Brackett Field Airport (POC): The San Gabriel Valley's Premier General Aviation Field
Brackett Field Airport (FAA identifier: POC), located in La Verne at the eastern edge of the San Gabriel Valley, serves as a critical general aviation hub for communities including La Verne, San Dimas, Pomona, Claremont, Glendora, and the foothill cities at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Named for Leland C. Brackett, a pioneering California aviation figure, the airport is operated by Los Angeles County and provides a strategically important reliever function for the region's overcrowded airspace. Brackett Field's two runways — the primary 6,001-foot strip (26L/26R) and a shorter crosswind strip — can accommodate turboprops and light jets, making it useful for corporate and charter operations serving the Inland Empire fringe and eastern San Gabriel Valley business community. The airport sits at an elevation of 1,011 feet MSL, providing a pleasant foothill environment with views of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north and the broad valley stretching westward.
Brackett Field has a particularly active flight training community, with multiple FAR Part 141 and Part 61 flight schools taking advantage of the field's location at the edge of the Los Angeles Class B airspace — complex enough to provide meaningful ATC exposure for student pilots, but not so overwhelmingly busy as to be inappropriate for training operations. The airport is also home to maintenance shops, avionics specialists, and aircraft painting facilities that serve the eastern San Gabriel Valley GA community. Annual fly-in events and the proximity to the Pomona Fairplex (home of the LA County Fair and major automotive shows) give Brackett Field a community anchor role that extends beyond pure aviation utility. The FAA Western-Pacific Region and Caltrans Division of Aeronautics both classify POC as an important component of the Southern California reliever airport network.
Who was Leland Brackett, the airport's namesake?
Leland C. Brackett was an early California aviation pioneer and advocate who contributed to the development of general aviation infrastructure in the San Gabriel Valley region. The airport in La Verne was named in his honor to recognize his role in promoting aviation in this part of Los Angeles County during the early and mid-20th century.
What services are available at Brackett Field (POC)?
POC offers 100LL avgas and Jet-A fuel through on-field FBO operators, hangars, tie-down parking, multiple flight schools offering private through commercial and instrument training, aircraft maintenance and repair, avionics services, and charter operations. The airport restaurant is a popular destination for pilots making short trips from across the region. Los Angeles County Parks operates some facilities adjacent to the field.
Is Brackett Field inside the LAX Class B airspace?
Brackett Field lies just outside the core LAX Class B airspace but is within the complex Southern California airspace environment managed by SoCal TRACON. Pilots operating at POC must be attentive to the airspace structure and typically obtain flight following from SoCal Approach when operating in the area. The field has its own control tower that manages local traffic.
Can I take flying lessons at Brackett Field?
Yes. Brackett Field hosts multiple flight training organizations offering instruction from primary student pilot through instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. The mix of VFR and IFR traffic at POC and the proximity to the Los Angeles Basin's complex airspace make it an excellent training environment for pilots who want real-world ATC exposure during their training.
Brackett Field Airport - POC Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in La Verne, Maryland.
| Name | Brackett Field Airport - POC |
| Address | 1615 McKinley Avenue, La Verne CA 91750 Map |
| Phone | (909) 593-1395 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Brackett Field Airport - POC
LA County Airport Network: Brackett Field's Role in the Eastern San Gabriel Valley
Brackett Field is one of three Los Angeles County-operated general aviation airports — along with Whiteman Airport (WHP) in Pacoima and General William J. Fox Airfield (WJF) in Lancaster — that form a network supporting GA across the county's vast and diverse geography. These airports absorb thousands of annual operations that would otherwise compound congestion at the commercial facilities, and they provide FAA-certified training environments for the next generation of California pilots. POC's position at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains also makes it a natural staging point for mountain flying operations, with pilots transiting through Cajon Pass to the Victor Valley, or departing eastbound across the Inland Empire toward Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, or the Colorado Desert airports.
The airport has been the subject of periodic discussions regarding its long-term land use, as La Verne and adjacent municipalities grapple with housing demand and industrial development pressure. However, LA County has consistently reaffirmed Brackett Field's importance to the regional aviation system. Caltrans Division of Aeronautics' California Aviation System Plan designates POC as a Regional airport, recognizing its role in providing essential aviation services to a population center not directly served by commercial aviation. Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the FAA have funded runway resurfacing, lighting upgrades, and other capital improvements to keep the facility in compliance with federal safety standards.