Building the Friendliest Airport in the Country | PateyAviation
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- Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2023
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Cool. A public plane watching area, playground and coffee shop would be truly friendly. Something that doesn’t require security access just to sit and watch planes.
And a live cam directly down the runway centerline would be cool 👍🏾.
A grassy mound to sit/lie on with a view of the runway to watch the landings.
Aircraft themed playground would be amazing with some old fuse's for kids to play pilots in, would certainly spark the next generation.
And a resting room and a sandwiches and panini's and dolphins
Came here to say this.
DEFINATELY.
I've always disliked going to airports and not being able to see approaches and takeoffs. Even in some outdoor or even VIP lounges ALWAYS have something in the way of watching planes.
As someone else also replied, a large grass mound or even a second floor on a middle building with 360° view with the local radio channel on speaker would be cool.
I got the tour...this is going to be GREAT! A model of cooperation for ALL other GA airports. Jb.
What I hate about many airports, and love it to be fixed, is the fact that none-aviation people are not there. I want them to come out, for coffee, restaurants, plane spotting, just generally hang out and mingle with us so that they can discover the fun and societal contribution of aviation. Like you said, Mike, many people are just so removed from it. In our town, majority of people don’t even know we have an airport, despite it being pretty active.
Mike, as an airport firefighter, I would absolutely LOVE to see you lead the way in airport safety with your new project. You have the ability to make major change across the nation. The FAAs requirements for airport firefighting are an absolute joke and are going to get people killed, firefighters and aircrews. We as airports follow every NFPA standard with regards to safety with essentially one exception, manpower. It’s even worse in GA where we don’t even require ARFF like a 139 field. Fire trucks going to calls driver only, or worse airports that staff with maintenance or operations personnel are literally checking a box. They are unable to affect even a basic rescue during a crash and are purely just waiting for the cavalry to arrive from outside the fence. I would love to talk more but please prioritize safety. Hire a fully staffed ARFF department that meets or exceeds the NFPA standard. Show these airport executives nationwide that this isn’t the place to save on budgets.
This sort of thing excites me to no end. I’m a young pilot and have only been in the GA world for a few years now, and even though I’ve done my fair share of cross country flying (literally across the country and just 50nm+ “XC”) I’ve always felt a sort of imposter syndrome at every FBO I go to cause I’m not a middle aged/older rich man in a brand new jet/turboprop. I’ve always felt like a sort of outsider in a world I know I’m a part of, and I know I’m not alone in feeling this. I think building communities like this will be EXCELLENT for younger pilots like me who are trying to find their footing in the world of GA.
Please don't forget about us regular guys. Make part of it affordable for those of us that saved & spent our life savings on our small backcounty capable planes. Your idea sounds great & I fully support it but it sounds as if it may end up primarily for the deep pocket high roller types. Most of general aviation are people that push themselves financially to feed their passion for aviation. Please include some no lead aviation fuel too!
Thanks for bringing up No Lead! So many GA aircraft dropping lead vapor all over the countryside bums me out just a tad.
That's the gist I get as well. Something for the half million dollar plus plane crowd.
Exactly. If General Aviation is to really continue, it must again become and remain affordable for the little guy. I suspect, though, that the continued privatization of America that has been happening since the '80s will continue to push out the little guy in favor of the wealthy---in aviation and all other aspects of society.
So true
Shade hangers for those that don't have the funds for a full hanger, cook out area, and a playground for kids! Love this project!
Love the ideas from slottoauto and others! Great idea for the shade hangers!
rich people only, sorry
Gotta have a raised observation deck for non flying families to watch all the new takeoffs and landings. Good luck and much success with the project.
yes, a hangout area for planespotting!
Something that would make an FBO really great is comfortable sleeping quarters when bad weather moves in (common this time of year) and you need to put the safety of you and any passengers FIRST. Maybe that's a hotel within walking distance. Maybe there are some tiny rooms with single beds. Anything to encourage people to not risk trying to beat the weather because there's no place to sleep or wait it out.
Seems like some fold down cots on the wall in the hangar might solve that
Hey Mike! I always look for GA camping whenever I am traveling in my Pacer!
A camping area would be great!
This is a playground for people with tons of cash. Great way to network with fellow elites.
