Dave,
Just wanted to say thanks - I had asked about a map function to display the locations of air parks graphically. I don’t know if you were coincidentally working on one or not, but it works great!
Thanks,
LtCol Eric Rine
Executive Officer
Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity
Our residential airpark, Brownsville Airport (F25 - Full Access subscription required), is currently being used as a staging and refueling station by helicopters fighting the Northern California fires.Posted in Letters, NewsComments (0)
I read your recent article in the April 4, 2008 Issue of General Aviation News regarding airpark liability insurance.
Our airpark, High Mesa Airpark LLC has a 3300 foot long, 60 foot wide runway. Each of the 20 lots of 2 acres owns property out to the middle of the runway, with a setback of 150 feet where no construction is allowed. Each lot owner makes his own taxiway to the runway.
In your answer, “Hopefully the runway, taxiways or other common property are held by a homeowners association that is incorporated.” The question is what is meant by the words, “held by”?
Also, in paragraph two, “consider the value of the property owned by the association.” Our association does not own any of the runway itself.
How could one distinguish between runway ownership and home ownership of for example lot 7, and a common runway?
The situation might also be complicated by our County Planning and Zoning regulations.
In the event of an “incident” leading to litigation, most likely occurring on the runway, the situation becomes even more unclear.
I concur with you in that I would not want to be part of an association that goes without liability insurance. Possible resolution of these questions might come from a study of other examples of past cases involving air park associations in litigations.
Do you know of an attorney with experience involving air park associations? Please advise.
Thank you,
Ron Garver, Maintenance Manager
Phil DiBartola, Air Park Assn. President
Recently we asked insurance firms to tell us about liability insurance terms and fees for residential airparks. We received responses from Jon R. Shimer, Jr. of Aviation Insurance Resources and Norma Joyce of AUA. The information they provided is below together with the contact information.
I am the airport Manager of Mid Valley Airpark in Los Lunas NM.
We are currently involved in talks with Valencia County. These talks are for Valencia County to contract with Mid Valley Airpark to provide and maintain an airport in Valencia County (something we have been doing for over 30 years).
The benefit of the County contracting us as such, is that it is a way to obtain funds to maintain/improve the airfield without violating the State’s “anti donation clause”. This is a win-win situation for all involved, as it provides funds for the airport that we can not get otherwise. It also provides the County an airport it does not have to pay for (State funds), while enjoying all the benefits and economic perks involved.
What I was wondering is if anyone else on your list has done something similar for a privately owned, public access airpark. If so, any details or written agreements would be greatly appreciated as it would save us much time and effort.
Recently we have worked with the County in creating an “Airport Zoning Overlay” that provides some protection from encroachment and future complaints/problems. This was a long process, but adds much needed protection in a fast growing community.
I would appreciate any input or help you may provide. Keep up the good work!
Thank you,
Kurt Winker
Airport Manager,
Mid Valley Airpark (E98)
330 Luscombe Ln.
Los Lunas NM 87031
MidValleyAirpark@aol.com
505-610-3676
One of the primary objections to residential airparks – indeed all airports, large and small, public and private – centers around noise. This usually is generated by the number of airplane takeoffs and landings in a given period.
Click FULL ACCESS to get all airpark detail. Just $20 per year.
