So when/how is a grass airstrip closed?

[jhefner]

I found this old airport in a nearby town:

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=pd0d4j6wp2tj&lvl=18&dir=270&sty=b&where1=Keene, TX&form=LMLTCC

The hanger doors still say "AIRPORT" on them; but there is no windsock or signs of other facilities. It is not listed on web or in MSFS; and there are now dirt access roads across the runway.

But is it closed? How would a pilot know, other than the fact that it is not on charts? There is no "X" on the ends of the runway. I assume you could get in trouble landing there now?

Of course, I can still land on it in Flight Simulator:





-James

 

[airtj]

It could be a private airport. I would venture that if an airport looks abandon that a pilot would consider it closed. But in an emergency I wouldn't pass the opprunitiy to use it.

 

[kilo delta]

Do you have a telephone contact for the operators? Perhaps it's PPR* only?






*Prior Permission Required

 

[CP1207]

This private strip belonged to a former boss and very good friend of mine.
Grass strip that he put in caused huge issues with the farmers that he leased the land to.
We flew out of it in several different Cessnas that he owned and finally a J-4 Cub.
He has been dead for maybe 8 years. Can pretty much guarantee there has been no air traffic since.
But still shown as an active field.
FSX shows the corn fields as woods. I fly out of there a few times a year in FSX to remember him.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/OH20

 

[Tom Clayton]

If memory serves, all active airports are on the charts. I would imagine this is so that they can be found in case of emergency. If it's not on the charts, I'd imagine the FAA was informed at some point that the strip had been closed.

 

[srgalahad]

I found this old airport in a nearby town:

The hanger doors still say "AIRPORT" on them; but there is no windsock or signs of other facilities. It is not listed on web or in MSFS; and there are now dirt access roads across the runway.

The lack of listing on the common sources ( FAA, TX State, county listings) would indicate that it is not a licensed public or private airport. Putting up a hangar with the word airport doesn't mean a lot and still would not be common knowledge unless it's, for example, marked on the field or on the roof of a building. So, no publication basically means pilots wouldn't know it existed.

I also found no record of a strip in that location in a search of abandoned airports
http://members.tripod.com/airfields_freeman/TX/Airfields_TX.htm

A bit of speculation... it's adjacent to Southwestern Adventist University. They are active in the missionary-pilot world and I found a reference to a pilot flying/repairing/rebuilding aircraft in the Keene area. It's possible that it was a facility operated by the school (or 'friends') solely for use associated with their missionary roles. The significantly large communications tower and building on the eastern end would certainly ruin it for safe a/c operations.

Also interesting to note the small domed observatory near midfield...

But is it closed? How would a pilot know, other than the fact that it is not on charts? There is no "X" on the ends of the runway. I assume you could get in trouble landing there now?
-James

First question is: Was it ever "open"? If not a licensed airport then I doubt there is a legal reason for marking it after it becomes disused. Perhaps, if it was commonly known, it might be prudent - but then again, for how long. In farm country there are many 'strips' that are even more obvious than this one, but not published anywhere.

Could you get in trouble? Likely not if the landing was an emergency/precautionary one. Just for fun??? hmmm it IS Texas and the landowner likely has a 12 ga. with 00 loaded.. is that trouble?

Apparently the legal profession in the US wanted a simple (more arguable?) definition (FAR -Title 14 - Part 1.1) Airport means an area of land or water that is used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, and includes its buildings and facilities, if any.
---For further clarification, contact a lawyer ---

the Canadian regs (in part) are as follows:

301.03 (1) Subject to subsection (2), where the operator of an aerodrome provides the Minister with information respecting the location, markings, lighting, use and operation of the aerodrome, the Minister shall register the aerodrome and publish the information in the Canada Flight Supplement or the Water Aerodrome Supplement, as applicable.

(2) The Minister may refuse to register an aerodrome where the operator of the aerodrome does not meet the requirements of sections 301.05 to 301.09 or where using the aerodrome is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety and, in such a case, shall not publish information with respect to that aerodrome.
(3) The operator of an aerodrome registered pursuant to subsection (1) shall notify the Minister immediately after any change is made to the location, marking, lighting, use or operation of the aerodrome that affects the information published by the Minister pursuant to subsection (1).

“airport” means an aerodrome in respect of which an airport certificate issued under...

 

[jhefner]

Thanks for your responses; everyone.

Perhaps it's PPR* only?

There is an airport like that just a few miles west of this site. It is called Blackwood Airpark, and it is listed in MSFS as TX46:

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=pd1jvk6wj2hp&lvl=18&dir=270&sty=b&ss=yp.Blackwood%20Airpark~pg.1~rad.0,266277565396645&form=LMLTCC

The default airport in MSFS is just a grass strip; I layed out the runway, taxi areas, fueling area and parking spaces, and started to build the structures when my hard disks both failed. Fortunately, I have my work to date, but I think I lost the gmax source.

Anyway, it is my "home base", and my Early Fairchild series is parked there in my simulator. They are too big to park in the hangers without their wings folded, so they stay parked outside:



The real base looks like a natural for a Bill Lyons recreation; there are RV trailers, a storage shed and antique cars parked in the hangers along with private planes and ultralights. One slot is set up as a repair shop, and the oil drum nearest to the office has a sign that reads "Parking for Elvis only." There is a cross on top of the office, and there is a sign on the door for fly-in church services, though I don't know if they still take place anymore. A gravel sales operation by the same owner completes the front of the location.

A bit of speculation... it's adjacent to Southwestern Adventist University. They are active in the missionary-pilot world and I found a reference to a pilot flying/repairing/rebuilding aircraft in the Keene area. It's possible that it was a facility operated by the school (or 'friends') solely for use associated with their missionary roles.

Getting back to the original subject; srgalahad, I think you bingoed on what this airport was originally used for. To the right (north) of the nearby lake is the base for the regional Adventist relief work, with their emergency response trailers parked in front. Like you said, it was probably associated with either their missionary work or emergency response work, and was probably always considered private.

I also found no record of a strip in that location in a search of abandoned airports
http://members.tripod.com/airfields_...rfields_TX.htm

Yes, I also noticed it wasn't listed there; probably because it was a private airport when it was in operation. That is what made me curious about it; it probably is closed now; that communications tower does ruin any use now for safe operations.

-James