Dave led a EAA hosted webinar on August 27. More than 100 people attended the 75+ minute seminar with a lively question and answer session. Click here to watch.

The Oregon Statesman Journal reported on Sunday the FAA is “is proposing a rule that would be welcome in Independence Airpark.” The rule relates to residential through-the-fence operations and agreement and the apparent backing down of the FAA over existing locations.

Ray Brown, or Fredericksburg, Texas wrote with a few questions, followed by my answers:

Q1. How does an airpark protect it’s airspace? The traffic pattern from intrusions such as towers or power lines.
A1. There are a few ways an airpark can protect – or at least attempt to protect – its airspace. One way is an air avigation easement. Basically, this is an agreement between the airport and the neighboring property owners stating such things as height of protrusions, ie, antennas or buildings. If this is done prior to or during the construction stage it is usually easier to obtain for minimal effort or finances. It might be more difficult after the airport is open and operating, but certainly not impossible. Another way to achieve some level of protection is by public action from the public entity (city, county, port, state) that governs the zoning for the area.

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AOPA’s ePublishing staff is reporting: “The roughly 75 airports nationwide with residential through-the-fence access may continue to offer those operations and remain in compliance with FAA regulations, according to the agency’s new through-the-fence policy released Sept. 9.” Read the full story at AOPA online.

AOPA is reporting a meeting with the FAA has, “described the criteria that will be outlined in the office’s soon-to-be-released revision of its policy on residential through-the-fence access at federally funded airports.” While good news, the story tempers that “good news” with, “However, the FAA plans to eliminate future residential through-the-fence access, a move that AOPA believes should be more flexible.” Clearly, more work needs to be done.

In the Floorplans section of Living With Your Plane website we have a few dozen examples of different airpark home designs. In response to a call for floorplans years ago, I received the following image. Do you live in this home? Do you know who lives in this home? If memory serves correct, this home is located in Washington state, but I wouldn’t guarantee it. If you know, send me an email. For that matter, if you’d like to share a copy of your plans I’d love to have them.

Dave Sclair will be conducting a Residential Airpark webinar on Thursday, August 26 (from 5:00-6:15 pm Pacific Time). To join the free online program, hosted by EAA, click here.

From The Daily Record of Wooster, Ohio, the Wayne County Planning Commission is reviewing an plans for Mohican Airpark in Clinton Township. From the story:

“Mark Scheibe has plans to develop Mohican Airpark on 43 acres with 17 lots and two grass airstrips for planes off of state Route 3 in Clinton Township. The lots will range from 1.5-8 acres, and the subdivision will have one road and two cul-de-sacs. A number of the lots will have access to the airstrips.”

Marc C. Lee authored a nice story in the September 2010 issue of Plane & Pilot magazine. The story, “Airpark Living: Waking Up To Your Dream” offers briefs descriptions on 18 airparks around the country (and one in Costa Rica). Be sure to check it out.

(Following is a photo essay of an airpark home in Illinois. Want to show off your home to fellow airpark dwellers and dreamers? Send Dave a description and photos.)

From homeowner Curt Welge:

Our house is just under 4000 sq. ft. of open construction. Tall ceilings and fireplace, hardwood floors, plaster walls, full unfinished basement. Geothermal heating and air conditioning for low cost year round comfort. 60 X 40 hangar with 54 X 16 Hydroswing door. Hangar is also heated and air conditioned with Geothermal and in floor radiant heating as well. Hangar is finished on the outside with brick and hardee board siding with a dutch hip roop. Interior hangar is drywalled and floor is epoxied white.

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