Serving the Airport Community Since 1998
BRTA is a theme camp located at the Black Rock City Municipal Airport (located at point 5) since 1998. It provides a home for wayward pilot, airport volunteers, and those seeking a place to escape from the craziness and crowds of Black Rock City.
For others, it's a stopping point on a journey that may not take them where they want to go... but hopefully where they need to go.
BRTA's physical presence includes the Starport shade structure and observation deck, the Galley, and agents shade structures at their homes dotted about. . We host new and returning pilots, pilot and plane enthusiasts, art installations and more.
BRTA hosts events throughout the week. The most well known is the Ledgendary Saturday Afternoon Cocktail Party. There's also the Thursday morning Pancake Breakfast and the Tuesday afternoon Meet and Greet. Our “happy hour” FireFly bar is open in the afternoons and early evenings featuring live music, arial performances, guest lecturers and the like.
Contact
brta-leaders@groups.google.com
Location
Airport Blvd starts at the end of 5:00. Head out to Point Five at meet us at the Starport.
Open
ALL WEEK
Who we are
We share the ideals of volunteerism, events, arts, and debauchery. Some of us have been coming for 22 years, others for two. Pilots are overrepresented but not a large majority. We all contribute towards making the airport a healthy and vibrant community before, during, and after the burn.
Can I Join BRTA?
Maybe! It takes more then showing up to be an Agent. BRTA requires new members to be eager to get involved and help out, no drama and easy going, You must be sponsored by an existing agent and then approved by BRTA leadership. If you are ready to volunteer your time toward making the airport and BRTA a better place and know an existing agent who would sponsor you, we’d like to hear from you. Kick things off by filling out our 2024 Agent Signup Form. If you aren't sure about a sponsor, email us and we’ll try to set you up with one.
The galley serves fresh hot breakfast and dinner daily. Agents camp around the starport and enjoy the shade, drinks, and conversation that take place. Agents also enjoy access to a cleanup area.
We are here to serve the airport village and visitors, and to share our gifts we all must pitch in, in every way. Agents are expected to volunteer at least 3 shifts during the event. This can include setup, teardown, daily leave-no-trace MOOP sweeps through the airport area, galley kitchen (head chef, prep chef, or cleanup) or dining room (setup, serving, and cleanup), creating artwork, setting up lighting and sound, or other airport-camp-related kinds of things.
We don’t do any fundraising and as a result, all Agents regardless of attending are asked to contribute $60 per year toward off-season storage, repair of the structures and administrative costs to keep us solvent. Additional we ask for a cost share yearly for special events, including our Airport Meet and Greet, annual Saturday afternoon cocktail party and BBQ, and Thursday morning pancake breakfast. The Galley has its own cost sharing that covers the cost of food for the galley meals, as does our power grid. Any amount of additional contributions are welcome to replace some aging furniture and improve the galley infrastructure.
This season our contribution and cost share has been significantly reduced. Sign up and we’ll contact you with the appropriate cost structure.
You can always reach us at: HERE to confirm your place with the agency and with any other questions you may have. 😁
What about the Galley?
Yeah, We like to feed people but more importantly come together to share stories. The Galley started in the back of box truck, then we dug a trailer out of the weeds and continued to serve. Todays Galley is state of the playa, winning many accolades and on the BRC kitchen tour! The concept is to support the general aviation community that are limited to weight. We also like to feed the volunteers and staff at 88NV. We often have live music or guest speakers at the Galley cafe.
In addition to the 3 shifts doing food prep or cleanup, agents are asked to contribute $200. Add it up and you’ll find we got your tummy covered!
ARTS and Entertainment
An architect-designed Starport sits at the center of the Travel Agency and serves as the community center of the airport village. With a stage and sound system and concierge desk and bar, we welcome wayward travelers to explore themselves, the airport, and beyond.
Need help getting to where you need to go? Come see us! Or just kick your feet up and take a load off for a while.
Curious Beaver Bar
The Agency’s legendary Airpot Bar is open daily under the Starport from 4:00-7:00pm, after pilots are done gifting their scenic flights. Sometimes open to after sunset. Sometimes opens in the morning for coffee and treats. Feel free to bring alcohol and non alcohol or mixers to donate! And as always monetary donations can be made here!
Daily Starport Activities
The Starport hosts pilot briefings in the mornings, late afternoon bar, entertainment throughout the day, “concierge services," portrait and candid photography, and other surprises. Come by for the late night burn barrel and bring a cup for some herbal tea to sip with friends.
This is your platform for creativity! If you have idea for something you want to host—whether it’s yoga class, live painting, or a musical performance—please reach out to performance@blackrocktravelagency.com to schedule a time.
Special Events
Airport Meet and Greet & pasta feed (Tuesday 4-8pm) - All airport village residents and volunteers welcome! (Agents: come an hour early for our Agent meet and greet)
Stars at the Starport (Wednesday 8pm-midnight) - Black Rock Observatory will bring their telescopes and take us on a tour of the heavens! We’ll have a special playlist and maybe keep the bar open to us stargazers.
Fire conclave performance (Wednesday 8pm) - In the airport oval.
Pancake Breakfast (Thursday 8:00am) - More than pancakes! Come ‘n get it, until they run out!
Cocktail Party (Saturday 2-6pm) - Our big blowout cocktail party before the man burn, to finish off the rest of the alcohol. Come in your aviation-themed garb and help the pilots lighten their load!
Performances
Throughout the day into early evening, come by the Starport to enjoy musical artists, aerialists, and other performances. Cello Joe, St Terrible, King Dream, Stretch, General Mojo's, Prime Society, and Adventure Spin’d Landia are just some of the acts, More get scheduled every day! Come by Thursday and Friday mornings for smooth sounds in the morning. And Shouting Fire Radio will be broadcasting throughout the week.
We still have some performance slots open. If you’d like to perform, please reach out to performance@blackrocktravelagency.com
ART
The airport village is eager to welcome new artists and muralists every year. In collaboration with the airport logistics team, the Travel Agency has curated a set of new installations and experiences. Come by the concierge desk to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Airport Operations (unicom, etc) part of BRTA? Not anymore, although many of the people who participate in airport operations are also Agents.
Is the Airport Gate part of BRTA? No, although some of people who work there are Agents.
Are the air charter operations part of BRTA? No, although some of people who work with them are Agents.
Can I camp by the airport if I'm not part of BRTA? Maybe! We don’t actively recruit. Start by the survey listed above. Pilots can continue to camp under their wing. Fly-by-Nite is the only other theme camp at the Airport. Check the 88NV page for updates.
What can I do to help out? We’d love to meet you! Read the "Can I be a part of BRTA" page and fill out the New Agent Questionnaire. Or show up at the airport and ask what you can do to help.
Can you fly me to Burning Man from LA? I have always dreamed of flying in to Burning Man and only weigh 100 pounds. Heh.
How can I get someone to take me up in their plane to see BRC from the air? Pilots are mysterious creatures. Showing up at the airport and volunteering is no guarantee but it can't hurt.