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Taking off from your backyard

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Jeffrey Dill

Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Pleasant view, TN

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 4:35 am Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

I am dreaming about a two year plan of relocating to near Hendersonville, TN and either living at an airpark, or simply buying a house on a wheat field or pasture and taking off from my backyard. The airpark guys want to sell me a lot at a tremendous mark-up and justify it by all the red tape required to build even a small airport these days. But I see a distinction between building an airport and taking off from your backyard. I have learned that the determining factor is less the FAA and more local government ordinances. Here is my question, who should I ask or where should I look to find out if a property would allow me to do this?

_________________
Jeff Dill
Model 2

Fox5flyer
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:43 am Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Jeff, you would probably be better off to buy a 20 or 40 acre piece and put 

your own runway in, the bigger piece the better.  Don't say a word to 

anyone.  Just do it.  I put a hangar and intersecting runways in nearly 20 

years ago on my 80 acre farm and nobody has ever said a word.  If you start 

asking questions people will start to dig and the first thing you know 

somebody will object for whatever reasons they can think up and I'm sure you 

can figure out where that will go.  As the old saying goes, "If you can't 

stand the answer, don't ask the question".  Just do it.

FWIW

Deke



---

wannafly

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 53

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:54 am Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Hi Jeff

  

 Thats a great idea. Not sure about the US but here in Canada you buy the land...invite all the neigboers over for a BBQ...have your Kitfox visible and let them ask questions...offer rides when you get your runway built and 99% will not object and away you go. Have a yearly get together with your new friends so they see how much fun you are having flying and invite more flying friends with there planes and soon you have neigboers who love to watch the planes come and go and can attach a face and a friend to aviation. Don't do any barnstorming or stupid stunts over there homes  and evryone is happy. After about 5 years you apply for permanent landing status and put your strip on the map and it is official. No problem...

  

 mic

 

 	  Quote: 	
		   Subject: Taking off from your backyard

 From: 1dillfamily(at)comcast.net

 Date: Wed C 15 Jul 2009 05:35:40 -0700

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Jeffrey Dill" <1dillfamily(at)comcast.net>

 

 I am dreaming about a two year plan of relocating to near Hendersonville C TN and either living at an airpark C or simply buying a house on a wheat field or pasture and taking off from my backyard. The airpark guys want to sell me a lot at a tremendous mark-up and justify it by all the red tape required to build even a small airport these days. But I see a distinction between building an airport and taking off from your backyard. I have learned that the determining factor is less the FAA and more local government ordinances. Here is my question C who should I ask or where should I look to find out if a property would allow me to do this?

 

 --------

 Jeff Dill

 Model 2

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=253107#253107

 

 

 

 

======================

&gt==================
	


[quote] 

 

 

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Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 6:27 am Post subject: Re: Taking off from your backyard

There are cities and counties that have rules against  "Airports".  I would check with them before buying property I intended to make a landing strip on.



If you have it put on the sectional chart then it is more difficult for someone to shut it down later on.

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

Fox5flyer
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 7:41 am Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Good advice before plonking down money, but I would ask around the local 

airports before I'd go to the authorities with any questions about it.  That 

might make it come at their next meeting and if there wasn't a rule before, 

there might be one soon.  I'm sure it varies state to state, county to 

county, and town to town.  I know I'm sounding cynical, but I sure wouldn't 

want it brought up in any meetings.

Deke



---

Paul A. Franz, P.E.

Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 280
Location: Bellevue WA

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:20 am Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

On Wed, July 15, 2009 5:35 am, Jeffrey Dill wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I am dreaming about a two year plan of relocating to near Hendersonville, TN and

 either living at an airpark, or simply buying a house on a wheat field or pasture and

 taking off from my backyard. The airpark guys want to sell me a lot at a tremendous

 mark-up and justify it by all the red tape required to build even a small airport

 these days.


	


Certainly a bit of truth to that. Often an environmental impact statement is inescapable.



 	  Quote: 	
		   But I see a distinction between building an airport and taking off from

 your backyard. I have learned that the determining factor is less the FAA and more

 local government ordinances. Here is my question, who should I ask or where should I

 look to find out if a property would allow me to do this?


