Discovered an airpark nearby, but it looks rough...

[BlueSky247]

Gang,

Am I on drugs for thinking this place just does not look like a good idea? I was thinking maybe do a little hangar there with the studio apartment option but it is literally next to the interstate and worse, is downwind from that - guaranteeing you will always be enjoying exhaust pollution, nevermind the noise.  It may not even be an option anyway since they won't answer the phone or return my call.  (And yes, I realize complaining about noise in an airport thread is ironic, but I think we can all agree it's much nicer to hear the occasional GA traffic versus sitting next to a busy highway. That would put a damper on those maintenance days.)

The runway is also "only" 3000' by 50'. I did a flyover last weekend and the place looked dead.

https://broadriverairpark.org/

 

 

[KSMooniac]

That runway is usable for any Mooney, provided it is in good repair.  Have any hangars been built?  Website shows 30 lots sold, but also mentions "starting Feb 2015" that they'll host fly-ins.  If that is the most recent update, then it appears nothing ever got going?  I would never buy/build the first improvement on any airpark unless I owned 100% of it.  If nothing has happened in the last 9 years and there are no owner hangars built, then that should tell you all you need to know.

I bought a lot on a mature but growing airpark and cannot wait to build our house + separate hangar.  It's been a dream for a very long time, but it is hard to find the right combo of location, cost, amenities, community, etc. in an airpark community IMO.  

[BlueSky247]

Yes, I pulled up the google maps satellite pic and there are a dozen buildings scattered around the field now. When I flew over on what was a beautiful day, only one hangar door was open and I saw almost no cars. I tried to visit by land but couldn't even get in and sat outside awhile with no one coming or going. Not encouraging.

[Hank]

I've been based a total of ten years at two different fields, 3000' x 75'. Neither had any approaches, both were paved, one was obstructed and the other one had a taxiway.

Easy easy, no problem. 

One owned by the county, one by the city. 

[KSMooniac]

46 minutes ago, BlueSky247 said:

Yes, I pulled up the google maps satellite pic and there are a dozen buildings scattered around the field now. When I flew over on what was a beautiful day, only one hangar door was open and I saw almost no cars. I tried to visit by land but couldn't even get in and sat outside awhile with no one coming or going. Not encouraging.

If you're looking for a very active & social community, perhaps that isn't the one, but if you want a place where you can own dirt and build what you want at a reasonable cost and you don't care about community activities, then it might be worth pursuing.  Every person and situation is different...  My first inquiry would be ownership structure of the community & especially the runway, so I could be sure I would be able to use it as an airport into the future before looking to buy & build.

Rental hangars are getting scarcer and more expensive every year, so IMO if you plan to be a long-term owner, then it makes sense to build your own hangar if you can swing it, and especially if you can own the dirt.  I've been renting a hangar for 17.5 years so far and don't like to think how much "better" I would be now had I figured out a way to build one years ago.  Especially when it is very hot or very cold and I don't feel like working on the plane...

[BlueSky247]

Thanks @KSMooniac that's exactly why I can't shake thinking I need to pursue this one further. All of the public airports around me have quoted 8 year waiting lists, and this airpark is only 20 minutes from my house. I figure if I can actually get in touch with someone and the pricing is reasonable, I'd put in extra soundproofing and industrial grade air scrubbers. I hope to have a couple of decades of medical eligibility left in me so not paying rent somewhere would be nice.

[LANCECASPER]

18 hours ago, BlueSky247 said:

Gang,
Am I on drugs for thinking this place just does not look like a good idea? I was thinking maybe do a little hangar there with the studio apartment option but it is literally next to the interstate and worse, is downwind from that - guaranteeing you will always be enjoying exhaust pollution, nevermind the noise.  It may not even be an option anyway since they won't answer the phone or return my call.  (And yes, I realize complaining about noise in an airport thread is ironic, but I think we can all agree it's much nicer to hear the occasional GA traffic versus sitting next to a busy highway. That would put a damper on those maintenance days.)
The runway is also "only" 3000' by 50'. I did a flyover last weekend and the place looked dead.
https://broadriverairpark.org/
 
 

I don't think it's an airpark that you would plan on living at full time - since they talk about "weekend stay-overs". However I haven't read through all of the covenants, etc.    https://broadriverairpark.org/site-plan/

That being said I still like it. Having I-85 parallel carries some advantages, Easy to get to as opposed to where I am - way out in the country (https://www.silverwingsflyinranch.com/), although that carries some advantages as well. A big advantage I feel, is that you have an option, if shortly after take-off you lose power. Having an couple lanes going the same direction you are going no matter which runway you depart is definitely better than putting it down in the trees or trying to make the impossible turn. 

It's too bad they didn't spend the money and wire for runway lights. That's not only needed for night operations but at the airpark I Iive at we use them for daytime landing also to let airplanes taxiing know that there's an incoming airplane.

It would also be nice on each runway end to have a paved access from the taxiway to the runway.

[BlueSky247]

That is a great point about the emergency landing option! Thank you.

I wouldn't plan on living there, just would be nice to have a place to snooze if I needed to wait out the weather or something. Or give Cousin Eddie somewhere to park his rv.  

 

[Mooneymite]

It amuses me when the developer refers to "hangers".  You gotta wonder how exactly aircraft are stored.  

 

https://broadriverairpark.org/

[LANCECASPER]

It amuses me when the developer refers to "hangers".  You gotta wonder how exactly aircraft are stored.  
 
https://broadriverairpark.org/

This is what comes to mind when I think of an Airplane Hanger




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[Fly Boomer]

2 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

My first inquiry would be ownership structure of the community & especially the runway, so I could be sure I would be able to use it as an airport into the future before looking to buy & build.

My first question:  "sewer and water are nice, but has anyone asked about electricity?"  I suspect it gets hot there in the summer.

[BlueSky247]

1 hour ago, Fly Boomer said:

My first question:  "sewer and water are nice, but has anyone asked about electricity?"  I suspect it gets hot there in the summer.

Good question! There's no way they'd do something like that here with no power available to the lots.

There's indications on the site map for power lines, and a lot of language in the bylaws about satellite dishes, radio antennas, utility right of way, etc.  One of the building pics under the media page appears to show a power pole off to the side. But that is something I will for sure ask about if I ever manage to get in touch with someone there. 

[Hank]

1 hour ago, Fly Boomer said:

My first question:  "sewer and water are nice, but has anyone asked about electricity?"  I suspect it gets hot there in the summer.

Hydraulic hangar doors require electricity to function, and they are listed in the "hanger package."

[Fly Boomer]

15 minutes ago, BlueSky247 said:

Good question! There's no way they'd do something like that here with no power available to the lots.

There's indications on the site map for power lines, and a lot of language in the bylaws about satellite dishes, radio antennas, utility right of way, etc.  One of the building pics under the media page appears to show a power pole off to the side. But that is something I will for sure ask about if I ever manage to get in touch with someone there. 

Just seems like they might have mentioned it.

[BlueSky247]

Agreed. They also don’t mention the large cell tower off of the right side of the north end of the runway. We saw that from the air and you can see it in their media page pic. Best to stay on centerline on that departure….

[LANCECASPER]

47 minutes ago, BlueSky247 said:

Agreed. They also don’t mention the large cell tower off of the right side of the north end of the runway. We saw that from the air and you can see it in their media page pic. Best to stay on centerline on that departure….

On a thirty foot wide runway best to stay on centerline on take-off and landing too.

[Hank]

6 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

On a thirty foot wide runway best to stay on centerline on take-off and landing too.

The website says 3000' x 50' runway.

[LANCECASPER]

55 minutes ago, Hank said:

The website says 3000' x 50' runway.

Ok, let's split the difference. AirNav says it's 40 feet . . lol

https://www.airnav.com/airport/3GE3

[BlueSky247]

I’ll bring a landscaping tape measure if I ever get in.
 

The website says to fly in anytime and have a look around….

 

CFI: Why do you have a huge tape measure hanging out of your flight bag?

 

Me: It’s a long story…

[Mcstealth]

11 minutes ago, BlueSky247 said:

 

CFI: Why do you have a huge tape measure hanging out of your flight bag?

 

Me: It’s a long story…

No pun intended, I assume.

Edited May 30, 2024 by Mcstealth

[Pinecone]

15 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

At least this picture shows some hangars built.  So might be worth further investigation.

[Shadrach]

18 hours ago, BlueSky247 said:

Gang,

Am I on drugs for thinking this place just does not look like a good idea? I was thinking maybe do a little hangar there with the studio apartment option but it is literally next to the interstate and worse, is downwind from that - guaranteeing you will always be enjoying exhaust pollution, nevermind the noise.  It may not even be an option anyway since they won't answer the phone or return my call.  (And yes, I realize complaining about noise in an airport thread is ironic, but I think we can all agree it's much nicer to hear the occasional GA traffic versus sitting next to a busy highway. That would put a damper on those maintenance days.)

The runway is also "only" 3000' by 50'.  I did a flyover last weekend and the place looked dead.

https://broadriverairpark.org/

 

 

It’s funny to me how what qualifies as busy and polluted varies from one part of the country to the next…

That looks like a fairly peaceful stretch of highway. I’m sure it gets busy but given all of your concerns, maybe this place isn’t for you. 
 

The threshold of our longest runway is less than 800’ from I81 my hangar is 2500’ from the highway. At Broadriver, you would be much closer. I don’t think air pollution will be an issue. Noise pollution? Probably during peak hours.

3000’X40’ (per Airnav) should be a walk in the park for most any competently piloted Mooney as long as operating weight is <3000lbs, above that the margins are less than what I would consider conservative.
 

[Mooneymite]

On 5/29/2024 at 2:52 PM, BlueSky247 said:

Gang,

Am I on drugs for thinking this place just does not look like a good idea? I was thinking maybe do a little hangar there with the studio apartment option but it is literally next to the interstate and worse, is downwind from that - guaranteeing you will always be enjoying exhaust pollution, nevermind the noise.  It may not even be an option anyway since they won't answer the phone or return my call.  (And yes, I realize complaining about noise in an airport thread is ironic, but I think we can all agree it's much nicer to hear the occasional GA traffic versus sitting next to a busy highway. That would put a damper on those maintenance days.)

The runway is also "only" 3000' by 50'. I did a flyover last weekend and the place looked dead.

https://broadriverairpark.org/

 

 

This is closer to Hartwell....

I've used it in my Mooney many years ago.  Is it still there?

https://www.airnav.com/airport/0GA2

[BlueSky247]

2 hours ago, Mooneymite said:

This is closer to Hartwell....

I've used it in my Mooney many years ago.  Is it still there?

https://www.airnav.com/airport/0GA2

Wow! Thanks for the pointer. I’ll have to swing by and check it out. Google street view seems to show it still active, even shows the windsock.