Living with your airplane part 1: Home strip
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Living with your airplane part 1: Home strip
I have often dreamt of living with my airplane; being able to launch into a beautiful sky by merely walking out my back door is as romantic as it gets.
First, only a very small group of us get to experience aviation this way. Most of use either don’t have the land or its unsuitable for your airplane. My personal situation is limited. I would need a STOL aircraft to keep an airplane at home; something that I endeavor to acquire some day. I have about 800′ of flat horse pasture that could be utilized.
It isn’t all roses though. I have spoken to several folks that own private strips and the upkeep isn’t insignificant. There is mowing, seeding, drainage, and rolling – depending on what part of the country you live in. If you are worried about liability then don’t forget the insurance as well.
I still feel like this would be well worth the effort. Or maybe the best situation is to have a neighbor with a grass strip! The savings on hangar rent and gas driving to the airport could help offset any additional expenses as well.
Having your pilot buddies over to the house would take on a whole new look as an impromptu fly-in ensues. And there is no doubt I would fly more not having to make a 25 minute hike to-and-from the airport each time I wanted to commit aviation.
I promise, if I move from my current residence, this will definitely factor that into the new hacienda.
Next edition we’ll discuss residential air parks for a full-immersion experience.
by Brent
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I do believe that the further you drive to get to the airport, then this dream is strong. I live 12 miles from the airport where my plane is hangared. It takes 15 minutes to get there. To me, that is not bad. Selling airport property is probably not an easy thing to do as you mention that only a small number of people do this living on the airport thing.
Glenn,
Good point. I hadn’t thought of it that way.
Brent
It seems like many people with grass strips fly less (and groundskeep more), but they tend to get lots of very neat visitors.
Bob,
That’s true. A friend of mine said he mowed more hours than he flew, but it was worth it.
Brent
One of my goals is to live at an airpark sometime in my life.
Ben,
That’s a great goal!
Brent
I have lived at my own airport for over 40 yrs. I am not flying now, but there is nothing to compare to coming home from work, checking in with wife and kids, then “going round the patch” prior to supper. Now I am giving it all up. But my son is going to keep the plane at the airport he works at, just two miles from his home. We have our place for sale, 26IN. It will sell just as House in country if someone does not want the airstrip.
About mowing, not so bad with good equipment. Having kids helps too!
Mike,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Good stuff!
Brent