Any pilots live on an airpark?
 

I'm thinking about what it would be like to own a plane that's garaged at my home. An airpark type setup, where I'd taxi out to the grass or strip and blast off. If anyone has some advice or actually lives on one, I'm all ears!

Thanks-

TM

Tech, if an airpark is like a trailer park, I don't think you should live there. I've heard nasty things about them. They even have their own Olympics with the marqee event being hubcap throwing.

I don't own a plane, so I've taken up knitting. Knit, purl, knit, purl. ;)

Big Question.
I live at Leeward Air Ranch in Ocala, FL.
6,200 foot beautiful grass runway.
165 or so homes currently, can probably buildout another 75-100 homes.
All private aircraft (probably between 300-400 aircraft based here) and operations, no FBO here which for me works very well.
I own a Cherokee 180C, R22 Beta II Helicopter, and fly a DC8 for UPS, and this place really works for me!!!
What kind of real info are you looking for. It's the best place I've ever lived!!!

jabr800

I knew a guy who lived at an airpark, only it wasn't a "fly-in community." He literally lived in his hangar on the far side of the airport. It's a fine line between just hanging out there all the time, then adding a fridge, couch, tv....finally he just built a little apartment for himself up in the rafters. No one seemed to care and he managed to not make it look too "lived-in" for fire inspection code day. He lived there with his airplane, cars, motorcycle...

To my impoverished CFI self it seemed like he had it made. The only thing was he had to wander a few hangars down to the bathroom, and I have no idea where he showered, but hey.

Back to the actual topic: here's a few cool fly-in communities in Florida: http://www.trade-a-plane.com/classif...s=100&state=FL

So let me ask you this do you fly your cherokee to work? I'm guessing your domicile is in Miami so that seems like it would make the commute a little more bearable...

I'm originally from Florida and I can't wait to get back there. After the military I'd like to eventually fly for UPS out of Miami or Southwest out of Orlando and always thought about buying a plane one day and using it to commute.

I'm thinking more like a house on the water with a Lakes Craft out back on a lift though.:D

http://www.brasildasaguas.com.br/margi/fotosnew/587.jpg

Leeward Air Ranch is probably one of the best fly in airstrips you will ever see...

Leeward is the bomb :) Thanks for that info. Cool life you have, a Robinson, Cherokee, and a DC8 (if that could land on 6,200 ft :). Once (if ever?) I make captain, I'm going to look more into Leeward, looks like a great life down there..... thanks again jabr800!

To Tech Maven,

Nope, don't fly the Cherokee to work. I
'm based in KSDF like about 60% of the pilots, and I only bid schedules that have commercial tickets on both ends, therefore, when I go to work, I'm on the payroll that day, not sweating about going in a day early and getting bumped! I commercial in and out of KMCO.
KMIA may be in the cards for me somewhere down the road, however I'm quite loyal to the DC8 (21 years on the bird!).
Your idea of the "Lake" on the water is great. Sometimes not always as practical as you might want to believe for commuting purposes! There are some opportunities around Florida for what you are describing, but I'm not well versed in those areas!
Good luck.

jabr800

thanks, jabr! Enjoy your great life :)

My Grandpa had a runway in his backyard. Not an airpark though, just my Granparents. Had twelve acres with the runway, a hanger and an outbuilding behind the hanger for parts, etc. Kept his Waco's, a Chief and a Monoprep there. Had to keep his Howard at another strip with a longer runway. Anyway, it was neat and all, but he was sure glad when I got long enough to reach the pedals on the tractor (which I did when I was 10). I logged LOTS of time on an Allis Chalmers before upgrading and getting typed on a new John Deere. Point is, having a runway in the backyard can mean LOTS of mowing - it almost never ends. I am not sure how the airparks accomplish this but I think I would pass on the idea of living at an airpark that required me to mow.

StinsonJr has a good point.
At Leeward, the mowing and rolling of the runway to keep it smooth, are done by the developer, as has been the case for over 20 years.
Most airparks I've encountered with grass runways, seem to have a similar arrangement, or at least something where the homeowners aren't directly involved!.

jabr800

I live on a runway.. and do all the mowing. It's good therapy - gets me some fresh air and thinking time - both rare commodities when you live in a crashpad.

Can you tell me what the HOA dues are, If any?

Homeowners dues, which is really a use of runway fee for each lot or house that you own (I have a home and a separate lot), have slowly climbed to somewhere between $250-$300 per year. Note that I said YEAR.
We have a really good deal going.
It's to the benefit of the developer to keep things nice, and not charge folks so much, that things fall apart, or he creates some sort of revolt.
The fee also covers the runway lights which are pilot activated!
For your info, our runway at Leeward is 6,200 feet by 165 feet with clear approaches and overuns.
Ocassionally, we encounter an additional assesment per property for things like street repairs, remodel the front gate to the Air Ranch, repaint the clubhouse, etc.. Typically these amount to maybe $50-$200 every 3-5 years.

jabr800

My inlaws live in an aviation community up in the lakes region of NH. I have posted some pics on here before I believe. It is NH69 a 4000'X225' grass strip in excellent shape. The residents there pay dues and that goes to the maintenance of the grounds. My father in law happens to have the contract to maintain and involves regular mowing and aerating and seeding and rolling and plowing in the winter as well as keeping the field in general shape all around. I fly up there very frequently and they have a fly in once per year that the residents put on. It is a great time and a great place to live.