I want it affordable for regular pilots to come to, not just the ones with big wallets. Usually the ones with big wallets are snobs that want their own country clubs for them and their Ferrari driving friends. General aviation is the kid flying a C150 to build hours, an older guy flying a Stinson. The pilots that love to fly and it costs them a sizable portion of their income to fly their dream older plane.
I'm not sure it should even be called "General Aviation" at this point.
I fly a powered paraglider and many airports are trying so hard to squeeze us and other ultralights out. We often have to bring in the FAA to read them the riot act. So, please find ways to make this ultralight friendly. Have a way for us to drive our gear in and have a safe place to take off and land.
Couldn't agree more
Agree!
as a ppg pilot, hell yeah brother!
I’m not sure where you’re at, at X35 next to Ocala FL, we welcome them
@@JoeRendaRealty , I’m in the SF Bay Area. We’ve gotten some airports to (begrudgingly) cooperate (E16), some are awesome (1Q4), and some are putting up a big fight (O69) and trying to put in roadblocks before letting us fly…like we have to give them 3-days notice before they will let us in.
As an “old flyer”, I say YES YES and YES!
Everything you have said is what I have been perceiving since “9-11”. Virtually all GA airports had open access, welcoming everybody. This all changed from 9-12 onward. They became fences-off, gated “country clubs” opened to their “members”, and to no one else. The aviation camaraderie of the 60’s 70’s and 80’s is all but gone. The “airport kid” is non-existent. If you’re not recognized, you’re suspected. Thank God I was born in the mid 1940’s
Rant Over ………. (Whew) !
If only I had been born into that era. Wow, not to despair though, now I’m on my city’s airport bord and will make a difference for the next generation!
Hey Mike, I think a little campground where you could park a camper or a 2-6 seater in a campsite would be really cool. You could limit the number of campers or airplanes to a certain amount so that it's fair for most and make exceptions as they come. I know a lot of people that want to go airplane camping and would want a more established spot to do that
Just awesome Mike. For those of us wannabe pilots from far away, I.e. Australia, it would be awesome to have your business park re-created in Microsoft Flight Simulator so we all could virtually fly in and visit. All the very best with this project and looking forward to watching the progress.
VR touring should be a priority. Live interaction with folks actually there... Back to fun...
Could upload different plans to MFS and your audience could vote on a design.
Grass airplane parking with tent camping. RV hookups somewhere? ❤ you guys!
@@Stinebaugh1 Yep, and if zoning allows, put sleeping quarters in the hangars on request so if someone comes in for a week of playtime, they have a place to sleep instead of having to get a hotel.
I think having a quality Sim or two in the mix somewhere would be extremely valuable. It could be used for everything from getting someone into GA to training and proficiency.
I just typed the same thing!
Awesome Mike! My suggesting is for amazing food! Nothing brings pilots together more than food ... a couple of restaurants with a variety of options, something for everyone! Will you have hangers with apartments inside? Basically, studios, or even one/two bedroom small stay-over options for us where this would be an enroute stop? That would be a complete game changer!
Yup. Lufkin Texas Municipal has a diner. People go there for the diners hamburgers alone. Popular with local truckers.
As for sleeping. They have 1 closet size area with a plastic bunk platform & chair. Lysol on a table with lamp. Big enough for a Coleman air pad.
There used to be a porter. But he passed years ago. Shame that position was forgotten & neglected. Great for a homeless veteran.
@@hoppermantis7615 -Do they still produce the chocolate covered peanut butter treats? Haven't been to KLFK Angelina County Airport since I picked up Dixion "Ravyn Dixon" and flew him to a recording studio in Tennessee. Barley Leiderman was the airport manager back then.
There will be a great restaurant on the second floor of the FBO overlooking the landing zone for runway 30.
The garage should also be part-time residences! People want to be able to spend the night and not have to get a hotel. Use the RV, then sleep before flying out in the morning
I know some folks in Woods Cross that are doing that (allegedly). I agree that having a place for pilots or maybe even couples could sleep while waiting out weather would be a HUGE benefit to landing there as opposed to other airports. If I was worried about IMC but needed fuel - I'd want to stop somewhere that I wasn't worried about having a place to sleep.
Ultimate mancaves! There is a need for a place for single or divorced gentlemen to have a hanger with maintenance and living space.
Agreed!
