Prepare to Fly

Mears Field is located in Concrete, Washington, 95 miles north of Seattle and 49 miles south of Bellingham. Get there via North Cascades Scenic Highway 20.

From Interstate 5, north or south, exit at Cook Road, #232. Turn east onto Cook Road (towards Sedro-Woolley), then follow signs to the North Cascades Highway.

The North Cascades Highway closes in winter between milepost 134, east of Diablo Lake, and milepost 171 at Silver Star Gate. The western portion of the highway remains open year-round.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Please park in the public parking area. A small parking area is located by the fence, just outside the airport entrance.

Facilities are available at the pilots’ lounge. The pilots’ lounge is located 200 feet inside the airport entrance, near the Mears Field welcome sign. It offers restrooms, free wi-fi, plenty of seating, and a small aviation library. These facilities are open to the public.

Be alert and cautious at the airport. Please be mindful about safety during your visit to the airport. Never approach parked aircraft. They could be occupied and suddenly start an engine. Please be vigilant and remain clear of the ramp area, runways, and taxiways. At Mears Field, large unmarked grass areas are active runways where aircraft may land without warning. For your safety, we ask that you do not wander about or drive your vehicle on the field without an escort.

We recommend bringing a warm jacket on every flight, even during summer. It may be flip-flop conditions at the airport, but it’s important to remember it can be much cooler at the higher elevations we fly. Please consider the following suggestions about what to bring on your flight.

All Seasons
Rain gear, sweater, sunglasses, hat, camera, cell phone, charged batteries, water bottle, sunscreen, medications, and a travel snack.

Summer: June through September
Warm jacket, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and rain gear.

Spring, Fall, and Winter
Warm coat or hooded parka, rain gear, warm hat and gloves, warm shoes or boots, and long pants. We recommend wearing thermal underwear and dressing in layers.

If you book a flight online, we will contact you to confirm the flight date and time. The season and current weather conditions influence when we fly, but we will try accommodate your preferences as much as possible.

Mornings and evenings are best for smooth air and photography in spring, summer, and fall. Due to local wind patterns, we do not fly mid-day or in the afternoon during summer. In winter, sun angles in late mornings and early afternoons offer ideal conditions.

We are open March – October. If you are interested in flying during the winter months while we are closed, let us know. We’ll open for limited reservations when good weather allows.

If you would like to book a flight departing in the next 48 hours, please call us at (360) 239-2339.

If we are unable to fly due to weather, you have the option to reschedule or receive a refund, less our cancelation fee of 5% for payment processing.

All baggage and passengers will be weighed at check-in.

Cessna 180 Taildragger Limits
• Three passengers per flight
• Combined passenger weight limit of 450 pounds

Piper Supercub Limits
• One passenger per flight
• Passenger weight limit of 225 pounds

Northwest Washington enjoys a Mediterranean-like climate with temperate wet winters and mild, dry summers. July through September is the dry season, with pleasantly warm temperatures. Although it may be hot at the airport, it can cool off dramatically at higher elevations. For this reason we recommend you wear pants, closed-toe shoes, and bring a jacket on every flight.

Spring and fall are considered transition seasons. The vibrant mountain colors of autumn are best from late September through October.

With an annual rainfall averaging more than 70 inches per year, the landscape is remarkably green and lush. Most precipitation is concentrated during the winter rainy season from November through February. Winter temperatures are mild across the coastal lowlands, typically in the mid 40’s. Lower elevations seldom see snow, but the North Cascades receive the heaviest measured snowfall on record. This makes the range one of the world’s snowiest, and a scenic winter flight is unforgettable.

We constantly monitor weather conditions both on the ground and aloft and may postpone or cancel your flight for safety reasons. If your flight is canceled due to weather, you will receive a full refund. Please see the Cancellations and Refunds section on this page to learn more.

Our flights take off and land at Mears Field in Concrete, WA. We are unable to offer destination drop-offs at this time. For longer, custom photography flight missions, we are able to land for human needs breaks. Contact us for custom options.

Reserve a trip online, by email, or phone. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and full payment at the time of booking is required. We accept cash and all major credit cards.

We are kid-friendly and can normally accommodate children ages 7 or older.

Give the gift of adventure! You can purchase an E-Gift Certificate online. Gift certificates are available for a designated dollar amount. They expire one year from the date of purchase and are non-refundable. Note that flight prices are subject to change.

No worries if you lose the certificate. We can send you a new copy.

If you have a gift certificate and are ready to book your flight, email or give us a call.

We discourage visitors from bringing pets to the airport. In the interest of safety, please make arrangements to provide for the needs of your pets prior to arriving.

Safety is our first priority. We continuously monitor and evaluate the airplanes, weight and balance, runway conditions, weather, and human factors for safety. Our approved FAA maintenance program ensures our planes are meticulously maintained and in the best possible condition. Each aircraft is equipped with an emergency locator transmitter (ELT), a SPOT Satellite Messenger, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, food, water, and other vital equipment. Your pilot will conduct a pre-flight passenger briefing prior to departure so you can learn about the airplane’s features and on-board safety equipment.

Snowking Aviation pilots are commercially certified by the FAA and have years of mountain flying experience. All flights are subject to pilot discretion.

Air sickness is considered a normal response in healthy individuals. If you are prone to getting sick, you should prepare using methods that have worked well for you in the past. Options include ginger, acupressure wristbands, and medicines like Dramamine or more effective prescription medications. Eat lightly and avoid alcohol before flying. Some things you can do to help prevent air sickness during your flight include opening fresh air vents, chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, breathing slowly and deeply, and focusing outside on the horizon. If you do get sick, sick-sacks are available in the airplane. Your pilot will cover this topic during the pre-flight briefing.