Il Ranch Airfield

The closure was not due to a single major event like an accident or military conversion. It was the result of factors common to small, private airfields in Italy. The primary reasons are believed to be a combination of:
1. **Economic Viability**: The costs of maintenance, insurance, and regulatory compliance for a small aeroclub became unsustainable.
2. **Land Use Change**: The landowner likely found a more profitable use for the land, which is common in the agriculturally rich Po Valley. The land reverted to agricultural use.
3. **Noise Complaints**: While not officially cited, the expansion of residential areas near small airfields often leads to noise complaints, increasing pressure on operators to cease activities.

The site of the former airfield has been fully reclaimed for agricultural purposes. Satellite imagery clearly shows that the land where the runway once existed is now part of a larger cultivated field. The faint outline of the runway is barely visible from the air, but there are no remaining signs of aviation infrastructure like markings, hangars, or other buildings. The land is privately owned and not accessible to the public.

Il Ranch Airfield was a private 'aviosuperficie', a category of airfield in Italy designated for recreational, sporting, and general aviation, particularly for ultralight aircraft (known as VDS or ULM in Italy). It was not a commercial or military airport. Its significance was purely local, serving as a base for the 'Aeroclub Il Ranch'.

Operations included:
- **Recreational Flying**: It was a hub for local pilots and aviation enthusiasts to fly their ultralight and light general aviation aircraft.
- **Flight Training**: The aeroclub likely offered basic flight instruction for ultralight licenses.
- **Social Hub**: Like many small airfields, it was a social gathering point for the local aviation community.

The facility consisted of a single grass runway, oriented approximately 01/19, with a length of about 650 meters (2,130 feet), and likely had basic facilities such as a small hangar or a clubhouse.

There are no known or published plans to reopen Il Ranch Airfield. The prospect of reopening is extremely low to non-existent. The land has been repurposed, the aviation infrastructure has been removed, and the economic and social factors that led to its closure likely still exist or have intensified. Any attempt to re-establish an airfield at this location would face significant financial and regulatory hurdles, as well as potential opposition from local residents.