Vrachovo-Gorki Airport

Primarily economic reasons. The airfield was operated by DOSAAF (ДОСААФ - Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Navy), a Soviet paramilitary sports organization. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, state funding for the vast network of DOSAAF clubs and airfields was drastically cut. Without government support, the flying club at Vrachovo-Gorki could no longer afford fuel, maintenance, or staff, leading to the cessation of all flight operations and the eventual abandonment of the site.

The airport is completely abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery of the coordinates (54.923423, 39.225971) confirms its status. The former grass/unpaved runway and taxiways are heavily overgrown, though their outlines are still clearly visible from the air. Any remaining structures, such as hangars or administrative buildings, are in a state of severe disrepair, have collapsed, or have been dismantled for materials by locals. The site is unused and is slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Vrachovo-Gorki was a typical DOSAAF general aviation airfield. Its primary purpose was to provide initial flight and parachute training. Its significance lies in its role within the Soviet system of mass pre-military education. Operations included:
- **Primary Flight Training:** Young civilians, many of whom would later join the Soviet Air Force, received their first flying lessons here, typically on aircraft like the Yakovlev Yak-52.
- **Parachute Training:** The airfield was a center for sport parachuting, using utility aircraft like the Antonov An-2 for jump operations.
- **Glider Operations:** It likely also supported glider training, a common activity at DOSAAF clubs.
It was not a commercial airport and did not handle passenger or cargo traffic. It served as a local hub for sport aviation and as a feeder institution for the Soviet military.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the Vrachovo-Gorki airfield. The cost of restoring the infrastructure (runway, buildings, navigation aids) would be substantial. Given the existence of other active general aviation airfields and the lack of significant local demand, its restoration is considered economically unviable. The site is expected to remain abandoned for the foreseeable future.