I did get a sense of the politics of the airport. I did not share that the managers would like to re pave and do other upkeep but their bosses will have none of it because those folks want it to go away. Very similar to lots of airports where cities grow up around them but this one is particularly beautiful. Will hate to see it go.
If I could be anonymous with this post I would…
The Chapel Hill airport is an endangered facility. Your historical overview is very accurate, but between the lines it is both a university issue (they want to use the land for other purposes), a political (state) issue – they aren’t allocating any money to developing a new law school or research facilities, etc., as well as a local political and community issue. Like a lot of airports the community neither understands it nor wants it. They are “terrified” of the airport because it is so dangerous – you know – the national media histeria every time a plane crashes. It’s irrelevant that more pedestrians have been killed in Chapel Hill in the past 5 years than in the entire 70 year history of the airport… Not to mention that is the airport goes away so will a TON of it’s huge greenspace – all developed and will create traffic issues in this small town with only small roads leading to that area.
Another topic is that you found the manager to be really polite… I wholeheartedly agree. About a year ago the previous long-term manager retired and it’s a whole new attitude out there. The new manager and his staff couldn’t be any nicer.
I hope the airport will stay open for a long time.
George,
I flew into Chapel Hill and spent a couple nights there after LOBO. The airport is very nice tucked into a treed area but with nice surface. Tie downs are on concrete or asphalt pads and when I was there, the place was very quiet. Saw one other aircraft activity when at the airport two or three times during our stay. The manager of the airport is about as congenial as anyone could be. Gas price is reasonable and he will pump for you while he tells you the interesting history of the airport.
It seems that Horace what's his name donated the space for the purpose with stipulation that it never be used for anything else, but the law school and maybe others have been salivating over the valuable property for decades since Horace went to the great pilot's lounge in the sky. About ten or fifteen years ago, the philosophy department (Horace's) made an agreement with the law department to close the airport (presumably Horace was not consulted) to turn it into a new law school campus but the airport still operates and is a great facility. They charge $10 per night for tie down.
I recommend it.
John
On Nov 18, 2013, at 5:46 AM, George Wehrung < gw5@me.com> wrote: Hey Matt,
Just curious about Chapel Hill; My wife and I plan to go there regularly as her best friend lives in Carborro and we were up there not all that long ago helping my father in law move out of his house. And, my wife went to UNC medical school.
I am also from Brenham, Texas (not far from Austin) as we have the family farm out there and ultimately plan to retire there.
My father in law moved to Sarasota FL and plan to visit him as well as the Rooney’s whom we bought our plane from.
Sounds like we have some similar destinations.
I hate to even begin to brag about long lancair flights when I know the King and Queen are out there (bill and sue). My wife and I regularly fly from Chapel Hill, NC to a) south Florida and the Bahamas, b) Austin' TX and c) Aspen, CO in our little 360 that is not purpose built for distance. FL is always non-stop. Austin and back is often non-stop. Our record was Aspen to Chapel Hill non-stop and we didn't even have a good tail wind. It was a 6:10 flight and we landed with an hour reserve.
This bird is an economical time machine. Many times I have wished for better weather detection, FIKI, and more redundancy (like last weekend coming home from Mohonk, NY) but I just cannot beat the economy.
Love my plane. Wife loves her travel flexibility.
Matt
In my Legacy, I flew 710 miles on 37.7 gallons in 3:10 hours with 23.3 gallons remaining in the tanks. Had some tailwind Pink Legacy Ralph Love What would you consider to be "super long range"?
I carry 91 useable which can keep me flying for about 6 hours plus reserve and put me about 1000 nm away from home. Can do this with 600# of people but no luggage.
Would be interested to hear what other ES's are doing.
Longest logged flight has been 4.4 hours and 730 nm. Landed with 26 gal remaining. Made for a long day.
Does anyone know why the ES tanks are so small?I know a lot of people think it's cool to be able to say a plane flies with full tanks and full seats but IMO if pilot + fuel doesn't bring you to gross the tanks are too small. The first time I saw an ES and how big the wings are I thought "Wow, wouldn't it be neat to fill those wings with fuel and make a super long range machine."
I can imagine engineering considerations but I wonder if anyone knows for sure.
Colyn On Nov 14, 2013, at 10:00 AM, James M. Anderson, III P.C. wrote: Greetings: I’m building a slow build ES (Kit # 11), and just learned that the stock 75 gallon fuel capacity can be enlarged to around 90 gallons. Luckily I’m at the stage where I can add a bay without difficulty. I’ve checked with Lancair, and am awaiting some documentation on how to do that, but wanted to check here to see how others have accomplished the modification. My the way, this is my first post, but surely not the last. James M. Anderson, III Anderson & Ealick, P.C. Suite 130 5855 Sandy Springs Circle Sandy Springs, GA 30328 404-255-0319
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