Scott Valley Airport (O27) — Etna, California

Scott Valley Airport (FAA identifier O27) is a public-use general aviation airport located in Etna, Siskiyou County, in the heart of Northern California's Scott Valley. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 2,722 feet above mean sea level, the airport serves the small rural community of Etna and the surrounding agricultural valley, which is flanked by the Marble Mountains to the west and the Scott Bar Mountains to the east.

The airport features a single paved runway — Runway 16/34 — stretching approximately 3,900 feet in length, suitable for single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft. The surface is asphalt, maintained by Siskiyou County, which operates the airport as a public facility providing essential air access to this remote region of far Northern California. There is no control tower at O27; all operations are conducted on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF).

Scott Valley Airport is an unattended facility, meaning pilots self-serve using on-site fueling equipment. 100LL aviation fuel is available via self-serve pump, a critical resource for transient pilots crossing the rugged Siskiyou and Klamath mountain terrain on cross-country routes. The airport's identifier O27 is used in flight planning software including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and the FAA's official NASR data repository.

The airport plays a significant role in supporting the local economy and emergency services infrastructure. Etna, with a population of approximately 730 residents, is the county seat of Scott Valley and sits roughly 60 miles west of Yreka — the Siskiyou County seat — via State Route 3. During wildfire season, which has become increasingly active in this region of California, O27 serves as a staging and refueling point for aerial firefighting assets including single-engine air tankers (SEATs) and reconnaissance aircraft coordinating with the USFS Klamath National Forest operations headquartered nearby.

Pilots flying into Scott Valley Airport should be aware of the mountainous terrain surrounding the valley. Density altitude during summer months can significantly reduce aircraft performance, and mountain wave turbulence is common along the ridgelines bounding the valley. The Scott Valley itself runs generally north-south, with the runway aligned to take advantage of the valley's prevailing wind patterns. Nearby Scott River provides a prominent visual landmark during VFR pattern work.

For pilots transiting Northern California between the Cascade Range, the Klamath Basin, and the Central Valley, O27 represents one of the few paved public-use airports in this sparsely populated region. The nearest instrument-equipped airports include Siskiyou County Airport (SIY) in Montague, approximately 40 miles to the northeast, and Weed Airport (O46) to the east near Interstate 5. Pilots seeking IFR alternates should plan accordingly given the airport's VFR-only status and lack of published instrument approach procedures.

Ground transportation from Scott Valley Airport connects visitors to Etna's Main Street historic district, local outfitters serving the Pacific Crest Trail community, and the broader Scott Valley agricultural region known for hops, grains, and cattle ranching. The Marble Mountain Wilderness, accessible from trailheads near Etna, is a popular destination for backcountry hikers and equestrians, and the airport provides an efficient entry point for those flying in from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, or Pacific Northwest.

Scott Valley Airport Contact Information

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

Name Scott Valley Airport
Address 8325 Island Road, Etna CA 96027 Map
Phone (530) 468-2211
Website
Hours

Map of Scott Valley Airport

Airports in near by County


Airports near Etna

Frequently Asked Questions — Scott Valley Airport (O27), Etna, CA

Scott Valley Airport's FAA identifier is O27. The airport has a single paved asphalt runway designated Runway 16/34, approximately 3,900 feet long. The field elevation is roughly 2,722 feet MSL. There is no control tower; pilots use the CTAF for self-announce traffic advisories. The airport is owned and operated by Siskiyou County as a public-use general aviation facility.

Yes, 100LL aviation gasoline is available at O27 via a self-serve pump. The airport is unattended, so pilots should bring a credit card compatible with self-serve aviation fuel systems. Jet-A is not available at this location. Pilots planning to refuel should verify current fuel availability through ForeFlight, 1800wxbrief.com, or by contacting Siskiyou County, as services at rural unattended airports can change seasonally.

Pilots should plan carefully for density altitude effects at O27, especially during summer when temperatures in the Scott Valley can exceed 90°F. At field elevation (~2,722 ft MSL) combined with high temperatures, density altitudes can exceed 5,000 feet, meaningfully reducing climb performance. Mountain wave turbulence along the Marble Mountain and Scott Bar ridgelines is common. The airport has no published instrument approaches, so VFR-only operations apply — pilots should not attempt flight into the area in IMC conditions. The Scott River and valley floor provide useful visual references during traffic pattern entry from the south.

The nearest instrument-equipped general aviation airport is Siskiyou County Airport (SIY) in Montague, California, approximately 40 miles northeast of Etna via State Route 3 and Interstate 5. Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) in Redding, CA — roughly 100 miles to the south — offers commercial airline service via United Express. Medford Airport (MFR) in Medford, Oregon, about 90 miles north, is also a regional commercial option for travelers connecting onward. Neither O27 nor SIY offer airline service.

Yes. During active wildfire seasons, Scott Valley Airport (O27) has historically served as a support and staging location for aerial firefighting assets operating in the Klamath National Forest and surrounding Siskiyou County wilderness areas. Single-engine air tankers (SEATs) and observation aircraft can operate from the 3,900-foot paved runway. The USFS Klamath National Forest Supervisor's Office is headquartered in Yreka, approximately 60 miles east, and coordinates with aviation resources across multiple airports in the region during fire incidents. Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) may be established over or near O27 during active firefighting operations.

External Links: