Comments through Aug 20

Since the State has dropped the private airport inspection program, the local governments are reluctant to approve new private airports. I would be interested to hear how many new airports have been approved without the backing of the State Aviation Department, and how many local governments feel they are alone and taking all the liability for new airports being approved. One tier of the aviation process has been eliminated. As old airports close, new airports will find it very difficult to be approved for a Conditional Use Permit
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Our airfield is generally a club operation supported by the landowner and his property development company. The concerns we see are proper maintenance to maintain the condition of the main runway without increasing maintenance costs any more than necessary. We would enjoy any advice on mowing equipment, fertilization, pest control and leveling procedures to correct changes in the surface. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to your study.
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Since I sold my Pitts, the runway doesn't have as much traffic and I have less inclination to irrigate, etc. My partner does still fly in and out and we do have moderate ultralight traffic. The soil for our runway came from a road realignment project and between the incredibly poor quality of the soil and several years of drought, it has been very difficult to get the turf runway we want. I do believe that we could use the soil on our runway as a herbicide, since even weeds don't like to grow on it! Making progress though!
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When runway built, deliberate crowning of runway for drainage. Pulls with chain/fence for grooming, helps with ant mounds. Uses Auburn University for free soil samples.
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We are in the process of getting bids for a sprinkler system to be installed in stages. Most of our problems are caused by lack of water.
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Burns grass off each February when dormant, finds it grows back better after that. Grass is mowed using a hay mower, hay picked up and bartered for mowing services with horse farm. No clippings left on runway, finds this helps quality of turf.