Living on the airport -- comments?

[Jay Honeck]

We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.

It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.

As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
aggravation over time?

Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
at an airport?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Skyking]

Man, I would GO for it if I were in your shoes.
An aviators' dream.

Skyking
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything
we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes
come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from
some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn
to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually
living
> at an airport?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Richard Kaplan]

I would say YES in a heartbeat... something like that is hard to find. You
will no doubt regret it if you don't go for it.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

[Brad Z]

Go for it. If the noise does become an issue, just form a citizen group to
shut down the airstrip and have it rezoned for a strip mall.

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything
we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes
come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from
some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn
to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually
living
> at an airport?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Cub Driver]

On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 13:15:10 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

> What are the ups and downs of actually living
>at an airport?

You will have to sign a legally enforcable agreement that the airport
was there first, and that you will not join any organization called
Stop the Noise.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

[Big John]

Jay

Lived on USAF Bases for years with the noise of heavy iron day and
night. After a week or so did not cause any problems.

That being said, if your house is off the end of the R/W where you
have high power applications going over the house at low altitude
might be more of a concern.

2400 strip (grass/dirt) or is it hard surface (all WX)? What kind of a
bird can operate out of there and how much noise can it make?

Can you go to house and listen to birds taking off and landing? Will
give you an idea of noise in house.

Are there double pane windows facing R/W. If not and you install will
reduce noise from that direction.

Is house wall facing R/W brick or wood? Brick will probably let less
noise through?

What about your neighbors?

You didn't say, but is this an "Air Park"? Be sure and check the
'covenants'. Some require lot owners to build a house. Others let the
owners just build a hanger for their bird. You could end up living in
the middle of a bunch of metal hangers????

Is field and all WX one? What kind of WX can you land in there. Is
there snow removal in the winter??

Lots of things to check out before laying the hard cold cash down.

Why are present owners moving? Can you verify their story?

