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.
Here is an aerial view of the park. There are eight homes that have driveways connected to the runway. They are on the left.
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.
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Wow, how extraordinary! It looks like a true paradise. I’m so happy for you and the producer. 🙂
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Is quite a place for sure. Thanks, Gwen. 😊
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No controller? Eek! I’v never seen something like this. Thanks for the tour? Happy Sunday!
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Thak you for coming along. 😁
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No comptroller and honor-system payments – they are trusting!
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This is Texas.
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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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It has happened. There was a crash three weeks ago. The plane ended up on a street.
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Yep. That’s what I’m talking about. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Ha ha ha.
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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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Ha haha. I could imagine a BBQ and final approach not being compatable. Thanks, Linda.
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Darn, now everyone knows where my home and plane are…thanks, John! ♥
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Couldn’t keep it a secret any longer, Billy Ray.
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See you at cocktail hour! ♥
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😄
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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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Ha haha. I agree.
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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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A lot of ranches have landing strips. I think you are right about the size.
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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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Yes the worry of having an airplane in the garden might just nix living so close. Thanks, Hugh.
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Thanks, John, for these interesting “Views of the Nighbourhood”, and have a wonderful Sunday,
Pit
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Thank you, Pit
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You’re welcome, John!
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😊
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Those driveways right on the air strip are cool. Imagine waking up and going for a morning fly.
Great aerials, Boss. You take ’em from your hang glider? 😉
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Ha ha ha. Was a photo on the site.
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Just checking . . . 😉
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And holy smokes! Tiger actually did it!
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Amazing. Would not have given him a chance in hell.
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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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Yeah, I didn’t watch either. Just saw it on Twitter.
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This is my favorite blog series of all time, John.
Thanks, brother.
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Thanks, Hook
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Just over the hill from us is Emmett, Idaho. Their runway passes right through the golf course. Water hazards, sand traps, plus air traffic.
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Can you imagine bouncing one off a plane? I wonder if there would be a penelty stroke?
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If it hits the prop, do you just play from the biggest piece?
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That sounds fair.
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Very cool, John! I have a feeling that this landing strip might fuel a new thriller from you!
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It just might. Thank you, Jan.
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Impressive, dear John! Have you already tried to drive a plane? It should be great!
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Many years ago I flew. No more. Thanks, Maria.
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🙂 I got! Well,,, then as a great pilot you can value these pretty jets as museum articles. 🙂 Have a nice week! Good luck with the fence & garden making!
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Thank you, Maria.
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That was really fascinating, John! To have a private area strip in your living area. That offers a few opportunities:)
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Yeah. Makes me want a plane
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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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I think you are right, Dale. Imagine trying to guess at stuff.
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Not for me! 🙂
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Ha haha
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Pretty interesting! I’m not sure I’d want to live off a runway and share a driveway with one, but the system seems to be working!
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If you had an airplane you could taxi right out onto the runway and take off.
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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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Thank you, Olga.
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Way beyond cool!
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Thanks, Greg.
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Beautiful aerial view! That’s so strange to have driveways leading to the runway.
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If you had a plane it would make sense.
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That has to be an interesting selling point for the realtor.
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“Yes Mrs. Jones we don’t charge extra for the aluminum collection potential in your back yard.”
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Lol thanks for the near coffee related accident
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Ha haha. Thanks, Ionia
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This is very interesting. I like the honor system and the eight homes connected to the runway. Wow!
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Me too.
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🙂
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John, I’ve got to say that this is the absolute last thing I expected on a neighborhood tour. You’re the Twist Master even with non-fiction.
So… what kind of plane are you getting? 😉
Mega hugs!
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Teagan. Flying days are over.
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