The Living With Your Plane directory of airparks is now open to all visitors. A recent data verification mailing produced a great many updated. If you see any out-of-date data on your airpark, please email Ben Sclair (and be as specific as you can). Thanks, and happy browsing.

Burnsville, N.C. – Mountain Air is both an airpark and a golf community. For that reason, Golf Club Business, turned their spotlight on the Blue Ridge Mountain airpark. From the story…

“Mountain Air was recently named “Community of the Year” in the Large Mixed Use category (referring to single family lots, as well as condominiums and townhomes) by the North Carolina Chapter Community Associations Institute.”

Swing by Golf Club Business to read more about Mountain Air. Thanks to Jens Torell for pointing out the story.

The North Idaho Business Journal profiled SilverWing at Sandpoint in a story posted to its website September 25. Click here to read more.

Last week, Jeanne Allen asked for some feedback regarding airpark use of “Neighborhood Watch.”

From Randall Burdette, Director, Virginia Department of Aviation…

“We use neighborhood watch at Dogwood Air Park (VA42) in Fredericksburg VA. It is a good program for us. I think every neighborhood can make it what they need. For us, it is a neighborhood watch sign at the entrance of our neighborhood (along with a no trespassing sign), occasionally an update from the County Sherriff’s Department, a better informed community on who to call when you see something suspicious and a better relationship with our local law enforcement team. Continue Reading

Jeanne Allen from Colorado emailed asking about “neighborhood watch” programs. She asks…

…our air park is in a rural community in Colorado and we are considering signing up for a neighborhood watch type program sponsored by the local county sheriff. They call their program Ranch Watch which encompasses the ranches and subdivisions in the county. I would be interested in knowing if any other air park participates in something like this and what their signage says.

Feedback anyone? Reply in the comments section of the website or send me an email.

BOERNE, Texas – Threshold Ranch Airpark announced the availability of a limited number of residential lots with adjacent taxiways on Boerne Stage Airfield. Threshold Ranch combines the amenities of suburban living with airpark lifestyle and convenience. Located in northwest San Antonio, and near the Texas Hill Country town of Boerne, the development offers aircraft owners and pilots access to activities nearby and across the country.

Continue Reading

The comment period on the FAA’s “Policy Regarding Access to Airports from Residential Property” (rTTF) has been extended to September 14, 2012. From the proposed rules summary, “This action proposes a policy, based on Federal law, concerning through-the-fence access to a federally obligated airport from an adjacent or nearby property, when that property is used as a residence.”

FAA’s proposed rule can be read at regulations.gov. So far, 18 people have commented on the proposed policy. You can submit your comment here or read the comments already submitted.

Brent Blue, founder of ThoughTheFence.org, is a leading advocate for rTTF access at federally-obligated airports. His comments can be read at the above noted link or on his website, ThroughTheFence.org. Among Brent’s comments…

FAA policy document: “‘Extend an access’ is defined as an airport sponsor’s consent to renew or extend an existing right to access the airport from residential property or property zoned for residential use, for a specific duration of time, not to exceed 20 years.”

Brent’s comment: “This is also a violation of the spirit and intent of the law.  There is nothing in the legislation which limits the duration of an airport sponsor’s contractual commitment to rTTF access holders.  In fact, it does the opposite by stating in 136 of P.L. 112-95 specifically ‘Applicability—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to an agreement between an airport sponsor and a property owner (or an association representing such property owner) entered into before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.’”

A story on the Wichita Eagle website spotlight’s Stearman Field in nearby Benton. Owned and managed by Dwayne and Julie Clemens, Stearman Field became a “happening” spot with the addition of the Stearman Field Bar and Grill. From the story…

“All 40 lots slated for condominium-hangars have been sold. Twenty condo-hangars, essentially apartments inside a large hangar, have been built. Twenty-seven houses line the west side of the runway. Some were built more than 20 years ago. Fifteen lots, offered through Stearman Estates Development Co., are still available for sale.”

Thanks to Jen Torell for sending in the story link.