From the Flight Deck – Gillespie Field Airport (SEE)

Gillespie Field (SEE) is a medium-sized corporate and general aviation airport located east of San Diego in the city of El Cajon, California. It has Class Delta airspace that is bounded on both sides by, and underlies, the San Diego Class Bravo. Pilots flying to the San Diego area need to understand the rules and requirements for operating in such congested airspace before departing their home airport.

0:54 - The traffic mix at SEE.

1:19 - The runway configuration consists of a set of parallel runways with staggered thresholds labeled Runway 9 left and right and 27 left and right, and intersecting Runway 17-35. Be wary of wrong surface landings.

1:58 - When arriving, the tower would appreciate an initial contact as soon as practical. If possible, they would prefer a call at least 10 miles from the airport so they can start developing the landing sequence.

2:47 - Gillespie is located within a “bowl” of higher terrain on three sides, but there is one terrain issue that may not be so obvious. If you are assigned a right downwind for Runway 27 right or left, you will find an approximately 900 foot hill located just northeast of the approach end of Runway 27 right. Pilots have seen this hill and turned base leg early to avoid it, ending up with a very short approach.

3:28 - When turning to final, use caution and ensure you are align with the assigned runway. Also, be aware that tower may have changed your runway assignment, so be sure to visually identify the correct runway.

4:02 - After landing on either of the two parallel runways and finding yourself holding between the runways at taxiway Alpha, Bravo, or Delta 2, do not change to ground frequency until advised by the tower. Also, use caution when instructed to taxi east via Delta or when instructed to taxi via Alpha, Delta, to the Runway 27 left or right with crossing instructions for inactive Runway 17-35.

5:13 - Use caution when instructed to taxi via Bravo, Delta to Runways 27 left or right. Pilots can easily miss the right turn onto taxiway Delta and enter Runway 27 Left.

5:46 - Another unique aspect of this airport concerns aircraft departing IFR. Clearance delivery will issue a clearance as normal, but they will omit the beacon code. When your run-up is complete, continue to hold and let the ground controller know you are ready. Ground will get you to the runway and then switch you to tower frequency. The tower controller will issue you your beacon code with your take-off clearance.

The FAA's From the Flight Deck video series uses aircraft-mounted cameras to capture runway and taxiway footage and combines them with diagrams and visual graphics to clearly identify hot spots and other safety-sensitive items. Learn more at https://www.faa.gov/FromTheFlightDeck.
This video is informational only and does not replace the pilot’s responsibility to conduct required pre-flight planning in accordance with FAR 91.103.