Best of luck


Big John
`````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````


On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 13:15:10 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
>property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
>It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
>could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
>fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
>As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
>and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
>grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
>plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
>of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
>aggravation over time?
>
>Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
>at an airport?

[Peter Duniho]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51...
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually
living
> at an airport?

I know, you asked for people who actually live at airparks to comment.
Sorry. We did put an offer on some property at an airpark once, if that
counts. :) Here's my two cents anyway...

Likely the biggest problem is simply that you'll be a member of a
homeowner's association, and will have various obligations with respect to
the maintenance of the airport, and with respect to being restricted by the
covenants of the association. That can sometimes be a royal pain the neck,
and many people avoid buying in developments with covenants and associations
for that reason. Of course, those covenants also provide for a more
uniform, regulated environment, and of course at an airpark help protect the
airport itself.

As for the noise, at most airparks, there are only a handful of operations
each day. You'd have less total exposure to airplane noise than you would
from your neighbors mowing every weekend. Some airparks are considerably
busier, but I have a friend who lives at one of the busier airparks and I've
never heard him complain about the noise.

For that matter, I know several other people who also live at airparks, and
while I've heard complaints, they've never been about the aircraft-related
stuff. It's always other things, like "we live so far from the city", or
"our homeowner's association can never agree on anything", that sort of
thing.

You don't say how far the actual home is from the runway, but I'd be
surprised if the noise ever wound up being a problem. I'd also be surprised
if, other than presenting some unique issues (along with some unique
opportunities), living at an airpark was any worse than living in any other
development. And I'd think there'd be lots to love about it.

Pete

[Cecil E. Chapman]

Part of me wants to say,,,,,, run! don't walk,,, make it so,,,,, and then
another part of my brain is getting stuck on your phrase "property line just
60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway-- ". Maybe I'm just being
a scaredy-cat, but do are you on the 'regular' departure end of the runway?
If so, I might be thinking less about getting tired of airplane 'music'
(which I can't imagine happening, anyways - if my wife would let me, I'd
play my CD of round engine 'airplane noise' 24/7 around the house) than the
chance of getting up-close and personal with an airplane in my living room.
Of course, there have been a few incidents in my area where car drivers have
drove into the side of houses and visited their living rooms,,,, so what the
hey?

Sounds great to me,,, in spite of a bit of a reservation about being 60 feet
from the departure end of the runway (assuming that's what you meant,,,,
though I suspect you were referring to the imaginary extended centerline,
perhaps). Go for it...... but then again,,, you're talking to a city
dweller who would jump at such an opportunity anyways,,, so perhaps it would
be wise to listen to those who actually have lived (or are living) the
experience.

Good Luck!
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> .
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything
we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes
come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from
some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn
to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually
living
> at an airport?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Nigel T Peart]

Pay attention chaps, read before you post!!!

It's clearly not an airpark read "property line".
and he tells us the distance read "60 feet".

Good luck Jay, sounds like an opportunity not to be missed.
I have friends that live under the flight path of 03 at FAJS , and they do
sleep at night!
Regards.


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything
we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes
come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from
some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn
to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually
living
> at an airport?
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> 2400 strip (grass/dirt) or is it hard surface (all WX)? What kind of a
> bird can operate out of there and how much noise can it make?

It's 2400 feet of pavement, with a 1600 foot sod over-run. Usable runway
in summer is 4000 feet.

> Can you go to house and listen to birds taking off and landing? Will
> give you an idea of noise in house.

We looked at it night before last. As we were sitting on the deck that
overlooks the runway with the realtor, a guy in a 152 was doing touch &
goes. The touchdown point for landing is directly in front of the deck,
and not more than 100 feet away -- it was like camping at Oshkosh! The
noise of a touch & go was not bad at all.

When a 182 departed, however, it was pretty loud. Of course, I LIKE
