Airport Information

Ryan Airplane Company

Airport Information

Avery County Airport (7A8) is located 4 miles North East of Spruce Pine, NC and 10 miles South West of Newland NC. The runway is 3,000 feet long by 60 feet wide with 120 foot overrun on the South end and 170 on the North end. The runway has a 3% slope on it which causes 35 to be desirable for landing and 17 for takeoff. A right hand turn out is recommended after takeoff from runway 17. Departure to the North is not recommended due to rising terrain and sinking air. When taking off to the north it is recommended to make a left turn before crossing the first ridge due to sinking air.

Check density altitude as well as weight and balance. Summertime density altitude can exceed 5,500 ft. This greatly reduces aircraft performance. Consult the performance charts and your aircraft POH before departing. For reference at 85 deg. F the density altitude on the field is 5,000 feet.

The mountain peak to the South reaches 4,500 ft. MSL; the peaks to the east are almost as high.

Avery County Airport is a mountain airport and pilots should be aware of the possibility of localized and unforecast turbulence when flying in mountainous areas.

History of the airport.

The Avery County Airport was started as a small private grass field by local business men in the 1950's on land donated by the Morrison family. After work was started on the airport a discussion with the FAA to see if the FAA would be willing to fund the airport.

The FAA agreed to fund the airport if it was transferred to a municipality. The airport was given to Avery and Mitchell counties and the FAA finished the airport as a public use airport. Until the late 80's the airport upkeep was entirely funded by the users, primarily Brad Ragan Inc. and Feldspar Corp.

In the 90's the Avery County Airport Authority was formed by the North Carolina legislature. Avery and Mitchell counties began to provide the funding for the airport. In the last few years the airport authority has obtained multiple grants for improvements here on the field.

The courtesy car. After almost a year of work, it is finally tagged and roadworthy. Please make sure to call at least 24 hours in advance to make sure it is available. For the comfort of other customers, no pets or smoking allowed in the car.

UNICOM: 123.000
AWOS: 123.000 3 clicks for advisory

Directions:

From Boone NC:
Take NC-105 out of Boone for about 15 miles. Turn right onto US-221. Proceeded 10 miles on US-221 turn right on NC-194 (three mile hwy) Continue on for approximately 4.5 miles. Turn Left on US-19E continue on for approximately 2 miles Brushy Creek Road is on the left in the apex of a 4 lane road just after a large billboard saying "Pittman Signs" and just before some storage buildings. The airport will be on the right approximately 1/2 mile on Brushy Creek Road.

From I-40:
From Exit #81 Turn Left on Sugar Hill Road continue for approximately 2 miles. Turn left on US-221. Go approximately 10 miles to NC-226. Turn Left on NC-226 proceeded for approximately 10 miles on NC_226 and turn Right on US-19E. Proceed for approximately 5 miles on US-19E. Brushy Creek Road is on the right in the apex of the turn of the 4 lane road turn between the storage buildings and the "Pittman Signs" billboard on the right. The airport is about 1/2 mile on the right.

From West Asheville NC:
Take the Weaverville Exit onto US-19N for approximately 18 miles. Turn Right onto US-19 continue on for approximately 34 miles. Brushy Creek Road is on the right in the apex of the turn of the 4 lane road turn between the storage buildings and the "Pittman Signs" billboard on the right. The airport is about 1/2 mile on the right.

From Morganton NC:
Take NC-181N for approximately 36 miles. Turn Left on the Blue Ridge Parkway continue for approximately 3.5 miles. Turn off on the US-221 (Linville Falls) exit. Turn Right on US-221 continue for approximately 1 mile. Turn Left on NC-194 (Three Mile Hwy) Continue on for approximately 4.5 miles. Turn Left on US-19E continue on for approximately 2 miles Brushy Creek Road is on the left in the apex of a 4 lane road just after a large billboard saying "Pittman Signs" and just before some storage buildings. The airport will be on the right approximately 1/2 mile on Brushy Creek Road.

From Elizabethton TN:
Go South on US-19E. Continue on US-19E approximately 34 miles. Brushy Creek Road is on the left in the apex of a 4 lane road just after a large billboard saying "Pittman Signs" and just before some storage buildings. The airport will be on the right approximately 1/2 mile on Brushy Creek Road.

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