Depue Airport — Barstow, California

Depue Airport (FAA identifier E26) is a public-use general aviation airport located in Barstow, California, in the heart of the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County. Situated at an elevation of approximately 2,157 feet above mean sea level, this facility serves the High Desert aviation community as a practical base for private pilots, flight training operations, agricultural support flights, and law enforcement aerial activities across the greater Barstow region.

Barstow itself sits at a strategic crossroads in the Mojave Desert, positioned roughly 140 miles northeast of Los Angeles along Interstate 15 and about 35 miles east of the junction with Interstate 40. The city's position as a desert gateway community — serving travelers between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada — mirrors the role Depue Airport plays for High Desert aviators who need a local general aviation facility without traveling to larger commercial hubs.

Depue Airport features a single paved runway oriented to accommodate the prevailing desert wind patterns common throughout San Bernardino County's inland areas. The runway length is suited to single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft typical of general aviation traffic. Pilots operating into E26 should be aware of the high-density altitude conditions that characterize Mojave Desert airports during summer months, when temperatures routinely exceed 100°F and can significantly reduce aircraft climb performance and takeoff distances.

The airport provides 100LL aviation fuel available through self-serve pumps, making it a viable fuel stop for cross-country pilots transiting the Mojave. Transient aircraft parking with tie-down facilities is available for pilots making overnight or short-term stops in Barstow. The self-serve fuel arrangement keeps operating costs lower than staffed facilities and allows access during early morning or late evening hours when desert temperatures are more favorable for flight operations.

Within the broader regional aviation network, Depue Airport is one of several general aviation facilities serving San Bernardino County's expansive geography. Barstow-Daggett Airport (IATA: DAG), located approximately 10 miles east of Barstow along U.S. Route 66 / National Trails Highway, is the larger of the two Barstow-area airports and offers additional services including an air traffic control tower and instrument approach procedures. Pilots requiring IFR operations or night approaches under instrument meteorological conditions may find Daggett's infrastructure more suitable for those missions.

For regional commercial air service, the nearest options from Barstow are Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville, approximately 35 miles to the southwest via I-15, which handles some charter and cargo operations. Ontario International Airport (ONT), a full-service commercial airport serving the Inland Empire with scheduled airline service, lies roughly 75 miles southwest of Barstow. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 140 miles to the west, accessible via I-15 and I-10.

The High Desert aviation environment around Barstow presents unique operational characteristics that pilots should factor into flight planning. Turbulence is common over the Mojave during afternoon hours due to strong thermal activity generated by the desert surface heating. Dust devils, which can be several hundred feet tall, are a visual navigation consideration during spring and summer. Winds in the Cajon Pass corridor to the southwest can be significantly stronger than indicated at surface weather stations, particularly during Santa Ana wind events in autumn and winter.

Depue Airport's location also places it within the broader Military Operations Area (MOA) structure that governs airspace throughout the Mojave Desert. Pilots operating in the vicinity should consult current NOTAMs and sectional charts for the Los Angeles and Las Vegas sectionals to identify active restricted areas and MOAs, including those associated with Fort Irwin National Training Center, which lies to the north of Barstow. Maintaining communication with Edwards Approach or appropriate ATC facilities when transiting the area is advisable for situational awareness.

For local Barstow residents and businesses, Depue Airport represents accessible general aviation infrastructure that supports everything from personal recreational flying to aerial survey operations, pipeline patrol, and emergency medical positioning. The Mojave Desert's clear skies — with Barstow averaging more than 300 sunny days annually — provide excellent VFR flying conditions for the majority of the year, making the High Desert one of the more pilot-friendly regions in Southern California for building flight hours and conducting cross-country training.

Depue Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Barstow, Maryland.

Name Depue Airport
Address 33326 Delaney Road, Barstow CA 92311 Map
Phone (619) 253-2954
Website
Hours

Map of Depue Airport

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Airports near Barstow

Frequently Asked Questions — Depue Airport, Barstow, California

Depue Airport (E26) in Barstow, California is designed for general aviation aircraft, primarily single-engine piston planes and light twin-engine aircraft. The runway dimensions and pavement rating are suited to aircraft in the Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee, Beechcraft Bonanza, and similar weight classes. Large turboprop or jet aircraft are not typically accommodated at Depue. Pilots should review current airport information via the FAA's Airport/Facility Directory or ForeFlight before operating into E26, particularly during summer months when Barstow's high temperatures — frequently above 100°F — create high-density altitude conditions that reduce aircraft performance margins significantly.

Yes, Depue Airport offers 100LL (100 octane low-lead) aviation gasoline through self-serve fuel pumps. This makes E26 a viable fuel stop for cross-country pilots transiting the Mojave Desert corridor between Southern California and the Las Vegas area via Interstate 15. Jet-A turbine fuel is not typically available at Depue; pilots of turbine-powered aircraft should plan accordingly and may wish to use Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG), approximately 10 miles east, which may offer additional fuel services. Always confirm fuel availability via current NOTAMs or direct contact before planning a fuel stop at any general aviation airport.

Barstow-Daggett Airport (FAA: DAG, IATA: DAG) is the larger of the two airports serving the Barstow area, located roughly 10 miles east of downtown Barstow along the historic Route 66 corridor near the community of Daggett. Daggett offers a control tower, instrument approach procedures (including ILS and GPS approaches), longer runways suitable for larger aircraft, and more comprehensive fixed-base operator services. Depue Airport (E26) is a smaller, uncontrolled field better suited for local general aviation traffic, training flights, and VFR cross-country stops. Pilots needing IFR operations, instrument currency flying, or night operations under marginal conditions will generally find Barstow-Daggett Airport's infrastructure more appropriate for those missions.

The nearest commercial service airports to Depue Airport in Barstow are Ontario International Airport (ONT), approximately 75 miles southwest via Interstate 15, which offers scheduled airline flights on carriers including United, Southwest, American, and Delta with connections throughout the United States. Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville, about 35 miles southwest of Barstow, handles some cargo and charter operations but has limited scheduled commercial passenger service. For the widest range of nonstop destinations, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 140 miles west of Barstow and remains the primary commercial gateway for High Desert residents making long-haul domestic and international trips. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas is roughly 155 miles northeast and is another practical commercial option for Barstow-area travelers.

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