If you build it...

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Gone Flyin

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Gone Flyin
Interested in hearing from anyone who has been able to create a private airfield on property they own in the US. Especially in the Northeast area.

How hard was it to get past the local authorities?

How much land did it require (to get it passed)?

Anything else you can offer up.

My understanding is, unless it is in a Class B, C or D airspace, the FAA has nothing to do with it unless you want to get listed in their system with the protections that might come from that.... power lines, etc.

Thanks much.
 
I did. First, don't tell ANYONE what you are doing. If anyone asks, tell them you're a golfer and you are building a driving range. In my area (Michigan), there is no minimum requirement for property or length. Local ordinances are the worst to deal with, in my experience. The state just required you notified them that you had an airfield, with a plot plan, etc. That part was easy.

Once the neighbors realize what you are doing, expect it to look like a scene from Frankenstein...all torches and pitchforks. My airfield didn't have a house around it (other than mine) for a mile, but I bet 50 people showed up at the first township board meeting after I opened mine, saying I was a menace. Have an attorney on standby. The local township tried (unsuccessfully) to prohibit my airfield AFTER I was using it. Quite frankly, I wouldn't do it again...very stressful.
 
My brother in law did it in central NY (near Utica). His land was zoned agricultural, which allows airstrips. Despite that and the fact that one of his neighbors also had a strip, the corrupt town council also tried to retroactively (and illegally) change the zoning regulations to prohibit it after he was already flying there... also unsuccessfully, but it was a huge hassle and expense for him. One neighbor lady claimed she was "terrorized" by the low flying plane, but he ended up making friends with her after explaining what he was doing, and she's OK with it now.
 
Dana said:
One neighbor lady claimed she was "terrorized" by the low flying plane, but he ended up making friends with her after explaining what he was doing, and she's OK with it now.
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The explanation: Just trying to cure your hiccups, ma'am.

Here is how I would approach the situation, other than physically improving the landing strip:
  1. Federal law says where you can fly a plane. Try hard to find a place to set up your strip that will keep you 500 feet from people, cars, buildings, and the more nervous livestock your neighbors may have. You are going to have to make the occasional low pass without landing. Someone will eventually complain about it. If you have never been within 500 feet of anyone except for the purpose of actual takeoffs and landings, those complaints are less likely to go anywhere.
  2. State law may say where you can take off and land. Local laws may also apply to those operations. Check into that and decide if you even need an officially-recognized airport or just a flat, grassy strip aligned with the prevailing wind.
  3. State law may also provide rules for building private airports. Local law is more likely to fill in blanks, such as a county or township zoning ordinance.
 
Following for dreams of building an airpark.
 
Racerx said:
Buy C81 for me and make it happen.
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What is hangar rental? My back of napkin math says it would be real tough to make that airport work as is.
 
Put up a sign on the property of the planned runway that says, ''Future Site For Public Housing''.

And put up this picture:

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The neighbors will be so relieved to find out that you are not building the projects but only a private runway...
 
4RNB said:
What is hangar rental? My back of napkin math says it would be real tough to make that airport work as is.
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Oh, at the 8 million ask there's no way the numbers can work. But hangar rent is 650.

In seriousness I've had this grandiose idea of building a kitfox or a highlander and landing it iny neighbors alfalfa field. Realistically it's probably too short and the houses would be an issue. The old garbage dump across the street that was decommissioned in the 70's would be a better option...if it didn't settle 10' in random spots over night.
 
Looking in areas where there is an existing private airfield thinking if they let one do it, they might allow another. The world did not end the first go around.

Another idea is possibly leasing space from a farmer. A few strips I've seen, as was also mentioned above, are on farms. They've already done the work of leveling the land and they might also be able to smooth things over with their neighbors. Times being what they are, they might want the extra $$ if it does not become a hassle for them.
 
Interestingly, Vermont has some 65 private airstrips registered with the state. Only a few are listed with the FAA.... this is not a requirement but can help you later on.

The former head of what was called the "Dept. of Aeronautics" was apparently keen on private strips based on some of the material I've read from years ago. He was a private pilot and used to fly to them himself and inspect them. So far, I have not even been able to get the current administrator to answer my queries.

I've seen strips there just a few hundred feet from schools, so the requirements cannot be that strict.

What would be cool is to have a system like they have in, say Idaho, but here in the Northeast. Grass strips all over the place, free to use, with various amenities... or none at all.

Pilots could hop from strip to strip. STOLports they're called. Maybe 1500' long so not for the faint of heart.
 
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