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Would you do it?
As some of you know, I have spent the last 11 years building my Dream, a grass strip out in the country in Central Florida. So the ones of you that have landed there may be best to comment.
I have been approached by a company that wants to construct a 250', free standing, no guide wire, Cell phone tower on the corner of the 45 acres. The Negative: 500' off to the left of the start of 04 and 500' off to the right, at the end of 20, would be this little piece of metal sticking up above the oaks. The Positive: $20,000 per year of income! I would have to give up on Loooonnnng term lease a 100'x100' fenced area that they maintain. I can still build structures within the "Fall Area" and it doesn't change my agricultural status in that area. The Real question: Would you feel comfortable landing or taking off that close to a structure. It is right at 500' to the edge of my runway? Does anyone know of any other runways, grass or paved, that have an obstruction that close? Would make it easier to locate if you haven't been to the Willies yet! BTW, all ya'll RV'rs are welcome to come land anytime and bring your tents. I have a porta potty on site and a Free flowing Artesian Well that is 600' deep. Turbo and Gary Plinkas have been there many times. |
Well
For $20K a year I would make it work. Thats a nice chunk of change to cover lots of avgas, and fun times. Just my 2 cents.
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Sounds like a great way to subsidize an expensive hobby :D
I land at airports all the time that have trees - not sure i would consider this any different. |
I think I would probably accept that in your shoes, yes. The income will go a long way toward upkeep of the field.
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Unless you're doing ndb approaches into the place, I would definitely do it. It sounds like a strictly vfr operation, and 20k a year is a lot of money. See and avoid The only thing I would be concerned with is a lot of electromagnetic radiation.
Ps- I was a special forces radio operator,and we were trained to use our radio for interrogation purposes. Water boarding would be a day at the beach compared to what my HF radio could do |
Will it be lit? Can you ask them to mark it with something visible like a red sphere of some kind?
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Beacon of light
Pat,
they said there would be a big ole Red Beacon of light on top. |
I assume that $20,000/yr is guaranteed until such a time as they remove the tower. I would also get an estimate on what it would cost to have it removed in case they go out of business and refuse to move it. Have them give you that amount up front as a deposit. Also, consider what that huge structure does to the resale value of your property.
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You might also include language in the lease that absolves you of all liability for damages caused by an aircraft strike, since they are knowingly placing the tower in close proximity to an existing runway. Make them carry a $1M umbrella policy that protects you in that event.
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$1M ain't hardly enough. Really.
Dave |
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