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-   -   Flying into Matagorda Island 72TA?? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=113709)

Jrskygod 06-06-2014 09:04 PM

No and you don't want it to stop either because when the wind stops the heat and humidity are oppressive.

jjhoneck 06-07-2014 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az_gila (Post 886317)
Flew over it 10 days ago. :)

Interesting artifacts just to the east, halfway to the only gray lighthouse I have seen.

Seems like WWII ammo dumps to the north side and remains of Civil War defense trenches to the south side of the island.

They were questions in a type of treasure hunt aerial event.

After 10 days there in Rockport, my main question was "does the wind ever stop?"

15 kts from 140 day and night...:)

The wind here is deceptively benign. It can be blowing at 25, and be no problem whatsoever.

Why? Because it's blowing across 800 miles of flat ocean before it gets here. With no obstructions, or dark-colored land to heat, the wind is absolutely linear, with no turbulence.

We often talk to guests who were hesitant to come because of the reported winds, and assure them that (as long as it's out of the Southeast, as it is 95% of the time), the wind velocity is a non-issue. In fact, we have become so used to it that landing in calm winds feels like we are approaching way too fast.

az_gila 06-07-2014 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhoneck (Post 886573)
The wind here is deceptively benign. It can be blowing at 25, and be no problem whatsoever.

Why? Because it's blowing across 800 miles of flat ocean before it gets here. With no obstructions, or dark-colored land to heat, the wind is absolutely linear, with no turbulence.

We often talk to guests who were hesitant to come because of the reported winds, and assure them that (as long as it's out of the Southeast, as it is 95% of the time), the wind velocity is a non-issue. In fact, we have become so used to it that landing in calm winds feels like we are approaching way too fast.

Yes... I did notice that since the wind direction was so consistent that it always blew directly down the runway, making landings easy. :)

The winds were not a problem flying, but the low clouds were for a VFR pilot.

LifeofReiley 10-27-2014 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don.olandese (Post 885913)
have flown in there a couple of times with the permission of a friend who owns property there. both runways have plenty of useable concrete, no prob there: virtually no facilities otherwise unless you know someone there and make arrangements: not even water. call me at 405-488-5488 if you want and I will put you in contact with an owner who might be able to clue you and give you permission. Don Olandese

We have water... blew our own well a few years back and put in a septic system too. Everything to build with has to barged over. There are a couple of folks that own property that have purchased old barges and will move materials. Nice place, good fishing, bird hunting, pigs and deer. They also swim cattle over for a few months a year to graze the property and they can be a hazard on the runway. :)

LovetoInstruct 03-23-2016 02:57 AM

Which Field Are we talking about here?
 
There seem to be two airfields this thread is talking about. One that is straight east of Port O'Conner that is actually 72TA and is an active private field also known as Pierce Field. Then there is one that is almost directly south (a little west) of Port O'Conner that seems to be an abandoned non functioning field. That one is the former Matagorda Island Air Force Base and looks interesting to land at. I can't find the Airport Identifier for that one though. Has anyone been into that field?

Low Pass 03-23-2016 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovetoInstruct (Post 1064431)
There seem to be two airfields this thread is talking about. One that is straight east of Port O'Conner that is actually 72TA and is an active private field also known as Pierce Field. Then there is one that is almost directly south (a little west) of Port O'Conner that seems to be an abandoned non functioning field. That one is the former Matagorda Island Air Force Base and looks interesting to land at. I can't find the Airport Identifier for that one though. Has anyone been into that field?

The one southeast on Matagorda Island proper used to be part of a national wildlife refuge. According to recent aviation urban legend, you do not want to land there without approval from The Dear Leader himself. Story has it, you may get tagged with harassing or disturbing bird habitat.

Pierce Field, 72TA, is a private airport on private property. Need to be a property owner or with one to land there (legally).


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