Totally agree!! I
I think the code requirements might be different or more expensive. You might be better off having a couch that turns into a nice queen sized bed
Hey Mike! I am a team HorizonHobby pilot, and one of the many joys of flying for horizon is getting to touch the hearts of the youth when they first find their love of aviation. Our Mini Draco is so many people's favorites! I know full scale and RC don't always mix, but I have 5 years experience flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. I would suggest a model aircraft park semi local to the airport. If within 5 miles from the airport, We can CERTAINLY build a few RC Training aircraft with hard autonomous geofences to stay within a 3-dimensional location with plenty of safety nets to ensure proper unmanned aircraft confinement. All a student would have to do is sign up, grab a student transmitter and fly an RC aircraft for the first time with an instructor. Next thing you know, they're hooked for life and ready to take a flight at their local FBO! Feel free to contact me if you like the idea, I'd be happy to assist! Huge fan of yours, keep up the amazing work you are doing for general aviation, hope to come fly in when its all built!
That's wonderful that Spanish Fork supports the Airport. Here in Torrance California, the city is trying to get rid of the airport by landing fees(Not implemented, but in discussion) and strict noise abatement procedures. I only wish that our small airport (KTOA) had the energy of a person like you who is passionate about GA to allow our town to become as involved in GA as your town is. Thank you for the enthusiasm and innovation that you bring to the U.S GA community. - Dylan
Not enough ink in my pen to list out the drawbacks to CA politics and attitude of CA Politicians.
@@thwwoodcraft1449 it is 100% NIMBY, has nothing to do with political parties. NIMBY is why HOA exists.
I'm sure that global warming will be the cherry on top excuse to close it. The added tax base of the 10 thousand condos to be built is an added incentive.
I love doing cross country’s to Torrence. Beautiful flight from Palomar.
Because the land is more valuable to a developer so they can plop McMansions on it and make money money money. Also, the developer that ends up with the winning bid is always connected with the mayor/city council somehow. Corruption, plain and simple.
Mike,
Great project! As a retired controller non-pilot but still with an interest in GA I think a small ATC Tower mock up would be great at your facility. With CTAF frequency monitoring as well as a simulated RADAR scope displaying live data from FlightRADAR24 would be a great addition.
Really like the idea of the fire pit/bbq area in the green space. Might be worthwhile to have a rotunda with electricity outlets so that bands can be brought in and mini events held as well.
Skating rinks indoor and outdoor with live bands... Back to fun...
Having the hangar set up as a sort of museum would be awesome
A place to stay the night in all weather conditions and a great coffee shop!
I hope you can do some affordable smaller hangars as well. Waiting list around KSLC, and the general area is 3-5 years so for those of us who would like to buy a plane but have no place to store it if we bought one, it would be worth the 45 minute drive. Maybe one day, you guys can create the Oshkosh of the West.
THIS!
I fly a lot of model rc aircraft out of the Saratoga Springs r/c park. One thing I really like about that hobby is how it gets a bunch of aviation geeks together to experience aviation at a different scale. I think if we had a park closer to the airport (since at the airport would be too risky) it could be a fun activity to bring together a lot of aviation enthusiasts into one area to just have fun.
This! Rc is also a part of aviation. It is so much fun in a different way. If this is going to be best ga airport it needs to have a place reserved for rc.
I’ve worked at several places where us AMEs flew indoor foamies at the airport…in the hangar after we pushed the planes out for the day.
Yes. Peach state aerodrome has an rc runway next to it and restaurant. Makes for great experience. 👍🏾
One hangar would make an excellent indoor flight area. Maybe an RC experience area for those that can't afford the full size planes yet. I can only imagine how interesting a collaboration with Mike's friends at #horizonhobby or even the aviation fanatics at #flitetest would be.
@@gpaull2 I completely neglected that indoor rc flying is a thing. That's a good idea.
An airport must have stuff to keep the kids entertained while I spend hours working on airplanes!
As a teenager, my best buddy and I would pack a paper bag lunch and have mom drive us to KSDL-Scottsdale airport back when it was REAL small, (think late 60's early 70's). We would spend most of the day watching aircraft take off and land. Later my best buddy became an ag pilot after his dad, and although I flew a little, marriage, kids, and career became an obstacle and I lost a little interest. I watch your channel and spend probably an hour or two every day watching flying videos and dreaming of owning my own aircraft. Having a Patey Aviation Airpark in, my dreams to inspire future aviators, as well as cater to current aviators would HAVE to include a restaurant facing the runway, with AWESOME, affordable food, (not just bar food). Also, a grass area to walk your dog after a flight, a playground for the little aviators-to-be, and public seating for non-pilots to watch as I did as a kid. As well as the usual you covered, FBO, fuel, A&P, and a large parking area for events. A BBQ area would be great too. Best wishes to you and your partners! It will be sold out by the end of 2024!
I'm so excited about this project. We have already signed up to get a hanger to make the Patey Aviation Business Park the home of Rusty Pilot Club. Such an awesome project and Spanish Fork City is great!
Sounds to me like you've committed to shinning up... Congratulations... Back to fun...
I love this vision. You have the energy for it. The single biggest problem I run into with GA is the cost to entry. I can't afford to get a PPL, let alone a plane of any kind or especially a second plane just to park there. Maybe some day I could afford to drive there and watch other people having fun. Please do videos to keep everyone up-to-date on how the process is coming along. I *really* would love to see the progress in (near) real-time.
Honestly a co-working spot at an airport would be amazing. I love aviation and there is nothing more inspiring than watching general aviation all day.
Congratulations on this massive undertaking! My suggestion is add a camping area. For the last 18 years, I've taken HVAC technicians and installers camping and we do our technical training outdoors. I found that being comfortable as a student really increases their retention. Or put another way, the mind can only absorb what your butt can endure.
Great ideas Mike; as a pilot for over 50 years I find most FBOs think they are doing me a favor by waiting on me, instead of appreciating the business. And of course our inept government has stopped so much access to our airports by anyone interested it has hurt general aviation. A nice airplane camping area with appropriate facilities would be great, and an informal restaurant with no French Chef and no $45 hamburgers😀
Lufkin Texas municipal airport. Best burgers ! 🍔 😅
You’re not wrong about loosing small air ports. As a retired truck driver some of these were my stops for restaurants that were really good food. And some were great over night parking as well and I could have a great meal to start my day. Great idea 💡
Off the hook food flown in fresh daily... Back to fun...🤣🤣🤣
Hello from Australia. As a GA pilot for 35 years, Mike Patey actually brought tears to my eyes. I've never seen anything like this proposed. Theres a few great airpark communities in the US but they frequently don't allow outsiders. This proposal is a game changer. I know the USA inimately, I've been there at least 30 times, and flown GA in dozens of states, but Grand Fork, Salt Lake City etc has never really been on my radar. It is now. I will definitely be visiting on my next trip. Now what needs to be done? If the lokal government (do you call them the local council?) can get on board, make the region desireable........people will come. That will attract further investment.
This will be a club for elitists. Outsiders will never step foot in this facility unless they are mega wealthy.
@@Watchdog_McCoy_5.7x28 I understand what you're saying. Just owning an operating a plane puts you in a different ($$) category from the rest of your neighbors. And let's face it, just maintaining these awesome metal birds takes a lot of money which eliminates most potential owners. The patties are doing everything they can to bring people into GA. I think that's wonderful and is a great model for the rest of the country!
@@Watchdog_McCoy_5.7x28 private flying usually isn’t a bunch of poor people, but I’m not sure it will be only ultra wealthy.
Love your ideas! Hopefully this will start other communities to follow improving airports. As a student pilot, I always feel like an outsider until I started flying. This is great!!!!!!!
Mike, I haven't watched much of your personal content before (your antics well documented with Red Bull, Flite Test, etc) - but was lured in by the title, awash in positive vibes 5 seconds in, and now impressed beyond words (and a tang of guilt). Philanthropist aviator? Successful nice guy? My mind is blown, and I hope your endeavor brings those you want to serve the intended peace of mind, relaxing atmosphere, and to you, Sir, the satisfaction of having done a service for _Good._
While I'm not successful enough for the J3 or A5 of my dreams, (I'm living the Pt 107 life), I can attest to the want for a place like that. No matter the size of one's wallet, we all seek a place to gather with those of like mind, and after hearing of the fees incurred with Las Vegas transits recently, this is a real breath of fresh air - good news, if you will. What a freaking _Unit!_ Good Luck, and God Speed.
