Building a private airstrip.

[dholly]

Do you have a private airstrip? I am curious about the feasibility of building and maintaining a private use grass airstrip on personal property. The FAA regulations appear to be much less of an issue than the state and local environmental, noise and special use requirements... which look as if they may have the potential to turn into an extended uphill battle. Would appreciate your input, if you've got some specific insight or experience to share. Thanks.

 

[riptides]

I live down the road from one. They have a limited 5 year use plan, and a ton of county rules to follow. Currently they are trying to make their use plan more permanent. So they are up against the planning commission, and eventually BOS.

The process seems to follow the normal "public hearing" procedures that the county has laid out.

I guess depending on your county and the community around you, your hassle meter could be pegged. IMHO.

They have been private for over 50 years. So I guess the process and procedures must be somewhat palatable for them.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[theonlybull]

my father's got a heli pad, and friends of his have private air strips. around here, there's no regulations governing them (nova scotia)

the best is to do some non-commitive searching and find out about your area. are you near any airdromes? any towns, cities, or controled areas ?

you can build a long smooth feild just about anywhere, and if your only landing there occasionaly, it might not be a big deal.... 5-6 aircraft a day will be a different story

 

[dholly]

Thanks, I have a pretty good idea about what is required by state and local authorities in my area to build new, the problem of course is whether or not the powers that will sign off on them. And then, naturally, there's always the concerned NIMBY neighbors. I get the feeling that may be a uphill battle, and I hate to purchase land only to find I can't do what I want. So, I'm also pursuing another slightly different approach... purchase of land with an existing private use airstrip.

 

[Pilot]

Are there any residential airparks in your area? We have a few and the folks there really enjoy them--there is a nice community feeling at each of them. Lot size ranges from 11,000 sq. ft. at on of them to 2 acres at another. and somewhere in between at the rest. The individual lot owners don't have the hassle and liability of owning the airstrip--I have heard that maintaining a grass strip isn't as easy as it might seem.

 

[dholly]

Nope, no residential airparks around here, though I alway thought that a very interesting community idea. Have friends whose folks absolutely love it. The small private strip used by the area ultrlight club and a handful of GA guys was bought up by the ajoining auto dealer recently. Now my local airport options are 20mi. away.