraft. Pilots flying into SEE will find 100LL AvGas and Jet-A fuel available, with competitive self-serve pricing on 100LL that appeals to cost-conscious general aviation pilots. FBO services at Gillespie include aircraft towing and marshaling, GPU (ground power unit) hookups, oxygen service, crew cars for local errands, and pilot lounge facilities with weather briefing stations.

The airport's ramp and parking areas accommodate both transient and overnight aircraft, with tie-down spots available for visiting pilots exploring San Diego's East County. Long-term tie-down leases and hangar rentals are administered through the County of San Diego's Airports Division, offering T-hangars, box hangars, and community hangar options for locally-based aircraft owners. The demand for hangar space at Gillespie Field is consistently high, reflecting the robust local general aviation community.

Flight Training and Aviation Schools

Gillespie Field has long been a cornerstone of pilot training in Southern California. The airport hosts several FAA-certified flight schools offering Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Multi-Engine training programs. The relatively mild climate of El Cajon — with over 280 days of flyable weather annually — makes Gillespie Field an attractive base for student pilots pursuing year-round training schedules.

Flight training operations at SEE benefit from the airport's controlled airspace environment, with an FAA-operated Air Traffic Control tower providing sequencing and safety services. Student pilots gain valuable experience operating in a Class D airspace, preparing them for transitions to Class C and Class B environments such as those surrounding nearby Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF) and San Diego International Airport (SAN). Advanced students and flight instructor candidates also use Gillespie Field as a staging point for cross-country flights throughout Southern California and into Arizona and Nevada.

Helicopter flight training is also a significant component of Gillespie Field's aviation ecosystem, with rotorcraft operators using the airport's open ramp areas and designated helicopter parking to conduct hovering exercises, autorotation training, and cross-country helicopter instruction. The combination of fixed-wing and rotorcraft activity creates a dynamic training environment that reflects the full spectrum of general aviation.

Airport Quick Facts

  • IATA / FAA: SEE
  • City: El Cajon, CA
  • County: San Diego County
  • Elevation: ~388 ft MSL
  • Runways: 27R/09L (5,342 ft), 17/35 (2,738 ft)
  • Control Tower: Yes (Class D)
  • Owner: County of San Diego
  • Type: Public General Aviation
  • Annual Ops: ~150,000+

Nearby Airports

  • SAN — San Diego Intl
    ~17 miles west
  • MYF — Montgomery-Gibbs Executive
    ~12 miles northwest
  • SDM — Brown Field Municipal
    ~22 miles southwest

Location & Access

Address: 1960 Joe Crosson Dr, El Cajon, CA 92020

Access: Via I-8 East to Mollison Ave, or SR-67 South to Bradley Ave

Region: San Diego East County

Gillespie Field Airport - SEE Contact Information

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

Name Gillespie Field Airport - SEE
Address 1720 Joe Crosson Drive, El Cajon CA 92020 Map
Phone (619) 562-2535
Website
Hours

Map of Gillespie Field Airport - SEE

Airports in near by County


Airports near El Cajon

Frequently Asked Questions — Gillespie Field Airport (SEE)

Yes, Gillespie Field Airport (SEE) provides free public vehicle parking in designated lots along Joe Crosson Drive, the airport's main access road in El Cajon. Vehicle parking is available for visitors dropping off or picking up pilots, as well as for those conducting business at the airport's FBOs, flight schools, and administrative offices. The lots are generally uncovered and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. For pilots basing aircraft at the field, the County of San Diego Airports Division manages aircraft tie-down and hangar waiting lists separately from vehicle parking. Overflow vehicle parking is typically available on adjacent county-owned property during busy weekend fly-in events, which Gillespie Field hosts several times per year in coordination with local aviation clubs and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter community active in East San Diego County.

Gillespie Field hosts multiple FAA-certified flight training operations offering a broad range of pilot certificates and ratings. Training programs available at SEE include the Private Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, Multi-Engine Rating, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) endorsements. Several schools also offer helicopter ratings using Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters based at the field. El Cajon's favorable year-round weather — averaging more than 280 flyable days annually — allows student pilots to progress through training on an accelerated schedule compared to airports in cloudier or more congested regions. The Class D controlled airspace at Gillespie Field is a deliberate training advantage: students learn radio communications and ATC interaction essential for flying into larger airports like Montgomery-Gibbs Executive (MYF) or eventually navigating the San Diego TRSA (Terminal Radar Service Area) surrounding SAN.

Yes, both 100LL AvGas and Jet-A turbine fuel are available at Gillespie Field Airport (SEE) in El Cajon. Self-serve 100LL pumps are typically available around the clock with a credit card, offering lower per-gallon pricing compared to full-service fueling, which makes SEE a popular fuel stop for piston aircraft pilots transiting through Southern California. Jet-A is available through the FBO operators on the field, generally during staffed business hours with after-hours arrangements available by coordination. Pilots should check current pricing via the 1800wxbrief.com fuel price feed or contact the FBOs directly before arrival. Gillespie Field's fuel availability distinguishes it from smaller uncontrolled strips in the East County region and makes it a practical alternate destination for pilots diverting from congested San Diego International (SAN) or planning overnight stays while visiting the El Cajon valley or greater San Diego area.

Gillespie Field was established during World War II as a military training facility, constructed in the early 1940s to support the massive expansion of aviation training programs driven by wartime demand. The airport was named in honor of First Lieutenant Virgil L. Gillespie, a San Diego native and Army Air Corps pilot who was killed in a training accident, memorializing a local aviator's sacrifice in the airport's permanent identity. Following the end of World War II, the facility transitioned from military use to civilian general aviation under the management of San Diego County, which continues to own and operate the airport today as part of its regional airports system alongside McClellan-Palomar Airport (CRQ) in Carlsbad and Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM) near the U.S.-Mexico border. Over the decades, Gillespie Field grew from a surplus military airfield into a thriving general aviation center, and its El Cajon location in the heart of San Diego's East County has anchored the region's private and business aviation community throughout the post-war era.

San Diego County is served by several general aviation airports, each occupying a distinct geographic and operational niche. Gillespie Field (SEE) in El Cajon is the primary reliever airport for the East County region, offering a controlled Class D environment, two runways, and a robust base of flight schools and FBOs. Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport (MYF), located approximately 12 miles to the northwest in the Kearny Mesa area, serves central and northern San Diego with similar general aviation services and is popular with business aviation traffic. Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM), situated roughly 22 miles to the southwest near Otay Mesa and the international border, sees significant traffic from cross-border business aviation and military training. Gillespie Field's longer primary runway of 5,342 feet gives it an edge for turboprop and light jet operations compared to some smaller county fields, while its East County location makes it the natural choice for residents of El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Alpine, and Ramona who want to avoid the 30-plus-minute drive to reach airports on the western side of San Diego's urban core.

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