airplane noise, but we started to wonder what taking a nap on a Sunday
afternoon might be like.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Allan Meuli]

>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually
living
> at an airport?


Make sure there aren't issues with the people leaving near the airport. The
owners of St. Croix Riviera airstrip on the MN/WI border had to agree to
discontinue their annual fly-in, and to operate no twins, and to not operate
any aircraft within 1000 feet of one particular rabid neighbors home
(although the airport had been there since the mid 50's).

Googling will yield more information on this strip if anyone is interested.

[Jay Honeck]

> Likely the biggest problem is simply that you'll be a member of a
> homeowner's association

I need to make a few clarifications. This home is not at an airpark. It is
the original home of the guy who built the airport. Before he owned it, the
place was a farm. The home has been extensively remodeled and added onto
over the years, such that we couldn't even see the original farm house.

There is no other home on or near the airport.

> As for the noise, at most airparks, there are only a handful of operations
> each day.

The airport is owned by a 200-member flying club, and is quite active.

> You don't say how far the actual home is from the runway, but I'd be
> surprised if the noise ever wound up being a problem.

The runway runs at an angle along the western border of the property. The
home's property line starts 60 feet back from the centerline of the runway.
The deck of the home is another 40 feet or so back from there -- so when
you're sitting on the deck, the wingtips are less than 100 feet away. It's
VERY cool.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Sounds great to me,,, in spite of a bit of a reservation about being 60
feet
> from the departure end of the runway

The runway parallels the house -- it is not off the departure or arrival
ends.

But the deck is only 100 feet away.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Peter Duniho]

"Nigel T Peart" > wrote in message
...
> Pay attention chaps, read before you post!!!

Pay attention yourself.

> It's clearly not an airpark read "property line".
> and he tells us the distance read "60 feet".

"Clearly not an airpark"? Why not? Just because the property itself
doesn't include the runway? Have you ever even seen an airpark? It's quite
common for a residential airpark to have properties that don't include the
runway.

Even if it's not an airpark (and sure looks to me like it is), what of it?
The real question is whether Jay will get annoyed at the airplane noise, and
frankly if the house is near the runway, this is a valid question whether or
not the facility qualifies as an airpark (though, it does).

Pete

[Jay Masino]

There's an article in the March/April issue of Aviator's Guide about
living in an airpark.
http://www.aviatorsguide.com/features/0304/0304_flyins.htm
It's not directly applicable, since your property isn't in a residential
airpark, but some things are probably applicable.

--- Jay



--

__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.oceancityairport.com
http://www.oc-adolfos.com

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article <yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
> at an airport?


I live on what is probably the largest airpark in the world (Spruce
Creek) and I LOVE it! My house is probablt 1/2 mile from the runway, so
we don't get a lot of noise from aircraft.

The biggest problem is some young neighbors who race motorcycles
(sometimes on the taxiways).

The camaraderie here is just fabulous. EAA meets in one member's hangar,
where he keeps his Great Lakes, Model 12 Pitts, SX-300 and Tailwind.

Every Saturday morning a bunch of us (20-30 planes) fly off to breakfast
in several formations.

[Gene Seibel]

It's a chance I'd take. I have an uncle who once lived in a house with
an active railroad track 30 feet from the bedroom window and did quite
well for a number of years. The human body has an amazing ability to
put up with what one chooses to.
--
Gene Seibel
Hangar 131 - http://pad39a.com/gene/plane.html
Because I fly, I envy no one.




"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51>...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
> at an airport?

[Peter Duniho]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:9Ngcc.189848$_w.1874169@attbi_s53...
> I need to make a few clarifications. This home is not at an airpark. It
is
> the original home of the guy who built the airport.

Even better. No pesky homeowners' associations to mess with. :)

> > As for the noise, at most airparks, there are only a handful of
operations
> > each day.
>
> The airport is owned by a 200-member flying club, and is quite active.

Even better. You don't have to concern yourself with airport maintenance,
except perhaps as a contributing member to the club.

> The runway runs at an angle along the western border of the property.
The
> home's property line starts 60 feet back from the centerline of the
runway.
> The deck of the home is another 40 feet or so back from there -- so when
> you're sitting on the deck, the wingtips are less than 100 feet away.
It's
> VERY cool.

IMHO, your last sentence says it all. If you're really concerned, you
should try to find out exactly what the average operations per day is, and
get a feel for the types of aircraft being operated. There are a few types
that are unreasonably loud, and if they operated there on a frequent basis
you might not like that. But otherwise, sure seems like a good situation to
me.

All that said, I've never lived at an airpark, or any home next to a runway,
so other than sharing my thoughts based on previous experiences looking at