	


I've actually gotten interested in this myself. It turns out that it is entirely

subjective, that is are the neighbors going to complain? So select a property with no

neighbors, such as a national park or national forest and physical barriers adjacent

to the property such as a river that would separate you from possible complainers. If

growth puts houses in your neighborhood, you can expect zoning enforcement. If it is

not already specifically disapproved you might be able to get your strip designated as

a private use airstrip by your state aeronautics commission without too much trouble.

That was simple to accomplish on a large wheat farm in Eastern Washington. But no

neighbors for miles and they too had airstrips.

-- 

Paul A. Franz

Registration/Aircraft - N14UW/Merlin GT

Engine/Prop - Rotax 914/NSI CAP

Bellevue WA



Pennies do not come from heaven. They have to be earned here on earth.

-- Margaret Thatcher



"I am commonly opposed to those who modestly assume the rank of

champions of liberty, and make a very patriotic noise about the people.

It is the stale artifice which has duped the world a thousand times,

and yet, though detected, it is still successful."

-- Fisher Ames, letter to George Richard Minot, 23 June 1789



"Thomas Jefferson told us 'having a revolution every now and then

is a good thing,' and the people -- we the people -- are going to

have to fight back hard if we're not going to lose our country."

-- Rep. Michele Bachman (R-MN)



Democracy shows not only its power in reforming governments, but in

regenerating a race of men and this is the greatest blessing of free

governments.

-- Andrew Jackson



"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that

of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others,

who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and

skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of

association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his

industry and the fruits acquired by it."

-- Thomas Jefferson

_________________
Paul A. Franz, P.E.
Registration/Aircraft - N14UW/Merlin GT
Engine/Prop - Rotax 914/NSI CAP
Bellevue WA
425.241.1618 Cell
425.440.9505 Office

rjdaugh

Joined: 30 Aug 2006
Posts: 195

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:45 am Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Good advice Mic.  

   

I have been flying from my land for about 6 years.  I have given rides to most neighbors.  Still need to meet one of them.  Maybe a BBQ is the way to go.  

   

Randy  

         

  

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of mic thiessen

 Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 7:51 AM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: Taking off from your backyard  

  

   

Hi Jeff

  

 Thats a great idea. Not sure about the US but here in Canada you buy the land...invite all the neigboers over for a BBQ...have your Kitfox visible and let them ask questions...offer rides when you get your runway built and 99% will not object and away you go. Have a yearly get together with your new friends so they see how much fun you are having flying and invite more flying friends with there planes and soon you have neigboers who love to watch the planes come and go and can attach a face and a friend to aviation. Don't do any barnstorming or stupid stunts over there homes  and evryone is happy. After about 5 years you apply for permanent landing status and put your strip on the map and it is official. No problem...

  

 mic

  

 > Subject: Taking off from your backyard

 > From: 1dillfamily(at)comcast.net

 > Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:35:40 -0700

 > To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 > 

 > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Jeffrey Dill" <1dillfamily(at)comcast.net>

 > 

 > I am dreaming about a two year plan of relocating to near Hendersonville, TN and either living at an airpark, or simply buying a house on a wheat field or pasture and taking off from my backyard. The airpark guys want to sell me a lot at a tremendous mark-up and justify it by all the red tape required to build even a small airport these days. But I see a distinction between building an airport and taking off from your backyard. I have learned that the determining factor is less the FAA and more local government ordinances. Here is my question, who should I ask or where should I look to find out if a property would allow me to do this?

 > 

 > --------

 > Jeff Dill

 > Model 2

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > Read this topic online here:

 > 

 > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=253107#253107

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 >======================

 >==================

 > 

 > 

 >       

  

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_________________
Randy
Kitfox 5/7 912S
Black Hills, South Dakota

wannafly

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 53

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:01 pm Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Randy

  

 The BBQ sure works for us. We started out with maybe 10 people and 1 aircraft 6 years ago. grew to 30 plus and 10 aircraft about 3 years ago. Switched to a breakfast on saturday morning(supper was costing to much) and last year we had 100 plus people and close to 25 aircraft. The neighboers have started to invite there city friends for the event.

 We may have to have a regional show soon.LOL

 

  From: rjdaugh(at)rapidnet.com

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: Taking off from your backyard

Date: Wed C 15 Jul 2009 12:42:30 -0600



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Good advice Mic. 

  

I have been flying from my land for about 6 years.  I have given rides to most neighbors.  Still need to meet one of them.  Maybe a BBQ is the way to go. 

