Long Island Airpark

What Travelers Love

• Community and Camaraderie: The airpark fosters a friendly and welcoming environment, with residents frequently engaging in social events, holiday parties, and group fly-outs. Newcomers often "fall absolutely in love with the people and the community."
• Lakefront Living with Runway Access: Long Island Airpark offers the unique advantage of having both a lighted turf runway and access to Lake Norman with a seaplane ramp and boating docks, providing "the best of both worlds" for aviation and water-based enthusiasts.
• Dedicated Aviation Enthusiast Hub: It's a haven for pilots and aircraft owners, including many experimental aircraft builders who are active in the local EAA Chapter.
• Private Hangars: A significant draw for residents is the ability to have their own private hangars, seamlessly integrating flying into their daily lives.
• Lighted Turf Runway: The airpark features a 3,000 x 100-foot lighted turf runway for aircraft operations.

Common Complaints/Cautions:

• Unattended Status: As an unattended airport, visitors must call for information and permission to land prior to arrival, as there are no on-site staff or traditional FBO services.
• Undisclosed Powerline Hazard: There are numerous powerlines of varying heights in the vicinity that are not depicted on sectional charts and not marked with orange balls, posing a significant safety risk, with past accidents reported. Pilots, especially those flying low or seaplanes, are advised to exercise extreme caution.
• Runway Conditions and Operations: Pilots should be aware of a uphill slope on Runway 23, making it the preferred direction for takeoffs and landings. Additionally, mowing equipment (tractors) may be present on the runway, particularly on Thursdays, requiring pilots to be vigilant.
• Lack of Commercial Airport Services: The airpark does not offer typical commercial airport amenities like public terminals, security checkpoints, customs, or extensive ground transportation options. There are also no published instrument procedures for NC26.

Long Island Airpark (NC26) is highly recommended for private pilots and aviation enthusiasts seeking a close-knit community and direct access to both land-based and seaplane operations on Lake Norman. However, its unattended nature and specific hazards like unmarked powerlines and runway slope necessitate thorough pre-flight planning and caution.