[TTFlyer]

2nd circling approach in IMC fatal accident at this airport in the last couple of months. Both aircraft crashed into populated areas. Might be some new restrictions coming to Gillespie Field.

[forgotten man]

I have noticed that many of the airplane crashes in that area involve an amateur pilot who is also a medical doctor.

[Myrddin]

I've flown out of Gillespie in a Cessna 150. Takeoff to the west requires a significant climb due to mountains covered with homes. Not my favorite airport for a departure. Inbound isn't much more enjoyable. High mountains east require a "base leg" that is 45 degrees paralleling the mountains before being able to turn final. Again, less than a desirable arrangement. I usually flew out of Brown field with destinations including Ramona, Imperial, Van Nuys and a small airstrip near Chiriaco Summit. The restaurant/gas station at Chiriaco Summit buys fresh dates and makes a great date shake.

As a San Diego local, I was very familiar with getting in and out of Gillespie. A visiting pilot on a faster moving Learjet has to make decisions a bit faster than a C150.

See the link for a satellite view of the field.

Here is a link to the terrain map to understand the geometry of base leg and crosswind (takeoff) turns.