Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Air Park

~ John W. Howell

There are several amazing things in Lakeway. One of them is an airport smack dab in the middle of houses and a golf course. The airport was originally used as a landing strip for a ranch. In 1964 a 3200-foot runway was built to support air interests of residents and later expanded to 3,983 feet. It is a private airport and receives no government funds. Operations are supported by fuel sales and landing fees. I hope you enjoy a look around.

Lakeway airpark

Here is an aerial view of the park. There are eight homes that have driveways connected to the runway. They are on the left.

Lakeway AirPark

A ground view looking South.

This is the central building. entrance is by keycode.

A sign explaining the fees. Note that the fee box is by the front door and compliance is the honor system backed up by a camera.

How much for aviation fuel? $4.02 a gallon here. 100 is the octane level and LL stands for low lead. This fuel is good for piston driven engines. Jet fuel is not available at the air park.

Here is a sign with some information about the airport. To the left is the elevation of the field (905 feet) to the right is the airport common frequency. This is used so pilots can communicate their position to other pilots in the area. This airport does not have a controller so awareness of other aircraft is important. The first item should be cause for concern. Deer on the runway are not a good thing. The second indicates this airport is not lighted so operations are restricted to daylight hours only. The third explains the landing pattern has a left hand approach at 1900 feet Mean Sea Level (A measurement against a calculated sea level standard) So, if you are intending to land your approach to the airport needs to be on the left side of the runway and at 1900 feet. If all planes use the same method collesions are avoided. The next advisory says upon take off pilots should stay on the runway heading until a mile away and at least 400 feet (Above the Ground) altitude. Let’s assume the take off heading is 340 degrees the pilot would hold the 340 degree heading until 400 feet AGL and one mile. No touch and go’s which means no practice take off and landings. The last one which says use at own risk is self-explanatory.

The last shot is of an airplane taxing toward the fuel station. Those bright spots on the wing tips are strobe lights. The propeller doesn’t look like it is moving thanks to my super-fast camera phone. You can see the houses located with access to the runway in the background. Way off to the left is a group of golfers getting ready to T-off.

Hope you enjoyed the visit.

 

68 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Air Park”

  4. I’ve heard of homes near a golf course or a helicopter pad, but not near a private runway. I think I’d rather not live there in case someone makes a mistake in landing. They could end up in your living room. Interesting and good pictures, John. 🙂 — Suzanne

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  5. I have a cousin who lived in such a development in Olathe, Kansas. It wasn’t quite so urban, and the runway itself was only for the use of residents, who had their own hangars and such, but it was heaven on earth for the plane owners. This is a neat adaptation, and the fees are beyond reasonable.

    Another friend who lived outside Comfort, Texas, had a private strip on his land with several hangars. His strip was grass, and it was primarily experimental planes that rented hangar space. The strip did double duty as a place for community barbeques. Sometimes, with enough beer, even the aviators flew.

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  7. I’m still hung up on driveways connected to the runway. It’s hard enough backing out and watching for kids, cars, pets, bikers, trucks, and squirrels. Adding planes to the mix seems excessive.

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  8. Wow, I thought I lived close to an airport. Of course, if my driveway backed up to BDL, I’d have to clear a TSA checkpoint on my way to work. I love the history, John, and the explanations. I guess when you’re on a large ranch, in a place as big as Texas, flying might be a good option.Reminds me of “Sky King.”

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  9. I’m not sure I could cope with all the noise from the planes with living so close to a runway, John. I guess it’s for small planes only? Living so close, I’d be on tenterhooks thinking a flight might end up in the garden. Not so bad if you’re visiting relatives who live here, though. Not having to get transport from the airport to your destination is a plus.

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        2. I knew he was a couple strokes back, but like you, I didn’t give him a chance. I thought it was going to be a replay of recent years when he blew it on the back nine. But not today.

          And to think, I didn’t even watch! My son texted me, LOL.

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  16. That was really fascinating, John! To have a private area strip in your living area. That offers a few opportunities:)

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  17. First off… constructed in the year of my birth 😉
    Second off… how crazy to have one’s driveway open up to a landing strip!
    I should hope only experienced pilots hang around this particular joint… those calculations are not to be messed with by any amateurs!

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  19. Thanks, John. I’m sure my cousin John, who is a pilot and owns part of a plane, would love the place, although it is too far from him, at least at the moment. Thanks for the tour!

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