airpark properties, I don't have any first-hand knowledge that would help.

Pete

[Peter Duniho]

"Gene Seibel" > wrote in message
om...
> [...] The human body has an amazing ability to
> put up with what one chooses to.

I think this is an important point, and I wish I'd thought to mention it
myself. There's a HUGE difference between noise you asked for and noise you
didn't. The exact same exposure can be an enormous irritant when you have
no control over it, and when you never expected it, and yet can be a
pleasurable reminder of your own favorite pasttime when you have consciously
decided to expose yourself to it.

Noise can be in and of itself detrimental, but except at the highest noise
levels, your own subjective perception has the most effect on how the noise
affects you.

I'm guessing someone with a passion for the railroad would love to live 30
feet from a set of active tracks, even though that kind of noise would drive
most people up the wall.

Pete

[Jack Allison]

Once again Jay, you've proven that you really and truly suck :-) As a
former Air Force brat who still looks up at *any* passing aircraft, I'd love
to be in your shoes. If you and Mary buy the place, I want to know when the
open house will be? Perhaps a pre-pre-Osh gathering spot...or overflow when
the Inn is full? :-)

Seriously, I'd love to live in an air park or near an airport like that.
Never done it but would be willing to take the chance. For now, I'll have
to limit my on-airport living to that week of bliss in late July/early
August.

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

[Dave S]

I would inquire with the owners of the runway/airport and get a contract
drawn that would guarantee access to the runway.. an easement of some
sort... regardless of what you have said to you in verbal assurances, if
you didnt write it down* (some exceptions apply) it didnt happen or it
isnt in effect.

Considering commuting to work?

Dave

Jay Honeck wrote:
>>Likely the biggest problem is simply that you'll be a member of a
>>homeowner's association
>
>
> I need to make a few clarifications. This home is not at an airpark. It is
> the original home of the guy who built the airport. Before he owned it, the
> place was a farm. The home has been extensively remodeled and added onto
> over the years, such that we couldn't even see the original farm house.
>
> There is no other home on or near the airport.
>
>
>>As for the noise, at most airparks, there are only a handful of operations
>>each day.
>
>
> The airport is owned by a 200-member flying club, and is quite active.
>
>
>>You don't say how far the actual home is from the runway, but I'd be
>>surprised if the noise ever wound up being a problem.
>
>
> The runway runs at an angle along the western border of the property. The
> home's property line starts 60 feet back from the centerline of the runway.
> The deck of the home is another 40 feet or so back from there -- so when
> you're sitting on the deck, the wingtips are less than 100 feet away. It's
> VERY cool.

[EDR]

In article <9Ngcc.189848$_w.1874169@attbi_s53>, Jay Honeck
> wrote:

> The airport is owned by a 200-member flying club, and is quite active.

Is there a deeded easement that guarantees the property you are
considering access to the airport and runway? Or, could the flying club
decide to fence the property and block your access?

[Jay Honeck]

> Considering commuting to work?

Well, one of us might! :-)

Amazingly, this home/airstrip is less than 15 minutes (all freeway) from the
inn -- so it's an easy drive, too.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Rocky]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51>...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
> at an airport?


Hi Jay
I've lived on airports for much of my adult life mostly involved in
crop dusting or helicopter operations. I did it because I didn't like
to comute! I've known a few who lived on airports such as you mention
and none of them were unhappy except for one who thought one owner
abused it with his jet traffic (it was Clay Lacy jets). If all else
fits, like your travel to work, airport maintenance, conveyences or
covenants, surrounding neighbors and any claims against noise from an
airport, no special restrictions by FAA or local/state, or any
expected, then it would seem to be great.
I also know a friend who had an airport house, and it ended up being
turned into a golf course house! He actually ended up making money on
the deal.
The noise will not be a factor unless they do the run-up in your front
yard, or if someone abuses it with something noisy like a Garrett
turbine engine. Its nice if you have amenable neighbors as well
(usually the case).
In my case, I learned to live with the extra dust on everything, and
the smells of chemicals, etc. Would not hesitate to live on an airport
again if I was working on it, or if I had my own aircraft.Good luck
Ol Shy & Bashful

[Rocky]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51>...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
> at an airport?


Hi Jay
I've lived on airports for much of my adult life mostly involved in
crop dusting or helicopter operations. I did it because I didn't like
to comute! I've known a few who lived on airports such as you mention
and none of them were unhappy except for one who thought one owner
abused it with his jet traffic (it was Clay Lacy jets). If all else
fits, like your travel to work, airport maintenance, conveyences or
covenants, surrounding neighbors and any claims against noise from an
airport, no special restrictions by FAA or local/state, or any
expected, then it would seem to be great.
I also know a friend who had an airport house, and it ended up being
turned into a golf course house! He actually ended up making money on
the deal.
The noise will not be a factor unless they do the run-up in your front
