“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.

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.

Ours is a small neighborhood with only 36 lots. Many of our neighbors walk, bicycle, take the dogs for a walk, and ride the golf carts around the neighborhood so we have a pretty good presence from about 6 am to maybe 10 pm. From 10 pm to about 6 am the Sherriff’s department occasionally does a courtesy drive through. The only problem we seem to have is about 2-4 times a year some of the local High School students will try to drag race on the runway. Since our neighborhood is a one way in and only one way out, we have been able to block the exit on several occasions and the Sherriff’s department has been very quick to respond and take over and write tickets.

Bottom line, Neighborhood Watch seems to be a good program and I highly recommend it. I would also suggest fly in communities consider implementing AOPA’s Airport Watch program.”

From Dave Yoder, Wellington Aero Club, West Palm Beach, Florida…

“We tried Neighborhood Watch (a 251 lot airpark community) but could not get enough of the community interested. We proposed street captains who would coordinate with neighbors, the Home Owners Association (HOA) Board of Directors (BOD) or local Sheriff as appropriate. As an alternative, the Sheriff had a program whereby the HOA signed an agreement with the Sheriff allowing the Deputies to make arrests without contacting the BOD first. Official Signs (as many as needed) were provided by the Sheriff alerting anyone that had ill intent that they were being watched by the Sheriff and would be arrested. It seems to have had some impact. However, those of us who are concerned have an informal contact list that works even better. We also have signs that tell anyone that it is a Federal Offense to mess with aviation, Private or otherwise.”

…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.

Threshold Ranch delivers the amenities of similar premium airpark communities throughout the U.S. These include a special mix of both urban and ranch living. Fly-in communities are known for their accessibility to great destinations. A land of many springs, stony hills, steep canyons, rolling vistas, towering oak trees and juniper tress describe this Hill Country setting. Threshold Ranch Airpark blends urban living in nearby San Antonio with Hill Country hospitality providing access all across Texas and beyond.

Developed on former ranch property, Threshold Ranch adjoins the established Boerne Stage Airfield, which is 25 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio and just seven miles southeast of Boerne, Texas. The airfield has been in operation since 1986, and offers instrument approaches, maintenance, fuel, flight training, aircraft rentals, hangar rental, aircraft storage and other related services.

For further information, contact Threshold Ranch, 602 Boerne Stage Airfield, Boerne, TX 78006, call 210-260-5111, kbest@phyllisbrowning.com.

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.’”

“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.

Tennessee’s Big South Fork Airpark is constructing a new 2,696 square-foot custom home. The home, termed “The Cottage” will include a large outdoor fire place, indoor fireplace, lots of porches, hardwood floors, custom cabinets, natural stone tile showers and granite counter tops. The homesite features 2.3 acres with lots of hardwoods. For details call (877) BSF-PARK or email.