One idea I'd submit, is a service for owners to have their investments filmed professionally, in a controlled, safe manner. I think many owners would love the idea, and there are plenty of 107's (Nerds!) out there that would chomp on that bit for an opportunity to provide aerial footage of those birds. Way down here in Florida, I've been asked by strip owners to do so on a case-by-case basis, but never on the scale of an operation like _that._
Time to dump a few more loose bills into my Horizon Hobbies Draco wish box, almost there!
Such a cool idea, I'm very excited to see this turn into a GA haven. Dooley would have loved it. Some things/ideas I'd like to see: GA friendly parking, GA friendly FBO with oil and common items available for sale, secure but easy access, good transient parking, on airport camping. Easy access for people to fly in and do fun things nearby. Maybe e-Bike rentals, a good courtesy car. Partner with the local hotels and other businesses to have a shuttle service. Hopefully it can have an annual airshow and STOL competition.
EXACTLY - At a minimum do the above Mike and you will have succeeded!
Contact FSS, and be asked what temp you want your latte, and what color rental e-bike you'd prefer. Yes please.
Hi Mike. One of my favorite things to do is share flying with people who think it’s cool. As a kid, all I wanted to do was watch planes. Some of the most memorable moments were when I connected with a pilot with a friendly wave or talking about their plane. Having a place for kids to hang out with their parents, watch and wave at pilots, interact, learn, make friends, and maybe catch a ride one day would be such an asset to the Spanish Fork community. More importantly, this kind of involvement makes friends not only between people, but between the community and the airport.
This isn’t so much an idea as an attitude. This airport is going to be something else, share it far and wide.
Always wave at the kids.
You are the hero that GA needs.
Hi Mike and family,
Maybe you could include a rental car outlet. Hotel shuttle service. Maybe even a close by hotel. Not all kids are going to be excited about aviation. Maybe have a bit of an amusement area to attract their interest. While they are there they just might see something that will spark their interest. Just my thoughts. Thanks for including us all. Love this project. Hope I can someday see its completion.
Thanks
Alex
I like the idea of the free park and hangout areas. I'm sure that'll benefit lots of kids who's parents might not be able to afford a plane themselves.
I am a recreational pilot living in Michigan and was happy to see that KSPK has NO CONTROL TOWER. PLEASE KEEP IT THAT WAY! I am happy to fly miles out of the way to avoid tower controlled fields. And I think a lot of pilots feel the same way.
1. Covered Tie Down Spots with a weather proof large storage bin for covers, small tools, engine heaters, etc.
2. A rule that makes it so hangars can only be occupied by people who actually fly their planes. So you don't get someone using it for cheap RV parking.
3. Wifi - this way you can electronically turn on your engine heater in the winter.
4. Wash Station
5. Electricity close to resident TieDowns
6. Timely snow removal service
7. Every year rotate a 'Charity of the Year' that everyone is encouraged to support in some way shape or form.
I don’t fly (yet) and I don’t even live in the US, but your passion and enthusiasm are so infectious that I’d love to come visit. Thank you for sharing your energy with all of us!
Thank you, Mike, Mark and all the other visionaries that are making this MASSIVE upgrade to Spanish Fork!! You're making Utah the BEST place for General Aviation.
From someone who got his license at KPVU/UVU, I've loved watching your channel grow. I like the idea of having the most affordable av gas in the country. I would also love to see some affordable shade hangers or parking spots for those of us that can't afford a hangar. Even better, let's have your next build be a kit plane that helps bring down the cost of aviation. With your engineering skills I'm sure you could make it happen!
Yes!!!! A truly affordable throwback to the barnstormer days!!
Ambitious, righteous and impassioned. If you Mike and Co, build it. They, we, I will all come.
Please make this happen. o7
Hey Mike, one thing that would be really nice is to bring in an aircraft parts facility along the lines of Aircraft spruce. Maybe a Sporty's, or a Wicks. Some place where EAA members and builders could find those things they need in a pinch without breaking the bank for shipping and waiting for crushed deliveries that look like they were kicked from origin to destination..... What can brown do for you? 🤠
Housing, Mike. Many Fly In communities don't have the room for others, but given your vision, I could see either on airport, or easy access taxiways and stuff for airport homes.
