Sparta, US 🇺🇸 Closed Airport
US-10307
-
1530 ft
US-MO
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 37.001401° N, -92.940497° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: 54MO
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Approximately between 2014 and 2016. Analysis of historical satellite imagery shows the runway was clearly defined and maintained through 2014, but by 2016 its outline had become faint and it was no longer being maintained as an active airstrip.
The exact reason is not publicly documented, which is common for small, private airfields. However, the closure is presumed to be due to private factors. Reasons for such closures typically include the owner selling the property, the owner's death, retirement from flying, or the prohibitive cost of insurance and maintenance. There is no evidence to suggest the closure was due to a specific accident, military conversion, or the failure of a commercial enterprise.
The site is now private residential and agricultural land. The former north-south grass runway is no longer functional and has reverted to a simple field or pasture, though its faint outline is still visible in satellite views. A building at the north end of the former strip, likely the original hangar, still stands and appears to be used as an outbuilding for the private residence on the property.
Ozark's Flying Patch Airport was a privately-owned grass airstrip serving the general aviation community. Its name, 'Flying Patch,' suggests an informal, recreational character. For several decades, it was depicted on the Kansas City Sectional Aeronautical Chart as a private (Pvt) field. Its primary function was to provide a base for the owner's personal aircraft and possibly those of invited guests. Operations would have consisted of light, single-engine aircraft such as Cessnas, Pipers, or similar models used for recreational flying. Its significance was local, representing a classic example of the thousands of private 'farm strips' that support grassroots aviation across rural America.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Ozark's Flying Patch Airport. The land has been fully integrated into a private residence, and re-establishing a certified airfield would be a complex and costly process for the landowner. The airport is considered permanently closed.
I remember hearing stories of my Dad (Jerry Vaught) and Brother (Greg) piloting a large Cessna 195 aircraft safely in AND out of this tiny airfield. I just recently found the entry in my Dad's logbook. The aircraft was a beautiful 1952 Cessna 195 (N302GT) that my Dad owned at the time. By the way, Hallmark Ornaments used this exact aircraft as the model for their 2007 "Sky's The Limit" Christmas ornament, only they changed the N-Number to N302JB from a previous designation. Nevertheless, my Dad and Brother fondly remember the fateful day in Oct. of 1982 when they attended an Antique Airplane Association fly-in at Ozark's Flying Patch in the 275HP aircraft. Landing was fairly easy, but the takeoff was tense. People attending the fly-in asked my Dad how he was gonna pull off a 900 ft. grass strip takeoff in an aircraft that big. So when show time came, everyone lined up to watch what they thought would be a disastrous takeoff attempt. My Brother recalls helping my Dad push the aircraft's tail back to a small dirt road along a tree line, Dad doing a thorough engine check, putting on full flaps, holding the toe brakes tight, then winding the engine up to near takeoff RPM while my Brother helped Dad keep back pressure on the yoke to keep the tail down. (Sounds kinda like a Navy carrier takeoff doesn't it?) With a quick snap, Dad released the brakes and gave her full throttle. According to both my Dad and Brother they rolled off the end of the runway at the edge of the bluff and sunk down into the valley just moments before the wings really started to take lift leaving the landing gear a few close feet above the valley tree tops. Moments later as they circled around to buzz the tiny airfield to let everyone know their takeoff was successful, my Dad turned to my Brother and simply said: "Son, that was a close one."