Eclipse - 2024

Gillespie County Airport (T82) is the prime spot to view the total eclipse on Apr 8, 2024.

(Update as of March 2024)

Key times:

Important Information if you are planning to fly into T82

1. Preflight Information
   • Airport Information https://skyvector.com/airport/T82/Gillespie-County-Airport
   • Upon arrival and after securing your aircraft, check in with the parking team or at the terminal building. If parked on a parking tie down location, you must have a parking pass. The parking pass must be displayed and easily viewable in your aircraft.
   • For aircraft with greater than 45ft wingspan, PPR is required. Contact the FBO at 830-997-3313. 
   • Actual NOTAM - 03/015 - AD AP CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 45FT EXC PPR 830-997-3313. 01 APR 00:01 2024 UNTIL 09 APR 17:00 2024. 
   • NOTAM...the runway will be closed 2 hours prior to the start of the eclipse (11:30 local) and reopened 1.5 hours after the total eclipse (1500 local).
   • Actual NOTAM - 04/002 - AD AP CLSD. 08 APR 16:30 2024 UNTIL 08 APR 19:30 2024.
   • A national Domestic Notice has been issued, including lists of impacted public use & DoD airports by ARTCC.
     https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/domesticnotices/dom24008_gen.html
   • A ZHU Letter to Airmen (LTA-ZHU-9) has also been issued.
     https://notams.aim.faa.gov/lta/main/viewlta?lookupid=3317925358765872859
     
   • NOAA weather forecast
     https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=30.2791143&lon=-98.872888

     (once the NOTAM is published...It will be posted here.)

2. Parking: (For assistance upon arrival, contact the Ramp Boss on 122.7 for directions)
   • T82 has 89 marked parking spots.

   (Note:  Reservations are for overnight parking only.  Reservations are NOT for the day only.

   To reserve your spot,

   call 830-990-5764)

   After calling, provide the following information via email to tlombardi@gillespiecounty.org: 

   Name, cell #, email address, N#, type of aircraft, date of arrival & date of departure

   ($100 for the event)

   (Nonrefundable)

   • 40 spots on the terminal ramp (T1-40)
   • 40 spots on the north ramp (N1-40)
   • 9 spots on the forest service ramp (unmarked)

Note: If you have a reservation at the Hangar Hotel, aircraft parking is not included. Follow the direction above to reserve your aircraft parking spot.

• Overflow aircraft parking (on the grass), weather permitting.
  • It is first come, first served.
  • This area will open for use on Sunday (if early arrival is required, contact the airport manager at 830-990-5764)
  • Parking assistance is required.
    • Parking assistance window
      • Sunday 1200-2000
      • Monday 0700-1130
  • Bring tiedowns and anchors.

• “Day of”
  • It is first come, first served. Parking teams will utilize the overflow parking areas first, prior to utilizing the "Day of" spots. 
  • Contact the “Ramp Boss” on 122.7 upon landing to get directions. You may be directed to proceed to the hold area (on the north ramp) to wait for the marshalling/parking team. 
  • Parking assistance is required.
    • Parking assistance window
      • Monday 0700-1130
  • Bring chocks, since there are no anchor points
  • NOTE: “Day of” parking is only for the day of.  If you want to stay overnight, you must either ask to be parked in an overnight location upon arrival, or move your aircraft after the event (not during the main departure time)

o    Departure plan

• The airport has placed volunteers all around the airport to assist with your departure. Please follow all the directions to help expedite everyone’s departure in a safe and orderly way. The Ramp Boss will be the overall ground authority.
• Once you arrive at your aircraft and you are ready to leave, check in with your parking zone leader. The parking zone leader will check with the rest of the team to see if you should start. Following their recommendations, this will prevent traffic jams and excessive engine running ground time.
• All aircraft will depart VFR (if an IFR clearance is desired, contact Houston Center once airborne and a distance from the airport).
• Intersection takeoffs are not permitted, unless approved by the Ramp Boss.

1. Lodging in Fredericksburg is limited (contact early)
   • The Hangar Hotel is full.
   • Many hotels in Fredericksburg are full, but you can check by going to https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/ for information regarding Hotels & Lodging; Restaurants, Wineries and Things to do. 
   • For Kerrville (23 miles away), check this site:  https://www.kerrvilletexascvb.com/p/things-to-do/eclipse-2024/eclipse-accommodations
   • CAMPING IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE AIRPORT
   • Camping near the airport: 
     1. Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Campground, , https://www.fbgtx.org/343/Lady-Bird-Johnson-RV-Park, (830) 997-4202
     2. Gillespie County Fair grounds (RV and Dry camping options) (next to the airport), (830) 997-2359  

2. Transportation (no courtesy vehicles)
   • Taxi, Uber and Lyft are usually available (expect a wait time due to the event).

3. Food
   • The Airport Diner is available for breakfast & lunch on Apr 7^th (normal menu)
   • On Monday (during the eclipse), the Airport Diner will only offer pre-packaged sandwiches, chips, and drinks for purchase, while supplies last.

4. Eclipse Glasses
   • If needed, glasses are available at the terminal building. 

Method of payment:  

Please Contact Airport Manager Prior to Paying.

To pay online

Click here.

(Use 1227 as the Reference Number)

(Note...there will be a $12.08 service fee for online payments)