Agreed. The garages should have a small house buildout in 10%, likes the one Hoovie has
Diner with a staple food item everyone from the city comes to get ;) make it friendly to those outside of aviation to see how amazing this community is
This guys making dreams come true. We need more mikes in the world. Less greed. More helping others
This is an awesome idea and I can not wait to visit sometime in the future. I would love to see a hands on area. A place where building workshops could happen, or people could gather and help others with small (or large) on going aviation projects. Blogs, videos, and instruction manuals can only help so much; having a building specific area could be a fantastic asset to a general aviation park
Sounds like a fantastic air park is coming together! Maybe add classrooms/labs like EAA has at Osh Kosh. We need more of those around the country to help kids, and others get into GA.
a public shop for experimental builds and upgrades/repairs as your traveling through would be so cool
A large viewing area with an outdoor deck and maybe a restaurant or coffee shop would be awesome! The perfect landing in Colorado is a good example and is part of the reason I got into flying! All they need is an outdoor area.
At the FBO-
It would be nice to have a room dedicated to ground training/ briefing. Including a Sim/ all FAA flight training books, maybe even a computer with pre-downloaded ground school courses to promote learning.
I will be adding Spanish Fork to my OSH trips from here on out!
This is just awesome! I appreciate the idea of having a place for us pilots to congregate and truly enjoy aviation. But for those non-pilots and people who just love aviation, having an area without security requirements, where the public can watch airplanes, airport movement, and explore separate exhibits.
Truth is that everyone is actually a pilot... Most just don't know it yet! Back to fun...
My local airport has an awesome playground that has airplane themed equipment and a little runway for the kids to play at while they watch the planes take off and land. My children love it. I think it would be an awesome addition to your grounds and I know you would make it better than anyone has ever seen.
The passion in Mike's voice about this project and general aviation...you can tell the man cares deeply.
Sounds absolutely incredible Mike. It's awesome that the city is so eager to support the aviation community and the airport. If only more cities were that way. Keep up the excellent work. Safe skies my friend 🇺🇸🛩️
Hey Mike,
Really excited to see how this grows. Love what you’re doing for aviation!! I’ve already seen a comment or two about a nice viewing area for seeing live action. As a person who likes to go to airports and park to watch airplanes it would be cool if you were able to offer fm or am radio stations to broad cast the frequencies at the airport so casual observers can here what’s going on!!
People like you are what make aviation great!
Love the concept!!! Barndoiniums hangars for travelers to rent by the day or week instead of getting a hotel while passing through. A restaurant on the airport is a big attraction as well as a small store with snacks, drinks, & common travel items.
It would be cool to have some training areas for aspiring pilots. Also areas for kids to come enjoy aviation. Utah is full of families! Make it a destination for dads and their kids
A safety center. Having lost several friends to aviation accidents, maybe a place in the FBO to ask questions or reinforce safe practices while flying in the mountains. It could be an extension of a flight school perhaps.
How about a certified mountain flying simulator!?
Mike and Mark, I'm very happy for you. What a dream come true for you both. Losing my medical many years ago tore my heart out and have not been in the position to build or buy a LSA, and I have had to put my Aviation degree from UVU to use toward other employment. After 10 years, one would think that the pain would subside. It's relentless, haunting and debilitating. I live vicariously through you and hope you are able to keep pushing GA forward. I still dream of someday, buying a small hanger and contributing to GA in some small way. Please, please, don't let your success go to your heads. That's usually when bad things happen. -Clay Provo/Cedar Hills
Great idea Mike. My wife and I just built our dream air park house and hangar and are still working on finishing out the inside of the hangar. Our comments are:
1. A four way fuel station. Nothing worse than having to wait to fuel because the people in front of you are too busy chatting to get out of the way.
2. Make sure that a tug is available at the fuel pump to move your plane to parking. Moving a taildragger or even a 172 after fueling isn’t tough, but after fueling my Saratoga to the top with 107 gallons of gas, it is tough to move. For those of us with fuel injected engines, a tug makes more sense than the hot start that is usually no problem, UNLESS there are people around watching or if you have first time fliers with you.
3. A nice restaurant with a viewing area is a bonus. I would suggest looking at some place like Stearman Field (1K1) and their Bar and Grill or also Gate 12 Restaurant at College Station (CLL) and also Louise at Thaden Field (VBT). A menu of a variety of food and setup to encourage fly-in traffic with parking, priority seating for fly-in traffic, and plenty of view ability of the airfield.