yard, or if someone abuses it with something noisy like a Garrett
turbine engine. Its nice if you have amenable neighbors as well
(usually the case).
In my case, I learned to live with the extra dust on everything, and
the smells of chemicals, etc. Would not hesitate to live on an airport
again if I was working on it, or if I had my own aircraft.Good luck
Ol Shy & Bashful

[Jay Honeck]

> Is there a deeded easement that guarantees the property you are
> considering access to the airport and runway? Or, could the flying club
> decide to fence the property and block your access?

Well, I also spoke with the guy who used to own the house, used to own the
airport, and now runs the flying club. We didn't get into specifics yet,
but it appears there are many shared aspects of the properties. (The well
and septic system, for example.)

This isn't surprising, given that the home property was carved out of the
original property. The airport's main taxi-way runs down the home's
lot-line, so "access" to it wouldn't be too difficult!

But you're right -- everything must be in writing, or it might as well not
exist.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> It's a chance I'd take. I have an uncle who once lived in a house with
> an active railroad track 30 feet from the bedroom window and did quite
> well for a number of years.

One huge concern: Ease of re-sale.

This property was seized from the previous owner, who went bankrupt. (Easy
to see why -- according to my sources, he put as much money into the decks,
gazebos, hot tubs and additions as he spent on the entire home originally.)
When his cell-phone business went south, he tried to sell the home (at some
absurdly inflated value) and was unable to do so before the bank foreclosed.

The bank is now selling it -- another down-side.

My fear is that most people would not see having an active runway 100 feet
away as a selling point.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Tom Sixkiller]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:Rmjcc.192620$Cb.1733354@attbi_s51...
>
> My fear is that most people would not see having an active runway 100 feet
> away as a selling point.

Most would not, but some places thrive, such as
http://www.airnav.com/airport/AZ82. A big factor would probably be the
number of operations each day. Is it 10 per day, or 200?

But, yes, you are limiting your resale market substantially.

[G.R. Patterson III]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves.

Jay, there are lots of good ways to soundproof that house if it comes to that.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

[G.R. Patterson III]

Jack Allison wrote:
>
> Seriously, I'd love to live in an air park or near an airport like that.

When we were house-hunting a few years ago, we made an offer on a house that was next
door to Marlboro airport. Someone else beat us to it. Now I'm glad they did; Marlboro
closed and we found a much better house (even if it *is* 45 minutes from the nearest
runway).

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

[Rosspilot]

It sounds like a dream come true for anyone who feels the way you do (and I do)
about airplanes and flying.

I'd jump at it if my life and business were in Iowa.


www.Rosspilot.com

[John Galban]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51>...
> If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
> aggravation over time?
>

I haven't had the fortune of being able to live on an airpark, but
have spent considerable time with friends who do. Actually, the
opposite happens. Over time you'll become accustomed to airplane
noise and you won't even hear it anymore.

A friend of mine lived in a local (public use) airpark and was
amused that I'd look out the big picture window every time I heard a
plane. Over time, I got to the point where I didn't even notice that
planes were taking off and landing. Also, airparks don't usually
generate a lot of traffic. I don't think you'll have a problem in the
noise department.

John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[Greg Burkhart]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:Dfjcc.192586$Cb.1733558@attbi_s51...
> > Considering commuting to work?
>
> Well, one of us might! :-)
>
> Amazingly, this home/airstrip is less than 15 minutes (all freeway) from
the
> inn -- so it's an easy drive, too.

Ok Jay, where is it??? Another question, is there enough plane parking areas
for all of us for the Pre-OSH party?

Party at Jay's!!! ;-)

[pacplyer]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51>...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.

Don't do it Jay! You're going to hate it. I live 450' from the end
of a runway on a skypark with a constant crosswind and it's awful. I
can't get anything done. All I do is sit around all day and smile at
all the free entertainment that goes on all afternoon. I sit there
with a cheap beer every night on the patio, grilling up stuff and
B.S.ing with my skypark nieghbors and not getting any richer because
I'm screwing off dreamning and I hate it. I really do. Everytime I'm
finally getting something cool done in the garage or the yard, here
comes a cool warbird or Japanese student and I have to drop my stuff,
run out in the yard and grade his performance. (Tip: buy large
olympic size grading cards 0-9 to hold up after the wild approaches.)
Noise is a problem. It makes you want to build cool experimentals in
your garage AND hangar at the same time. (this is bad because half
your tools are always in the other building!) You're watching some
mushy movie with your wife on T.V. and you hear a cool engine go by,
so you ditch your wife, hop on the scooter to go see what it was and
accidently forget about the movie. You hear runups in your sleep.
