Well its been 8 or 9 years since you started this project. What did you find out?

I bought 40 acres in McIntosh, New Mexico to build my own air field.

Locally required is to get written permission from surrounding neighbors. Apply for a use permit from the local county, and work with the state to be sure compliance is met.

Advised to me, was to make contact with someone in the area that already has a private air field and get any tips and tricks from them before applying for my own. Knowing the right person often helps things along far enough to get past where is is easier for administrators to just say no. If you know someone important, it's harder to blatantly say no without support.

The RAF has some great guidance on 'personal airstrips'.

Read this regulation in full and you will see some opportunities:

California Code of Regulations
Title 21 Sections 3525 through 3560
AIRPORTS AND HELIPORTS


3533. EXEMPTIONS
(a) All airports in the State of California, except those owned or operated by the United States Government, are subject to the permitting requirements of these regulations.
(b) The following classes of airport are exempt from the permitting requirements of these regulations pursuant to PUC Section 21661:
(1) Agricultural airports;
(2) Seaplane landing sites;
(3) Personal-use airports in unincorporated areas which meet the requirements of Article 5 of these regulations

ARTICLE 5. PERSONAL-USE AIRPORTS
3560. GENERAL
Many elements in the design of Personal-Use airports are at the discretion of the owner. However, the Department requires at least the following:
(a) a runway length and width or FATO dimensions adequate to enable aircraft to operate safely, considering airport location and the performance data of the most demanding aircraft to utilize the airport;
(b) the ends of each runway shall be at least 200 feet from the airport property line or the closest point of each FATO shall be at least 80 feet from the airport property line;
(c) the distance from the runway centerline to the property line of another owner shall be at least 50 feet;
(d) the distance from the taxiway centerline to the property line of another owner shall be at least 50 feet; and
(e) if the airport is identifiable as an airport from the air, it shall be marked with the letter “R” in accordance with Section 3543(a) [for airports only] or the letters “PVT” in accordance with Section 3554(a)(3) [for heliports only]. If an airport lighting system is installed, it shall illuminate the required markings. The Department shall determine whether or not the airport is identifiable from the air if there is a dispute.

You want to put a white R inside a white circle on both ends of the runway. I forget the dimensions, but you are safe if you follow the FAA guidance on markings.

There are a lot of these personal airports all over the State in California.

All of the above advice about not pissing off the neighbors.... is GOOD advice.

Rich

Im in Colorado, on agricultural designated zoning. Middle of nowhere, no near any towns, city limits etc. I emailed the country people back before I built my own personal strip. Didn't give them my name, or address, just mentioned the general area, and what type of zoning I'm in... and asked this very question. I got a response stating I would need all kinds of special use permits, and some other negative jazz. Told me what code book to look in, and what section for special use permits. I read that section several times and there was no mention of flying, runways, airports etc. I searched the whole code book for every code word I could think of that relates to flying and aviation. None of those words are mentioned related to anything here. I emailed back and questioned the piss-poor response I got, asking specifically where it states it's a requirement in this county to have a permit to fly etc. Never got a response.... Built the runway, have probably made 200-300 landings here.

Typical government BS is all I can figure. They must be trained to try and shut you down when the 'fun detected' light goes off. Once called on said BS, no response, as there is no law against it here. Your neighbors will be your biggest possible problem... Keep them happy, and I doubt you will have much of an issue.

Been using my strip for years on our 120 acres. It is not identifiable as an airport from overhead. Many of you have looked for it and have not been able to find it. Our county ordinance requires a use permit but they do not give them out very often. I opted for no sock just a yellow flag with a snake on it with some sort of saying about better not step on the snake.

My neighbors do not care cus it is not used five times a day. That is why I invite only very few to use it. Also it is California so if you die on my place your angry wife will sue me.

I keep the plane in an agricultural storage building that I built. Coincidentally the plane fits in pretty good.

Tim

qmdv wrote:I keep the plane in an agricultural storage building that I built. Coincidentally the plane fits in pretty good.

Awesome!