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06-04-2014, 12:37 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 16
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Flying into Matagorda Island 72TA??
For those that don't know, there is an abandoned airforce base on Matagorda Island. Flying over it en route, I got to thinking about setting down for a secluded beach camping trip.
Not owning a STOL aircraft with massive tundra tires, I started trying to find some information on the condition of the runway, if it was legal, etc...
Very little information is available, but look at this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tVE22o3ZZ8
Runway looks better than some of the "maintained" ones I fly from, and there is another plane (cessna, faired trigear) and a trailer on the ramp! And a wind sock!
I can't find any information about making this a destination. Anyone have the scoop?
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06-04-2014, 02:40 PM
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VAF Moderator / Line Boy
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
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A lot of us used to fly in there decades ago to spend time on the secluded beach. But then folks started getting met by men in black helicopters and flak jackets, so that stopped. Now I understand it is privately owned - if you can find the owners, you might get permission to land. Twenty-five years ago, there was a lot of cactus growing up in the pavement cracks - I haven't looked at the condition for years.
Paul
__________________
Paul F. Dye
Editor at Large - KITPLANES Magazine
RV-8 - N188PD - "Valkyrie"
RV-6 (By Marriage) - N164MS - "Mikey"
RV-3B - N13PL - "Tsamsiyu"
A&P, EAA Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Dayton Valley Airpark (A34)
http://Ironflight.com
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06-04-2014, 05:02 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Watauga, TX
Posts: 148
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Airfield history
This won't help you get permission to land there, but there is some interesting information about this airport (and many others) at the following website about Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields
www.airfields-freeman.com
Then select Texas from the list, on the Texas page select, Corpus Christie - North-east area, then select Matagorda Island AFB
__________________
John Goodloe
RV-8. N6279G
Pay in November
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06-04-2014, 09:04 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 193
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i understand it is private...
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
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06-05-2014, 09:51 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Novato, CA KDVO
Posts: 377
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Check this website
http://matagordapeninsula.com/
I flew over this months ago but did not land. Runway looked usable. Lots of makeshift fishing camps. Super secluded.
__________________
Kyle Gee
Purchased and sold flying RV-6
RV-7 Kit (sold to purchase C150 to train my kids)
Purchased flying RV-7
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06-05-2014, 08:25 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,012
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Private property. Need to be a property owner, or be a guest. Runways (cleared portions) are good. But do not get off the cleared areas.
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06-06-2014, 12:53 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PORT ARANSAS
Posts: 419
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We fly over that base every few days (we are based two islands South of Matagorda), and often see planes there. Our hangar neighbor owns a piece of the island (a fascinating story in itself -- they are owners, but not in the traditional sense with marked boundaries. They are, more or less, squatters.) and flies his C-180 there every week or two.
I'm sure he'd be glad to give us permission to land, but I've never seen any point to it. From the air it appears to be some shipping containers, a few trailers, some ATVs, a boat or two, and not much else.
Mustang Island has a better, cleaner beach, and lots of bars and restaurants. 
__________________
Jay Honeck
RV-8A N14EG
Port Aransas, TX
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06-06-2014, 07:06 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Novato, CA KDVO
Posts: 377
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjhoneck
We fly over that base every few days (we are based two islands South of Matagorda), and often see planes there. Our hangar neighbor owns a piece of the island (a fascinating story in itself -- they are owners, but not in the traditional sense with marked boundaries. They are, more or less, squatters.) and flies his C-180 there every week or two.
I'm sure he'd be glad to give us permission to land, but I've never seen any point to it. From the air it appears to be some shipping containers, a few trailers, some ATVs, a boat or two, and not much else.
Mustang Island has a better, cleaner beach, and lots of bars and restaurants. 
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Kind of what I was thinking...and you can stay at Amelia's Landing.
__________________
Kyle Gee
Purchased and sold flying RV-6
RV-7 Kit (sold to purchase C150 to train my kids)
Purchased flying RV-7
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06-06-2014, 07:34 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 179
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I've landed there with the RV. It's acceptable for an A model, but the apron area has some tank traps
It has a post apocalyptic feel. The beach area is au naturel.
Privately owned as described in Jay's post.
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06-06-2014, 10:10 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
Posts: 10,011
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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... 
__________________
Gil Alexander
EAA Technical Counselor, Airframe Mechanic
Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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