Brackett Field Airport (KPOC)

This California gem offers great mountain views and airplane watching.

Look down on the city of Baldwin Park and Interstate 10 and pay homage to the original location of In-N-Out Burger chain that opened in 1948.

The precision approaches to Runway 28L are a thing of beauty taking you down to just of 300 feet above TDZ.

Even with the marine layer and urban smog drifting in from the west, Brackett rarely goes below landing minimums.

Smooth air will accompany you down the glide slope allowing for a relatively worry-free landing.

After touch down, taxi to transient parking on the south side of the field just behind the main terminal complex and the long blue awning.

The building contains a pilot shop, pilot’s lounge and Norm’s Hanger Coffee Shop, home of one of the best plane watching views anywhere.

For more than 25 years, Norm’s has offered American diner comfort food with a fantastic view of a fairly busy local strip.

Run by Norm’s daughter Kathy Touche since 2004, the coffee shop is an institution.

It has a lot going for it. First, patrons get to listen to Brackett Tower communicating with pilots over the restaurant sound system. Second, nearly every seat has a view of the action a few hundred feet away.

Third, breakfast is served all day.

Lunch, as with breakfast, abounds with choices.

Hot and Cold Sandwiches and Burgers ($4.50 - $8.25) are certainly plentiful, basically tasty yet come off as run-of-the mill.

Norm’s is rightfully known for its ample portions, large selection and reasonable prices. It does have its downfalls. Sandwiches can be a bit flabby and over sauced.

Even with the negatives, Norm’s is worth supporting.

The view of the San Gabriel Mountains from the awning-covered patio on a crisp midday afternoon, the camaraderie and the southern California hospitality are worth a trip.