Prospect Fly-In

On the 3rd weekend in July, Prospect holds it’s annual “Fly In” at the Eugene F. Burrill Memorial Airport (also known as the Prospect State Airport), which has a 4000 ft paved runway in the woods! Small planes from all over Oregon, California and other western states come to participate. There is a breakfast, a BBQ, games, music, raffles and fun. All proceeds benefit the Prospect Unit Jackson County Search and Rescue and help to make sure they have the gear and equipment they need.

The idea of building an airfield near the Upper Rogue town was born in 1953, but it didn’t materialize until Eugene F. Burrill inspired a group of volunteers. Burrill had brought his lumber company to Prospect in 1942. After leaving to serve in World War II, he and his wife Gladys returned to the town they had grown to love.

Burrill, an avid pilot himself, persuaded the Elk Lumber Co. to deed 30 acres of its timberland to the state and then the real work began. Timber was cleared just east of the Rogue River, about a half-mile southeast of town, and 10,000 yards of rock were hauled in to surface the 4,000-foot runway. It was a true community effort with loggers and others donating equipment, materials and a lot of labor.

The airport is often used by Mercy Flights Air Ambulance service, an organization supported by the Burrill family.

Come stay at the Crater Lake RV Park and take the 5 minute drive to the airport to check out the planes, talk to the pilots, eat some great food and support a worthy cause!