  

Randy 

     

 

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of mic thiessen

Sent: Wednesday C July 15 C 2009 7:51 AM

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: Taking off from your backyard

 

  

Hi Jeff

 

Thats a great idea. Not sure about the US but here in Canada you buy the land...invite all the neigboers over for a BBQ...have your Kitfox visible and let them ask questions...offer rides when you get your runway built and 99% will not object and away you go. Have a yearly get together with your new friends so they see how much fun you are having flying and invite more flying friends with there planes and soon you have neigboers who love to watch the planes come and go and can attach a face and a friend to aviation. Don't do any barnstorming or stupid stunts over there homes  and evryone is happy. After about 5 years you apply for permanent landing status and put your strip on the map and it is official. No problem...

 

mic

 

 	  Quote: 	
		   Subject: Kitfox-List: Taking off from your backyard

 From: 1dillfamily(at)comcast.net

 Date: Wed C 15 Jul 2009 05:35:40 -0700

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Jeffrey Dill" <1dillfamily(at)comcast.net>

 

 I am dreaming about a two year plan of relocating to near Hendersonville C TN and either living at an airpark C or simply buying a house on a wheat field or pasture and taking off from my backyard. The airpark guys want to sell me a lot at a tremendous mark-up and justify it by all the red tape required to build even a small airport these days. But I see a distinction between building an airport and taking off from your backyard. I have learned that the determining factor is less the FAA and more local government ordinances. Here is my question C who should I ask or where should I look to find out if a property would allow me to do this?

 

 --------

 Jeff Dill

 Model 2

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=253107#253107

 

 

 

 

======================

==================

 

 

    

 
	


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KeysFox

Joined: 05 Jan 2009
Posts: 137

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

 	  Quote: 	
		   Jeff

Lots of good advice so far. Check with the GA office of your state
	


aviation administration. That office is usually very GA friendly and knows

a good deal about how local jurisdictions handle private personal use

strips. One county nearby had a pilot as county commissioner who got

zoning language specifically approving personal use strips in agridultural

and combined Ag-residential. Others allow private strips as a "permitted"

conditional use with conditions dependent on neighbors comments during

public proceedings. In very rural areas there are a lot of private strips

that operate without formal approvals, usually without nearby neighbors

who might squawk, and where the strip is owned by the pilot or their

family. Being friends with your neighbors is a big deal.



As an aside I was circling over a group of kids in a tree lined back yard

at about 500 feet and the kids did not hear the powered back Kitfox until

a flash of reflected sunlight caught my son's attention and he looked up.

Ever since that time there has been a running joke among the kids about

the Kitfox being a CIA SPY plane. The take away message is that some

planes are not much of a noise nusance.



Good Luck! Have fun.



BJ

Kitfox IV

912 Rotax

443-480-1023



 Kitfox-List message posted by: "Jeffrey Dill"

 	  Quote: 	
		   <1dillfamily(at)comcast.net>



 I am dreaming about a two year plan of relocating to near Hendersonville,

 TN and either living at an airpark, or simply buying a house on a wheat

 field or pasture and taking off from my backyard. The airpark guys want to

 sell me a lot at a tremendous mark-up and justify it by all the red tape

 required to build even a small airport these days. But I see a distinction

 between building an airport and taking off from your backyard. I have

 learned that the determining factor is less the FAA and more local

 government ordinances. Here is my question, who should I ask or where

 should I look to find out if a property would allow me to do this?



 --------

 Jeff Dill

 Model 2





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 53107#253107

_________________
B Jones
N154K
443-480-1023

jjprobasco(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Jeff, 

I established my own airport.  Here's what I did: 

1.  Identify a piece of land that you can afford and has the physical characteristics needed for an airstrip. 

2.  Study the ordinances regarding airports for the municipality.  Decide if you think you meet the requirements or if you will need to request a use variance.  In my case the ordinances were poorly written and conflicting.  This was the openi where my latrer request for a variance was judged favorably. 

3.  Contact the state DOT Aeronautics division for state requirements for a private individual airport.  There's probably a website with all the information and request forms.  State DOT is primarily interested in safe airport configuration. 

4.  Check out the FAA website for notice of proposed airport and airspace reservations.   Primarily the Feds will be mostly interested in the airport location for purposes of airspace reservation and minimizing conflicts with other nearby airports. 