4. A Pilot Shop in the FBO with some stuff pilots really want. Not just oil and funnels, but also things like some handheld radios, ADSB in devices like Garmin GDL 50/51/52 and Stratus devices (just don’t forget some GA pilots don’t use ForeFlight because it only works on Apple). Some things like the cool tie down’s suggest by the OSH folks would be good too, perhaps with some camping gear.
5. Speaking of camping, some area for camping would be awesome. Perhaps enough space for 10 planes, in a grassy area, with tie downs sunk into the ground, so pilots could taxi and park and camp on nice soft grass, but have access to some bathrooms and showers within a nice walking distance.
6 For any ramp parking, suggest low-to-the-ground electrical outlets so people can plug in the engine heaters in the winter. Telluride (TEX) has this and it is awesome.
7. If there is a way to make the side of a building conducive for projecting a movie, is a great way for families to come out in the evenings to enjoy the park area. If you can build in in-ground speakers when building the park, it makes the finished product look more appealing than the typical inflatable screen with an underpowered projector and sound no one can hear.
Those are my thoughts. Hope those are helpful. Good luck!
Coryee and I will make a point to come visit.
Thank you Mike for your passion and commitment to aviation! I really enjoy seeing your drive and your laser focus to make aviation better for not you but everyone.
I love it! How about in larger hangers, have a couple of built in airplane lifts in the corners and or built in winches out of the ceiling to pull planes up.
Visiting Patey aviation park is the newest bucket list item 🤟🏽😎
I think a live multi-cam feed (publicly viewable website) would be great. You can watch fly-ins, check out the local weather, spot all the interesting varieties of aircraft coming & going. And pilots can either grab streams of themselves flying in, or catch their buddies as they come through the area.
A I think a large children's playground around the theme of aviation would be a great addition. Happy children make happy mothers, happy mothers make happy fathers... and a great day at the airport can lead to more pilots being created in the evening
Hey Mike,
This idea is awesome, I love that you are doing so much for general aviation. One thing I have always wished airports had is a place to exercise. This would be great after long legs.
walking, rowing and peddle power for exercise... Pet friendly environment too... Back to fun...
Hey Mike, Great idea and project. I started my flying in the UK, as part of the ATC, I did air experience flights. I’m not sure if they still do them but wouldn’t it be terrific to have a airfield where there was such a facility to let youngsters have their first flight and hands on the controls of a plane at a cost that was affordable to everyone?
Mike patey…. Never a dull moment!
Love everything about Make, his passion, innovation and drive to do better! What I would like in an airport?
1-a place where the non-pilots can enjoy, like a pool or a beach with a nice restaurant bar.
2- a place for a pilot to meet others and organize trips.
3 a place to be able to see airplane buildings, mechanics etc.
4 a call can be made to fuel the airplane, even better is by text message or email.
5 electric scooters to move on the airport?
6 Been able to take touch with an airplane owner, that we might want to try or know more about.
Chub Cay in the Bahamas is very nice!
Mike, THANK YOU to you and your AWESOME team of friends for growing Aviation. It is sad to see these small town Airports slowly going down hill.
A special build hangar for the local EAA chapter to build and grow the culture of experimental aviation.
Okay but can I just move into my own hangar!!!!! Seriously though this is so awesome! We need more of this around the country
I love the idea of a restaurant with an outside deck seating area to meet someone for a meal and watch aircraft at the same time. Or a cool fly-in coffee shop
Heavy D's Dauphine landing... Hopefully he is getting involved too!
Cleetus was flying it, Heavy D was not there but I would be surprised if he wasn't involved
What i wish is that aviation was affordable to get your license or maybe its just my area that makes it so out of reach. Keep up the great work love your videos
As someone that works at that airport, I am very excited. This looks awesome Mike! Always awesome to see what comes out of your hangar!
There would be no greater asset to any airport/airpark than to have the patey brothers a part of it! I’m only an aspiring pilot. But I want to come visit (from Canada)
Just an awesome project! I wish here in Austria would this be possible ….
2nd & 3rd thoughts, (I dont jump) but maybe a skydiving Landing area which could double up as a paramotor facility?
or a winch (on a heavy anchored trailer) at the end of the runway to launch parakites and gliders?
