When it comes to saving general aviation airports, privately owned ones raise significant challenges because there's not much that can be done to keep a private owner from selling the property for nonaviation uses. Case in point: Evergreen Field in Vancouver, Washington. AOPA has fought since 1994 to keep the privately owned, public-use airport open. AOPA repeatedly encouraged Clark County to protect and even purchase the airport. However, the private owners have opted to accept a lucrative deal from developers. Tenants have until July 18, 2006, to vacate the field, which will close permanently. AOPA has prepared a downloadable white paper, " Airport Closures at Privately Owned/ Public-Use Airports," to help members overcome the challenges of preserving a privately owned airport.
Updated: April 27, 2006, 1:34 p.m. EDT
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