Page 8 - Aerotech News and Review, Jan. 19 2018

High Desert Hangar Stories
‘I’m sad to see it go’
Doc Burch and the glory days of Quartz Hill Airport
by Bob Alvis
special to Aerotech News
In 1968, country and western performer Doc Burch grew tired of the Los Angeles scene, with all its smog and drama, and went looking for a life change.
Many of us today would envy what he did, as he packed up his car and drove until he found that special place to get away from it all and start a new life doing something he loved. When his 1965 Ford rolled onto the property of Quartz Hill Airport that February, he started a new love affair that would last for 20 years.
Unlike nowadays, after he saw the airport property a deal was struck that day with the op- erator. With just a handshake, a month-to-month lease for 20 years was agreed upon. This impor- tant piece of Quartz Hill history would continue on and define the community as much as the water tank on the hill.
I knew Doc for quite a while. We attended church together in Quartz Hill, where he helped start Christ our Savior Church in downtown Quartz Hill. Getting to know him and his per- sonality, I can just imagine how fun that airport would have been to hang around.
During that time period, Doc expanded his
Courtesy photograph
Quartz Hill Airport as shown on an aeronautical map.
4 a.m. to midnight. Doc fixed airplanes, gave flying lessons and ran the cafe. Doc had a fleet of 10 trainer planes at the field, but as costs es- calated, he slowly depleted his inventory down to just a couple.
Doc was a showman, and in running an air- port he took that talent and made it work for the entertainment of the Antelope Valley. There was nothing like a Quartz Hill Airport air show! It was more like a day of com- petition, as he would have local flyers compete in ribbon cutting (a roll of toilet pa- per tossed out the window of a plane and how many cuts you could do before it hit the ground) and bombing ac- curacy with bags of flour! It was said the safest place to be on the field was in the center of that target! After a day of activities and rides for the public, a good old-fashioned hanger dance took place that lasted well into the night. Doc really knew what people wanted and
The Quartz Hill Airport in its prime days.
he always delivered.
Doc always knew that the Airport was run-
ning on borrowed time and that sooner or later land development would bring an end to this important part of Antelope Valley history. In the last five years of the Airport’s operation, about five airplanes were tied down and Doc had stopped giving flying lessons. The cafe contin- ued on, as locals and airport bums would come in to experience the sweet smell of eggs and ba- con, and grilled onions on hamburgers that were all made with the masterful touch of his wife, Vivian. Sitting at an old-school airport cafe and hanger, flying with Doc and some old-timers is what they would say is “good medicine for the soul” for those who embrace the flying world.
In February 1988 the history book was about to close, as Doc was given notice to move the buildings. New housing was to replace the Air- port, so he was to shut down all operations and vacate. All the planes were flown out but one, which sadly was towed from the field. Doc Burch flew the very last plane out of Quartz Hill Airport and as he watched the hanger and
Courtesy photograph
buildings being disassembled, he said the words, “I’m sad to see it go — but I always knew the
The site of the Quartz Hill Airport today.
flight operations to San Fernando, Mojave, Agua Dulce and Fox Airfield, but he called Quartz Hill Airport home. He moved into a mobile home on the property with his wife Vivian, where they would put in what was called an “airport day,”
Courtesy photograph
Courtesy photograph
See QUARTZ HILL, Page 9
Doc Burch
The only remaining indication that an airport was ever here: the run up pad at the end of the southwest end of the runway.
Courtesy photograph
Doc was a country and western singer, and was very active in politics. Of the many records he recorded, this one still passes the test of time! He was good friends with Glen Campbell and many other stars of that era.
Courtesy photograph
8 Aerotech News and Review January 19, 2018 www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview