A subscriber recently contacted us about runway lights and VASI. He indicated that the homeowners at this airpark are considering installing runway lights to allow for night operations and he was interested in adding a VASI.

The writer indicated that a VASI that would provide both day and night landing guidence would be a significant safety addition.

However, he was interested in creating his own device rather than buying a commercial unit. “Do you know where I can get any plans or specifications for a homemade VASI, especially one that is lit for night operations,” he asks?

He said he has found several references to homemade VASIs with an internet search, but wasn’t able to come up with any plans or specifications.

Anyone ever looked into this idea before or actually built one? You can help your fellow residential airpark residents if you have any knowledge of such a project.

LIVING WITH YOUR PLANE
Airpark Self-Ceertification Security Plan
Elements of an Airpark
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A residential airpark is a wonderful place to live, bring up a family and enjoy the convenience of living with your airplane, whether that is for business or pleasure.
But, even as it provides great peace of mind for most residents of the airparks, the facility is often misunderstood and confused by those unfamiliar with this type of living. Unfortunately, the end result of this lack of understanding can be suspicion, fear and attempts to invoke unnecessary controls.
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    Here are a couple of inputs relating to the joint use of roads by cars and airplanes. The first information comes from Meadow Creek Airpark in Monee, Illinois and the second one was submitted by a resident of Hidden Lake Airport in New Port Richey, Florida.

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Holley Mountain Airpark at Clinton, Arkansas, was slated to have an RNAV (GPS) approach published in the Dec. 27 cycle, according to Jim D. Collom, spokesman for the airpark.

At the same time that the new approach is published, Collom said the the airport identifier will be changed to K2A2.
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Anyone have any experience in maintaining grass runways?

Kenneth Melvin of Hillsboro, Oregon, says the folks at Olinger Airpark (OR81) are having repeated problems with their turf runway.
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I thought I would add my two cents about reader Betty Mastley, of Conyers, GA who wants the county to repave their street.
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If you are interested in developing a turf runway on a residential airpark you might want to get a hold of FAA Advisory Circular 150/5370-10A dated 2/17/89. The AC title is Standards for Specifying Construction of Airports.
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I came across a somewhat obscure group of FAA documents regarding Marking and Lighting of Unpaved Runways. Enclosed are the first few pages. The total package is about 80 pages. It is fairly complete and includes analysis and construction details.
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Bremerton, Washington - The Puget Sound area of Washington State is one of this country’s most beautiful areas in which to live and it has a climate that is extremely pleasant. (Don’t believe all the stories about it raining in the Pacific Northwest all the time. There are a lot of overcast days, but not all that terribly much rain. And, even with the overcast there are usually good ceilings.)
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