Local News - October 2003

Community celebrates with elemental engines

Earth, water, wind and flyers

By AMY WADSWORTH, Staff Writer

————————————

Airplanes have the right-of-way on residential streets at Long Island Airport, a premiere fly-in and boating community on Lake Norman.

Saturday afternoon the development saw more than its share of seaplanes and aircraft at the community’s first Splash In Fly In event.

“It is our first event doing this,” said developer Jeff Reynolds. “We hope to make it annual.”

People from all over the eastern United States came to participate in what they love best, flying airplanes. Everything from float planes, to seaplanes to land aircraft was a go at the event.

Local airport staff from 25 airports including Lincolnton, Concord and North Wilkesboro were invited to the event, as well as 35 different Experimental Aircraft Associations from as far as Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia.

“We are trying to make this a bigger airport community,” said Jill See, who lives and works in the community. “We have sold 50 percent of the lots so far.”

The community offers a private lot where residents can have a boat docked out back and an airplane resting in a hangar.

Charlene Roberts, of Mooresville said she was excited to be at the first time event.

“I have never seen an area like this before,” she said. “A lot of people are interested in communities like this and I am happy to see something like this in such a small area.”

Steve Griff, a partner with Reynolds, said they built these types of lots to have the best of both worlds.

“You can have the lake on one side and an airport on the other,” he said. “All the roads are private and you can taxi up the runway.”

Griff said the North Carolina Department of Transportation contacted them to see if they would hold a Splash in Fly in event.

“We want to attract people who are sharing the same interest,” he said. “We hope to attract more people for next year.”

Sue and John Knapp traveled to the event from Bath, NC – a four hour drive.

The Knapps brought their float plane which John built.

“Once you go on a float plane you will never go on wheels again,” Sue Knapp said. “It is the fastest seaplane offered on the water.”

The couple came to see the community and what it had to offer.

“This is such a beautiful area,” Sue Knapp said. “This lake seems like it would have a lot to offer as far as water activities.”

For more information about the Long Island Airport community go to www.longislandairpark.com.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions