What's Happening at Big South Fork Airpark

The current Federal Register/Vol.76 No. 53 that was published on March 18th notes, in part, “an interim policy amending and clarifying FAA policy concerning through-the-fence access…permits continuation of existing access… For reasons discussed in the notice, the FAA believes it is neither feasible nor necessary to eliminate existing through the fence arrangements…”

Read the full article

The 2011 airshow season starts off with record attendance at the Sebring Aviation Expo. Chairman Robert Wood tells our Bill Armstrong that Saturday they had record attendance. Good sign for 2011!

The FAA’s revised draft policy on residential through-the-fence access (RTTF) puts forth “a much better treatment” of the issue than earlier proposals, AOPA said in formal comments submitted Oct. 25.

AOPA also continues to point out that the policymaking now in progress on RTTF gives the FAA an opportunity to consider the larger question of encroachment of airports by nonaviation-related development—a problem which imposes tremendous operational and economic constraints at many airports.

The FAA issued its draft revisions in September on RTTF, which gives aircraft owners with homes adjacent to public-use airports access to taxiways and runways from across the airport boundary, such as at residential airparks. RTTF access currently exists at approximately 70 of the 3,400 airports that are eligible for federal airport improvement funds under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).

The draft policy would allow airports with existing RTTF operations to continue or expand them, provided that the airports can meet specific criteria. The draft policy does not allow new airports to provide for RTTF access.

AOPA issued preliminary comments on the revised rule on its publication in September, and continues to urge the FAA to reverse the prohibition on new RTTF access.

“In general AOPA believes that the updated policy is a much better treatment of existing Residential Through-The-Fence access than the previous draft compliance guidance letter from October 2009,” wrote AOPA Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy Greg Pecoraro.  He commended the FAA for “carefully and thoughtfully examining the input provided by the aviation community and for making field visits to better understand the nuances of RTTF access as it exists today.”

Read the full AOPA article,

Big South Fork Airpark attended the American Bonanza Society Annual Convention in Buffalo NY last week. We enjoyed meeting all the folks that attended the show and who came by the booth to learn about the airpark. In the picture we have Will “BA” with Chuck and Jackie Lanza from Memphis TN who came by the booth to talk about airpark property.

“Wings Over the Big South Fork” air show was a great success. Despite a few showers, the weather was nice and the company was even better. The airshow features professional air show performers, historic WWII and military aircraft, and recreational and business aircraft.

All of us at Big South Fork Airpark had a great time over the July 4th holiday. Here are some of our residents catching up on the back porch.

We would love to hear about your July 4th. Please feel free to leave a comment!

Big South Fork is proud to announce the completion of Phase 1 and properties available for sale! Our roads are in. The Welcome Center is finished. There are several completed homes and even more under construction. Underground utilities include county water and sewer, power, natural gas and fiber-optic DSL.

Airparks, or fly-in communities, are usually privately owned and specifically designed around an airport. Residents can come and go using their own airplanes, while enjoying convenient access to hangars and the airpark runway. Inspired by a love of flying and the pure beauty of the Big South Fork country, Gary Gallagher, Bill Armstrong and Tom Donald of the Big South Fork Airpark began planning the community in 2006. According to Bill, “When we first laid eyes on this property, we immediately knew what we would be doing for the next 10 years. This place is a perfect fit for the aviator, the equestrian, and anyone who loves the outdoors.”

The Big South Fork Airpark has enjoyed early success with over 19 properties and homes sold or reserved in the initial development phase. However, houses at the peaceful community are still available, and work on the next phase has already begun. With the announcement of phase one completion, all infrastructure and amenities are in place, including fiber optics, natural gas, city water and sewer, roads, hangars, airport access, equestrian and hiking trails, equestrian training areas and stables. Every current and future home site has easy access to all of the exciting activities in the area. By setting strict rules about how and where homes could be built, the community has worked hard to leave the environment intact, preserving its natural beauty for the residents, while providing the luxury of modern facilities.

One of the most unique features of the Big South Fork Airpark Community is that it also offers a full-care, full-boarding equestrian facility, truly catering to aviation and horse enthusiasts alike. The 450 acres of the BSF Airpark connect directly to 180 additional miles of horse trails in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

BSFA offers 1-3 acre home sites, starting at $99,000. Two personal hangars, starting at $95,000, are still available. BSFA grounds total 450 acres and include a 5,500 foot runway with 4 instrument approaches served by the Scott County Airport complete with on-site maintenance facilities and 24 hour fuel. There are endless outdoor activities in the bordering Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area including: camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and river rafting.