I might be moving to North Carolina in the next couple of years, and I would like to start looking for a good area? I don't have to be in any place in particular, as long as it's in NC. I have several requirements:

1) not in a major city, but no more than half an hour from one
2) very close to a small friendly airport or flying community
3) western NC would be great, but not in Asheville
4) not too isolated (that's my wife's request)

Would appreciate comments and recommendations!

Eduardo

I think you will like North Carolina, especially western NC.

What constitutes a major city? And why only 30 minutes from a major city? That time constraint might put yu in the suburbs of Charlotte, which, personally, I wouldn't be too crazy about. And because of the topography, 30 minutes driving time might still be very close to the city - possibly only 15 miles as the crow flies once you get into the hills.

Presumably you're going to want a medium sized airport for your C-47, right? Will you want instrument approaches, too? Wilkesboro might work for you: it's about 30 - 45 minutes from Charlotte, the airport is pretty nice but not overly busy (the Lowes fleet is/was based there), and you're not quite in the hilly terrain yet. Also, there are some nice reservoirs nearby.

Sossoman field is a small, private strip located further southwest in the state in much hillier country. Very pretty there, but possibly not a good airport for the C-47 (although it would be fine for a supercub).

If you can go a little further west you might consider Johnson City, TN or Elizabethton, TN. Beautiful topography, lakes, gorges, not as busy or expensive as the Charlotte suburbs, lots of good supercub flying in the area.

Thanks for your response PA12. Yeah, the C-47 is a concern, but I can operate it easily from a 3,000 strip (more is better of course), so runway length is not tha important. I don't know what else I would take with me, but my L4 Cub will definitively come along also.

As to the size of the city and how far out, you're right. 30 min from Charlotte, for instance, would be too close. I guess I have to play it by ear. I hadn't thought about eastern TN, but that makes a lot of sense. I don't want to pay the NC just to be in NC. I have a feeling that TN is more my style anyway.

What I failed to mention is that I am selling my house in CO in order to buy something in the East Coast. I lived too long in FL to want to go back, and the NE (which I love) to buy a place on the Eastern Seaboard.

I know I can't replace western flying, which is what I would like, but I want a place where I can do some fun flying, the weather is mild, and the gun laws are liberal!

Eduardo

I was born and raised in NC. The weather is mild - but you will be dealing with haze and humidity for a good bit of the year. there are quite a few NC pilots on supercub.org - I would maybe pose your question there too. I was not a pilot in formative years and haven't looked back since I left. 30 minutes by plane, or by ca? I don't think there are any major cities in NC - but that is always a matter of opinion. Charlotte is about as big as it gets. You can likely find some good affordable options in the foothills area but I don't have anything to offer other than the fact that the Raleigh area and east is very challenging to find hangar space - and you have quite a few restricted areas to deal with because of the military presence. But you probably know all about that if you fly C-47s.

Best of luck!

Anarchisto, thanks for your thoughts. When I meant large cities, I was really talking about Charlotte, and 30 min I meant by car. The western part of the state is where I'm most interested. Although I've been to NC many times, and even went to school there for a year, my wife has never been there, so I need to take her.

The only concern I have about moving to NC is that I will me missing western flying A LOT! How about Georgia??

Hendersonville, NC is one of my favorite spots.

Peachstate Aerodrome (30 south of Atlanta) might be something for you to look at. Ron Alexander occasionally puts his DC3 in there. It's as General Aviation friendly as you can get.

http://www.peachstateaero.com/

I spent some time in Marion and really like the area.

The Local Aiirport http://www.airnav.com/airport/9A9

Flying up the Linville Gorge low level in a Long ranger with the doors off

Peach State Aero sure looks good, kg! That's the kind of place I like. Thanks for the info.

Eduardo

Sorry it took me a while to respond, tcj. I've been checking Marion out in internet. It looks awesome, and being in the western part of the state is really what I want. It is also close enough to Asheville to keep the wife happy. I'll definitively consider that.

And, the strip looks great!!

Eduardo

There is a home for sale across the street from Peachstate that belongs to my brother. PM me for contact info. Literally right across the street, but no association fees. There are lots available too right on the field. It is gated, but a low key group. Great little airport. You'll see anything flying from a Curtiss Jenny to Ron's DC-3...and everything else in between. Restaurant on the field is tops. And its a easy drive up into the city.

I'll send you a PM tonight, Clay! Thanks.

Clay, to be honest, I still have a couple of years to be able to make a move. Peachstate sure looks good, and I will keep it in mind. I am definitively looking into Georgia as there seems to be great places there. I'll keep you posted.

Eduardo

I just saw your post and had to read it twice, I posted almost the same thing about 9 months ago. I am now living in Mooresville NC. About 30 minutes by car from Charlotte if no traffic but that is not often. I have recently started to make friends in the aviation community down here, going to the seaplane fly in tomorrow at Long Island air park. Send me a pm and I will give you my number if you want

Will do bloomah

Welcome to KEWN, new Bern NC you can fly to all the places in the write up before me, and you can do the outer banks!!! OBX summer fun good eats..golf cart back to and from just down the road i hear there is some kool beach landing, up the road Kitty Hawk. i own the Area 51 Deli at terminal, stop in i have a nickel beer machine. the airport has a new FBO sweet,good guys on the public use side.
cheers

Great 170a! Thanks for the invite. I'll definitively come visit when I come up with my wife to check out NC. Nee Bern sure sounds good!

Eduardo

While many want to be in the hill country do not forget the eastern part of NC has a lot to offer. 05N is a 1900' strip with lots on the field and across the road. I have more than 60 landing strips within an hour. Give me a call sometime or better yet fly in and see for yourself. One hour puts you on the coast and three hours your in the mountains. Airport is outside of larger city but still very rural. Hope to meet you soon.
southoaksaerodrome.org. EAA1423.org

Thanks tsn! I have to admit that I think more about the western part of the state. I have been to the mountains but I haven't been any further east of Charlotte in the south and Raleigh/Durham in the north. I will definitively come visit and pick your brain. Thanks!

I considered moving to the Mooresville/Concord/Charlotte area not too long ago. My first choice would have been northern part of Lake Norman (if I could have afforded it). There is an airport or I think a fly in community on Lake Norman. It's a pretty nice area, but my be getting overgrown? I hadn't been there in years. I'd still consider moving there if I had to.

Side note: One of my first rides in a small plane was out of Statesville, NC around 1994ish. A Cessna 172. Flew down around the speedway, landed at Concord and flew back to Statesville.

Great 58, I'll check it out!!