Our Northern California Adventure Started at the Perfect Base Camp | Buchanan Field (KCCR)

We used Buchanan Field (KCCR) as our home base while exploring Northern California but it didn't take long to uncover a few surprises of its own. From Vietnam-era helicopters to a forgotten airway beacon arrow hidden in the hills, this adventure proved there was more to Concord than we expected. Join us on Patreon for candid airport debriefs, OTC Destination Guides and livestreams:   / outsidethecockpit   📍Airmail Arrow in Walnut Creek: https://maps.app.goo.gl/H3qcUa6DGkKJ9... If you're looking for more Airmail Arrows across America, check out this cool wesbite: https://www.dreamsmithphotos.com/arrow/ For that radio call mishap before taxiing we talking about:    • Hobby Airport (KHOU) | This MISTAKE On Dep...   TRANSIENT PARKING Transient parking is located on the southeast end of the airport (adjacent to PSA FBO and in front of Concord Plaza Hotel). Overnight parking is $5/night for single engine . FBO There are two FBOs on field: Concord Jet Center and Pacific States Aviation (PSA). Only one has 100LL fuel (PSA). PSA is located adjacent to transient parking at the southeast end of the airport. Basic amenities are available including crew cars and car rentals. You’ll find a pilot’s lounge with flight planning station and a conference room. Park yourself (don’t expect a lineman), check in at the front desk and request fuel and/or crew car as needed. This is a very no frills FBO. Fees are reasonable and may be reduced/waived with minimum fuel purchase. Breakdown of fees for our Piper Arrow III for MAY 2026 (8 Night Stay) $10 Tie Down Fee ($10/night x 7 nights fee waived with minimum fuel purchase) $518.55 Avgas (64.9 gallons @ $7.99/gal) $528.55 TOTAL FUEL Only full service fuel is available at this airport. Pacific States Aviation or Concord Jet can provide fuel as needed. If parking overnight with PSA or Concord Jet, overnight fees may be waived/reduced with minimum fuel purchase. We only ended up paying for one night of tie down fees at PSA with 65 gallons of fuel purchased throughout the week. RESTROOMS Restrooms are located within the FBO and the main Terminal Building. CREW CAR / RENTAL CARS / RIDESHARE Crew cars and/or rental cars are available through your FBO of choice. Rideshare is also an option. FOOD There is no food on field. There are fast food options within walking distance of the transient parking area. Grab a crew car and head south to Walnut Creek for some amazing food options. PLANESPOTTING Outdoor shaded picnic benches and tables, a small playground, bleacher seating and speaker with great views of the ramp and taxiways are located at the base of the air traffic control tower. Buchanan Field reminded us that some of aviation's most interesting stories aren't always found on the airport itself. Sometimes, they're just beyond the runway waiting to be discovered. And this was just the beginning... IG: /outsidethecockpit 🎵 Music by Epidemic Sound Get your free 7 day trial: High quality music for your content creations | Epidemic Sound DISCLAIMER: This video is NOT intended to be instructional. We are not CFIs. This video has been edited for brevity and clarity and is for informational purposes only. We are sharing our experience flying into this particular airport. Your experience may vary. When in doubt ask ATC and your CFI. #bayarea #generalaviation #northerncalifornia Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:39 METAR 02:03 Concord Naval Weapons Station 03:24 Cleared to Land KCCR 03:44 First Time at Buchanan Field 05:06 Shifting Winds at KCCR 06:04 Landing at Buchanan Field (32R) 06:55 Landing Taxi Instructions 07:48 Ground Taxi Instructions 09:05 Traffic at Buchanan Field 09:17 A Little Bit of History KCCR 10:00 Buchanan Field Today 10:57 IFR Clearance Call Out of KCCR 12:16 What We’re Doing Today 13:24 Pacific States Aviation (PSA) 13:42 Buchanan Field Planespotting Area 14:40 Passenger Terminal & ARFF 15:04 Vietnam Helicopters At KCCR 15:56 100-Year-Old Airmail Arrow 18:25 Doing This Hike Again! 19:31 Back To KCCR 19:50 Bay Area Series Preview 21:04 Taxiing to RWY 19R (Heading Home) 23:09 Northern California Series Airports 23:38 Our Members are AMZAZING! 25:02 Cleared for Take-Off (Tail Cam) 29:19 Frequency Change 29:50 Flight Following Request (Travis Departure)