5.  If the project looks like it might just work, make an offer for the land contingent on approvals for the airstrip.  The owner can help for local approvals since it is in his interest to conclude the sale.  Plan three months for application and approvals. 

6.  Enter applications for the municipality, state DOT and FAA.  I found the most difficult part was interpreting the rules and sketching out a conforming layout for the airstrip on the attachments to the applications.  Follow your nose a bit here. You will likely find someone at each level that is willing to help through the paper work.  In my case, The Penn. DOT Division of Aeronautics was very helpful in making sure I got the state and federal applications right.  If you need a local use variance, you can represent yourself at the planning board meeting.  I gave a short presentation of my plans and answered any questions.  Most of the people who came to the meeting were just curious.  Some wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be flying big noisy airplanes that would scare their cows, or wouldn't be be buzzing the church on Sundays.  They took me at my word.  

7.  Close the property purchase when all the initial approvals are obtained. 

8.  Construct the airstrip within the time allowed by the airspace reservation.  The scary part was not being sure if I could complete the construction on time.  This fear was relieved when I later filed for an extension. 

9.  Obtain Final inspection from the state DOT and notify FAA of the completed airport.  

  

The fun part is knowing that I was able follow all the rules and create a legal "backyard" airstrip for my future Kit Fox without the help or expense of legal council, etc.  It shows there are still some freedoms to be enjoyed in the US! 

  

Jeff Probasco 

Model 5 under construction 

EA81, CAP 

  

  

  

  

  

 

---

Ken Potter

Joined: 18 Aug 2007
Posts: 85
Location: Lanark, Ontario

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: Taking off from your backyard

Wow,  I can't believe the "red tape" involved in putting in an airfield in the US.  Here in Canada the Feds have exclusive jurisdiction over airports (including private) as upheld by the Supreme Court.  A municipality cannot interfere, restrict zoning etc.,  including inspections of hangers by the building inspector.   But the comments about neighbors are right on the mark.  You have to maintain good relations with the neighbors and I really like the BBQ idea once I get my private field up and running some day.



Cheers

Ken

_________________
Ken Potter
Model II, No. 483
Rotax 582, C-Box,
99% Complete
C-FJKP
Lanark, Ontario

Jeffrey Dill

Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Pleasant view, TN

Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 7:21 am Post subject: Re: Taking off from your backyard

Wow, I had forgotten that I had posted this. In 2010 I put a deposit on a 10 acre tract and entered the due-diligence phase. I hired a lawyer to the tune of $700 to tell me what I already knew, there were no ordinances in that county. Not so for nearby county. 

    Meanwhile there was a very nice home next to an established Airpark, 6TN1. The lot had been subdivided as part of the airport, but they were not flyers. The hubby was in jail and it needed to sell. Recall the market at the time, I knocked off 90K from the already low 2009 asking price ( I had already looked at it). Lost a little earnest money on the other lot. I bought a bulldozer and knocked down the trees in my way to the runway and have lived happily ever after. We cook a pig once a year, have 3 or 4 bonfires to satisfy the resident pyros.



Right now I am looking for anybody in the area with a classic 4 that is flying. A friend is thinking about buying one.



Check out these if you are bored:



weakleysfield.com



or youtube search, keywords "flying", "pleasant view, TN"

_________________
Jeff Dill
Model 2

uuccio(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:24 pm Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Living the dream! 



I tried to check out the website you posted but it returned an error message

(403 error).



Sacha



--

uuccio(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:48 pm Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Jeff, 

Living the dream!  In Europe it's practically impossible to do that...

I tried to check out the website you posted but it returned an error message

(403 error).

Sacha



--

Jeffrey Dill

Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 52
Location: Pleasant view, TN

Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 4:18 am Post subject: Re: Taking off from your backyard

Not sure why you had trouble. I will email the link to you.

http://weakleysfield.com/

_________________
Jeff Dill
Model 2

uuccio(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 4:49 am Post subject: Taking off from your backyard

Thanks it works now...



On Sep 20, 2013, at 14:18, "Jeffrey Dill" <1dillfamily(at)gmail.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Not sure why you had trouble. I will email the link to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 http://weakleysfield.com/

 

 --------

 Jeff Dill

 Model 2

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=408890#408890

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