You dream about airplanes all day AND all night. Crazy nieghbors will
buy the damnedest helicopters and ultralights and they'll buzz around
like ****ing insects. You'll wave at them floating by, and they'll
wave back at you, and call you later on the phone to ask why your yard
looks like hell. (No privacy at all I tell you!) You'll be taking a
wizz behind the fence and suddenly it's a power off approach and the
stinson popps out from behind the trees with the guys wife in the
right seat staring at you holding your manhood right there in the
yard! It's a real shocker, let me tell you. Are you going to jail
for this crime... Better invite him&her to your next hangar party for
sure! I could tell you more but a big radial engine is cranking up
somewhere and I've got to go find out what it is..

Good Luck,

pacplyer


>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
> at an airport?

[Cecil E. Chapman]

Ah heck then...... DO IT!!!!

The rest of us will be busy turning green, meanwhile!!!



--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:kOgcc.189854$_w.1875600@attbi_s53...
> > Sounds great to me,,, in spite of a bit of a reservation about being 60
> feet
> > from the departure end of the runway
>
> The runway parallels the house -- it is not off the departure or arrival
> ends.
>
> But the deck is only 100 feet away.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Hobbes1157]

Jay-
As a member of Green Castle flying club, i might be able to answer some
questions if you have any about the club. I believe that the club would request
you become a member to use the runway. I can tell you that, as you know, we do
get busy during the summer months. Lots of 150's chasing each other in the
pattern Hope to see you at the airport sometime.
-Nolan

[KG]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51>...
> We find ourselves with the rare opportunity to purchase a home with a
> property line just 60 feet from the centerline of a 2400 foot runway.
>
> It's a beautiful home, with almost 2 acres of land. It's got everything we
> could want in a home, except for a hangar. (The hangar that comes with it
> fits an ultralight...) We'd have to add a full-sized hangar.
>
> As we were standing on the deck, facing the runway, watching the planes come
> and go, we started to wonder if the plane noise would eventually start to
> grate on our nerves. If two people were ever made to live with their
> plane, it's Mary and me -- but I thought it might be good to hear from some
> of you who have actually DONE it. Does the "music" of the engines turn to
> aggravation over time?
>
> Can anyone fill in the gaps? What are the ups and downs of actually living
> at an airport?


While in college, I lived less than 50 feet from a railroad crossing
at which they blew their whistle everytime they passed. Even the 2:00
AM train didn't wake me after about the first week.

KG

[Cub Driver]

>Jay, there are lots of good ways to soundproof that house if it comes to that.

Well...

A berm would help, but it would certainly spoil the runway view from
the deck.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

[Ace Pilot]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message

> When a 182 departed, however, it was pretty loud. Of course, I LIKE
> airplane noise, but we started to wonder what taking a nap on a Sunday
> afternoon might be like.

Come on, Jay! Get real! You think you'll actually be napping when you
live next to a runway? You'll be out flying!

Would it be unethical for me to find out where this house is and try
to outbid Jay? Just kidding. ;->

Jay, when you look back 20 years (or more) from now, are you going to
regret not taking this chance? That's how I'd look at the decision.

[Jay Honeck]

> Don't do it Jay! You're going to hate it. I live 450' from the end
> of a runway on a skypark with a constant crosswind and it's awful. I
> can't get anything done. All I do is sit around all day and smile at
> all the free entertainment that goes on all afternoon. I sit there
> with a cheap beer every night on the patio

I was with you all the way until you got to that "cheap beer" stuff....

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> As a member of Green Castle flying club, i might be able to answer some
> questions if you have any about the club. I believe that the club would
request
> you become a member to use the runway. I can tell you that, as you know,
we do
> get busy during the summer months. Lots of 150's chasing each other in the
> pattern Hope to see you at the airport sometime.

So what makes you think it's at Green Castle?

;-)

I spoke with Don at length about the requirement to join -- no troubles
there. Heck, if I had known what I was doing when I moved to Iowa back in
'97, I'd have moved near Greeen Castle in the first place, and been a member
all along.

The only downside of the whole equation (other than timing -- like we need
another project right now) is the damned hangar situation. Leaving our
plane outside is not acceptable, but he says there should be space available
in one of the open-sided hangars for the short-term.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Jay, when you look back 20 years (or more) from now, are you going to
> regret not taking this chance? That's how I'd look at the decision.

I know-- that thought is haunting me.

But we really can't (shouldn't?) take on another project right now, as we're
only about 1/3 of the way through our hotel renovation....
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[G.R. Patterson III]

Cub Driver wrote:
>
> >Jay, there are lots of good ways to soundproof that house if it comes to that.
>
> Well...
>
> A berm would help, but it would certainly spoil the runway view from
> the deck.

I was thinking more along the lines of triple-glazed windows and a layer of 3/8" foam