Ive always wanted to own my "own" airport, so seeing someone do it, and the Pateys nonetheless, is awesome. And to get a video series on it is the icing on the cake. Where I am currently, GA is hanging on by a thread and I would love to someday be able to change that. So hats off to the people making this happen. Its just refreshing to see someone invest in making the GA experience nice and welcoming and proper, not a "drive to the back of the airport past junk yards and dilapidated buildings to arrive at a rusty, junk filled hangar" experience. Just make sure that it looks nice from above as well. We need more greenery and nature, not parking lots ;) I hope to one day make that happen in my own country, and seeing this is a sign that its possible.
I would suggest adding some type of ancillary services that are tastefully done, like a cafe or small restaurant that brings people in, maybe an aviation shop with a focus on home simulator equipment sales and even rental simulators that would bring in aviation enthusiasts that dont have licenses for whatever reason. Down the line you could see if an expansion for mechanics services and facilities for flight schools (classrooms, dorms etc) is possible. A proper "bush flying" or float plane flying school with facilities for customers to spend a week or two at would be really cool. Getting ATO licenses is another hurdle, but im sure existing holders would love the opportunity to work with you.
Airplane camping has been one of the greatest experiences I have had in aviation so far. Not entirely sure if it would be possible but having a grass parking area for some aircraft where you can pitch a tent for the night and stay with the airplane would be such a cool addition for a general aviation airport. It would make an ideal travel stop for long cross-country trips.
Mike , this is one of the greatest things I ever seen and heard for aviation. I have a question tho, I come from an aviation family but I don't have any more family left that was into aviation. I am not a pilot or don't own a airplane. Would someone like me would still be welcome to come out and hang out there? I wouldn't be there a lot because I live CA but I will be doing some overlanding soon. Thank you Mike. Take care and be safe.
This is the un-asked question I believe is keeping thousands of people from finding the love of aviation.
a Campground
That's a good idea. Would encourage international visitors like me and all GA budgets
Add a RESTRAUANT like the 57th fighter group restaurant at PDK in ATL.. Fill with Aviation art, tributes to Military Aviation Heros of the past so the public can come to the Restaurant watch planes take off , land and enjoy a great meal and groups can have a meeting place - large dining hall. for birthday parties and conferences!!! Silverwing's, EAA, Dedalions can use!! Make sure all the booths have a speaker so the guests can listen to ATC! KIDS WILL LOVE IT!!! Great Job Patey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How nice it will be for your community! You are an inspiration sir. Your commitment, your drive. Thank you for sharing these with us.
What is the cost of admission ? Most people like me who basicly work to fly and afford an airplane and pretty much nothing else. Nice you are going to cater to the very wealthy pilot, but most general aviation flying is nothing like your vision. Sorry Mike but I beg out of this concept for the wealthy. A cool million + to join in your venture?
General store, adventure playground and a few Mark and Mike Patey backups + families of course! Oh, and I nearly forgot, dreams, dreams for all age's and the whole world!
SPEECHLESS, Love It !!❤
@richardturner6278 mentioned having cheap ones mixed in. It may be cool to have some small units next to the big units so big guys can have a big unit and share the hangout space with a friend,
have a few sets of two hangers sharing a hang out spot.
Will these be funished, or self furnished?
You guys should have fiberoptic and coax, and maybe cat 7 wire to each unit. Talk to your cable company they may do the wiring included with a long term contract..
I know you do stuff right, but it would suck to have each unit with a satelite dish. The dish or cable company can probably make it ready to go.
I hope the hang out space with sinks and stuff is well insulated, and you guys will want minisplits and maybe a propane or natural gas backup heater to keep stuff from freezing. (if you guys do solar with a large battery bank you may be able to get away with just heatpumps, but they're gonna struggle with your winter)
I imagine there will need to be a janitorial crew, and they wont be needed except for the few times it is used.
If you have Best Tug rentals for the people who don't fly very often that could be interesting. (I don't see how this would work unless you just have a few that are spread out between the hangars)
So glad to hear this. Can't wait to see it!
Brilliant! You folks are the Best innovators.
A magnificent undertaking. Of course magnificent undertakings are not new to you and your brother. We need 49 more of you. One for every state.🙂🙂
Man this is special, thank you Mike and Co. It's so refreshing to see those that can doing the right thing for the community and helping to provide support and services to those who love aviation.