jbDC9
Well Known Member
O'Brien Airpark
My narrowest paved runway (in a 172) was O'Brien Airpark in Waxahachie, Texas, just S of Dallas. Back in the mid '80s the concrete runway was a mere 1200' x 16'. As I recall it had grass overruns at each end, but I never had to use them. It was a cool little airstrip with cheap gas and was a bit like landing on a sidewalk. I've not been there since maybe '87-'88 but I see on Airnav that it's been expanded all the way out to 2035' x 24'... huuuuge!
My skinny RV runway has already been mentioned, Westheimer Airpark in Houston at 2500x28. It seems the concrete taxiways there are barely wider than the gear track.
Bellville, TX, Grawunder Field (06R) is a fun one, 2480x30 paved, slopes uphill to the north with the south end surrounded by trees. Also previously mentioned is Sycamore in Fort Worth; 3900x30 with houses and apartments close along the east side with a railroad berm/track running close down the west side... what a hoot. The last interesting strip off the top of my head is Lakeview (30F) N of Dallas; Airnav shows 2800x30 but the pavement is so crappy and grass encroached that is seems much narrower.
Perhaps I'm just weird, but I actually prefer landing at these small, funky strips, it's much more interesting than landing on one 150' wide runway after another. Now if it's a gusty, crosswindy day, gimme the wide runway with clear approaches please!
My narrowest paved runway (in a 172) was O'Brien Airpark in Waxahachie, Texas, just S of Dallas. Back in the mid '80s the concrete runway was a mere 1200' x 16'. As I recall it had grass overruns at each end, but I never had to use them. It was a cool little airstrip with cheap gas and was a bit like landing on a sidewalk. I've not been there since maybe '87-'88 but I see on Airnav that it's been expanded all the way out to 2035' x 24'... huuuuge!
My skinny RV runway has already been mentioned, Westheimer Airpark in Houston at 2500x28. It seems the concrete taxiways there are barely wider than the gear track.
Bellville, TX, Grawunder Field (06R) is a fun one, 2480x30 paved, slopes uphill to the north with the south end surrounded by trees. Also previously mentioned is Sycamore in Fort Worth; 3900x30 with houses and apartments close along the east side with a railroad berm/track running close down the west side... what a hoot. The last interesting strip off the top of my head is Lakeview (30F) N of Dallas; Airnav shows 2800x30 but the pavement is so crappy and grass encroached that is seems much narrower.
Perhaps I'm just weird, but I actually prefer landing at these small, funky strips, it's much more interesting than landing on one 150' wide runway after another. Now if it's a gusty, crosswindy day, gimme the wide runway with clear approaches please!