insulation covered by a second layer of sheet rock on the inside. Has the added
advantage of keeping the house warmer in the winter.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

[Jack Allison]

> I was with you all the way until you got to that "cheap beer" stuff....

Obviously somebody didn't consult with the beer pooh-bah. Hmmm, substitute
"good beer" (by Jay's standards) and I can see you in this story Jay. Gosh,
think of all the fodder you'd have for posting!

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

[Jay Honeck]

> Obviously somebody didn't consult with the beer pooh-bah. Hmmm,
substitute
> "good beer" (by Jay's standards) and I can see you in this story Jay.
Gosh,
> think of all the fodder you'd have for posting!

More than a hotel? Ha!

I don't post 10% of the stuff I see happen around here. You'd be amazed...
(I was! :-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Bob Noel]

In article >, "G.R. Patterson III"
> wrote:

> > >Jay, there are lots of good ways to soundproof that house if it comes
> > >to that.
> >
> > Well...
> >
> > A berm would help, but it would certainly spoil the runway view from
> > the deck.
>
> I was thinking more along the lines of triple-glazed windows and a layer
> of 3/8" foam
> insulation covered by a second layer of sheet rock on the inside. Has the
> added
> advantage of keeping the house warmer in the winter.

having just tried to reduce noise penetration into a room of my house,
let me say that adding sound insulation to existing walls, floors,
and ceilings isn't all that easy. The best results include staggered
2x4s in a 6" wall (so that no stud is in contact with both sides of
the wall) and solid tight doors ($).

--
Bob Noel

[G.R. Patterson III]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> > Obviously somebody didn't consult with the beer pooh-bah. Hmmm,
> substitute
> > "good beer" (by Jay's standards) and I can see you in this story Jay.
> Gosh,
> > think of all the fodder you'd have for posting!
>
> More than a hotel? Ha!

I think he meant more *on topic* fodder for posting. :-)

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

[Jay Honeck]

> having just tried to reduce noise penetration into a room of my house,
> let me say that adding sound insulation to existing walls, floors,
> and ceilings isn't all that easy. The best results include staggered
> 2x4s in a 6" wall (so that no stud is in contact with both sides of
> the wall) and solid tight doors ($).

Yeah, that's the way the hotel is constructed. (Plus double-thick drywall.)

You can have a heavy metal band in the suite next door, and you'll not know
it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Steve Robertson]

Jay,

The bank selling the property is a BIG PLUS. Banks don't like to own real
estate. They will likely sell it to you at a discount. I am a part-time
landlord. The first rental property I bought was a foreclosure. I offered the
bank cash and an early closing date. After a few dickers back and forth, I
bought the property for thousands less than it would be worth on the open
market. Bank made back their loss and got it off their books. I got my first
rental at a good price. Everybody won. So if you want it, get your financing
lined up and make a low-ball offer.

I do agree, however, that resale will be interesting. There are only so many
people out there that want to live on an airport in Iowa. But then, why would
you be selling it anyway?

Best regards,

Steve Robertson
N4732J 1967 Beechcraft Musketeer

Jay Honeck wrote:

> > It's a chance I'd take. I have an uncle who once lived in a house with
> > an active railroad track 30 feet from the bedroom window and did quite
> > well for a number of years.
>
> One huge concern: Ease of re-sale.
>
> This property was seized from the previous owner, who went bankrupt. (Easy
> to see why -- according to my sources, he put as much money into the decks,
> gazebos, hot tubs and additions as he spent on the entire home originally.)
> When his cell-phone business went south, he tried to sell the home (at some
> absurdly inflated value) and was unable to do so before the bank foreclosed.
>
> The bank is now selling it -- another down-side.
>
> My fear is that most people would not see having an active runway 100 feet
> away as a selling point.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[BllFs6]

Another observation that no one has discussed (I think)....


Ignore the airport part....


Do you reallllyy like the house?

Is its location (ignoring the runway next door) realllly where you want to
live?

And given that it might be a little hard to sell at a later date due to the
airport....how sure are you that you and your job are going to stay in the
general area for a good while?

Even though there might not be anything inherently bad about living next to an
airport (for you) and that it might actually be a really good thing.....dont
let that factor overwhelm any other considerable negatives.....for example a
really long crappy drive to and from work.....living far from all your friends
and family....or a house you really dont like and cant fix it up the way you'd
like to.....because those negatives (and possible others) will grate on you day
after day after day and if they are bad enough the perks of the runway next
door wont compensate enough in the long run...

Not trying to be negative...just some food for thought!

But, the chance sounds great to me :)

take care

Blll

[Jay Honeck]

> Do you reallllyy like the house?

Yes. It's a wonderful home, that has been vacant for almost two years
throughout the foreclosure and divorce action the previous owner endured.
As a result, the property has "issues" that must be dealt with which will
take time and money to correct -- but the property itself and basic
