The Cameron (Texas) Herald is reporting the approval of a preliminary plat for the Diamond K Airpark “to be located off F.M. 908 near Thorndale.”

“The nearly 20-acre subdivision, which plans show will include 11 lots for homes, a 1,462-foot grass runway and hangars, is being developed by Dean Krahn of Thorndale, and his brother Dave Krahn of Puyallup, Wash.”

We received the following from Bob Aronson:

“We own a 7000 foot runway as part of a closed military base. Do you have any links to qualified firms that can advise on the feasibility of an airpark? Thanks!”

Dave responded with:

I would contact BCRA Design, a large, multi-faceted engineering, design, planning firm. Email: jbrown@bcradesign.com or call 253-627-4367. Good luck and keep us posted on how your project develops. You can also search our resources listings.

Whitsunday Aviation Village Estate (WAVE) on Whitsunday Airport (Australia) will welcome its first resident, according to the Whitsunday Times.

“WAVE, which was opened with an air show in May, is the only residential air park of its kind in Australia and has succeeded in attracting residents from across Australia.”

Evans Head council in New South Wales, Australia, selected, “Evans Head Airpark Proprietary Limited … for its plan to build 60 luxury homes on the heritage-listed aerodrome site.” Read the complete story at ABC North Coast NSW.

The Northern Star is also reporting on the development at Evans Head Aerodrome. Grant Kenny, a former Olympian and co-owner of Australia’s largest privately-owned aviation fleet is behind the development.

The Bundaberg News-Mail (Australia) is reporting that Pressler Developments has sold out three phases of commercial lots (78 lots in all) of its Kensington Lakes airpark development, adjacent to the Bundaberg Airport. A fourth commercial phase is now open.

To encourage the residential side of the development, Pressler Developments is flying Pay and Lenny Ohlsson, from Florida’s Spruce Creek Fly-In to the July Wide Bay Australia International Airshow. Read the full story

We received the following from Andre Durocher / Pontiac Airpark:

I am building the Pontiac Airpark with a clubhouse, gym, sauna, pool, spa, tennis court, marina, golf holes. I would like to know if most of the airpark offer amenities like this. Thank you.

So… What type of amenities does your airpark include? Who paid for the creation of any amenities? Was it the developer, homeowners association or some other entity? How are these facilities maintained, both physically and financially? Does the airpark carry property and liability insurance on the amenities? Are there restrictions on the use, ie, can you bring non-resident family and friends on an unlimited basis?

Post your answers below. They can provide valuable background information for other airparks, as well as your own.

Is the any help out there for someone who wants to build a small airpark? I’d like to create one in Texas with with about four lots and a 2600 foot strip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Doug McGhee

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Does anyone have a set of airpark property owner’s association rules/bylaws they can share. I am in the process of buying a lot on a airpark that is under development and the property owner’s association will need to be formed and rules/bylaws written. The property owner’s association will own the common roads, common areas, and runway.

Jeffrey Letempt

Many states have laws governing property owners associations, Home owners associations, etc. These laws, depending on the state, may set requirements for establishing budgets, having audits of the books conducted, and specifying items that CANNOT be included in covenants. Make sure that if such a law exists in your state, that you have a copy of it and make sure your covenants are in compliance with the law.

Covenants and Corporate bylaws for the HOA (as a non-profit corporation) are two distinct documents. Covenants are the “rules to live by” and also tie the HOA as a non-profit corp to the community. The Corporation by-laws are usually approved by the state Secretary of State and govern the operation of the corporation.

Charles Hanna

Probably the largest collection of CC&Rs for residential airpark communities can be found on the Living With Your Plane website. In addition, many airparks have their CC&Rs listed on their website and we have added links to well over 100 airparks from our site. Just click on links to reach them

I suggest you go through some of the CC&Rs that we’ve got listed, find the parts that seem proper to you and get them to the developer. A good attorney should be able to help write good rules that fit the lifestyle you are looking for.

Dave Sclair
Publisher – Living With Your Plane

From Kearney, Nebraska’s KearneyHub.com:

The doctor hoping to build an aviation community south of Riverdale will wait until June for a decision on his zoning permit request.

Dr. Mark Meyer, who owns an airstrip and lives two miles south of Riverdale near Cottonmill Road and 85th Street, made the request. He hopes to receive a permit for 16 hangar homes.

At a public meeting six of the 25 people in attendance spoke out against the airpark. From one commentor: Read the full story

From The Democrat in Senatobia, Miss., Melissa Turner reports:

“After an hour-long and emotional public hearing, the Tate County Board of Supervisors upheld a Planning Commission decision allowing a private airpark in eastern Tate County.”

Darrell Riddell wants to build a home for himself and six more on his 79-acre parcel. He also wants to include a 4,000 foot long turf runway. To better understand some of the opposition Mr. Riddell faces:

Read the full story