structure of the home are everything we could ever want.

> Is its location (ignoring the runway next door) realllly where you want to
> live?

This was the surprising aspect. Even though it's well out in the county,
it's only 4 minutes from I-80. Thus, it's just 14 minutes from the hotel --
which is about how long it takes me to drive there from our current home.
Because of the freeway, we're no further from major shopping than we are
now. (Food and sundries are another issue.)

> And given that it might be a little hard to sell at a later date due to
the
> airport....how sure are you that you and your job are going to stay in the
> general area for a good while?

Well, that's a big part of the equation. Our hotel biz continues to grow
nicely -- but you can never, EVER predict anything in business. A god-danged
Mc Hotel could open up right next door, and kill us next year.

There are absolutely no guarantees in life, that's for sure.

> Not trying to be negative...just some food for thought!

Trust me, Mary is a trained scientist. We have been doing this agonizing
self-analysis all week.

(Me -- I'd have bought it the first day I saw it! :-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Cub Driver]

On Wed, 07 Apr 2004 14:43:27 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>This was the surprising aspect. Even though it's well out in the county,
>it's only 4 minutes from I-80. T

That makes it extremely convenient for those of who who drive NORDO
aircraft and are therefore likely to visit you by highway.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

[Jay Honeck]

> That makes it extremely convenient for those of who who drive NORDO
> aircraft and are therefore likely to visit you by highway.

Yep. Fly west down I-80, and turn right at the power lines!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Ron Lee]

So Jay might be able to entertain his fly-in buddies?

How ya doing buddy Jay?

Ron Lee

[Brien K. Meehan]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message news:<Rmjcc.192620$Cb.1733354@attbi_s51>...

> My fear is that most people would not see having an active runway 100 feet
> away as a selling point.

Probably true, but some people would. You do.

[marc]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:yZccc.190286$Cb.1727600@attbi_s51...

Funny, I was just pouring over different airparks last night thinking about
a potential retirement spot.

I live next to a railroad line and get freight and passenger trains rumbling
through several times and hour. I am also directly under the flight path to
the local airport, and about 300 ft. away from a major highway. This is a
lot of vehicle noise. But I barely notice it and it just becomes part of the
background.

And who takes naps on Sunday afternoons anyway? You are supposed to be out
flying.

[marc]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:9Ngcc.189848$_w.1874169@attbi_s53...

> The runway runs at an angle along the western border of the property.
The
> home's property line starts 60 feet back from the centerline of the
runway.
> The deck of the home is another 40 feet or so back from there -- so when
> you're sitting on the deck, the wingtips are less than 100 feet away.
It's
> VERY cool.

This sounds a little like Rochester Airport in New Hampshire. At one end of
the runway is a house owned by an airplane enthusiast and collector. There
is a taxiway from the runway over to his house. His house features a hanger
on one side and a control/observation tower on the other. Often you can spot
a restored Grumman Goose or some old Lockheed transport parked in his front
yard. He apparently donates/lends some of his restored planes to the
Smithsonian.

You do have a restored Grumman Goose don't you?

[Cub Driver]

On Sat, 10 Apr 2004 12:46:48 GMT, "marc" > wrote:

>This sounds a little like Rochester Airport in New Hampshire. At one end of
>the runway is a house owned by an airplane enthusiast and collector. There
>is a taxiway from the runway over to his house. His house features a hanger
>on one side and a control/observation tower on the other.

And the hangar portion is also a very sophisticated workshop. When I
visited there a few years ago, the owner had a Air National Guard
mechanic working for him, so as to help complete a Sikorsky amphibian.
It was once a museum, until the owner realized he could have more fun
if he kept the public out and grooved on his airplanes full time.

The "control tower" as I recall is on the ridgeline, and you access it
by going up a (spiral?) stairs from the living room. A nice place to
have a G&T in a summer afternoon and watch the planes come and go.
(Except that there aren't a whole lot of planes going in and out of
DAW.)

I lived just across the road from DAW during WWII, on an estate
belonging to a local magnate. It was his son who built the airport,
called Skyhaven, as a Civil Air Patrol base. It was his contribution
to the war effort, and perhaps to a draft deferment. He is now dead,
and the airport belongs to the state, which would like nothing better
than to get rid of it.


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

[Blanche]

Green Castle? It's listed as 4000 ft asphalt, however. But it's about
12 miles away from IOW.

Scavenger Hunt time!

[Jay Honeck]

> Green Castle? It's listed as 4000 ft asphalt, however. But it's about
> 12 miles away from IOW.

It's 2300 paved, and the rest grass.

We were out-bid on the house, thank God. Although it would have eventually
been a *very* cool place to live, the house was an absolute money pit, with
as many things wrong with it as right. $20K was a starting figure, over and
above purchase price, just to get it habitable.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"
"Blanche" > wrote in message
...
>
> Scavenger Hunt time!
>
>