Any Spruce Creek residents here?

[Hambone]

Anyone "living the dream" at Spruce Creek, Daytona Beach?

If so, what's the sport pilot scene like there?

[drseti]

I've been there a couple of times, Ham. Most recently, in January (with a realtor), looking at condos. I have yet to convince my wife that we should move to FL, probably because she has five sons in the NE and wants to stay close to them. But, some day...

[Hambone]

It does look like a fantastic place to live... and play... and maybe even do a little work, if you can tolerate Florida! (I can say that. I grew up there!)

[designrs]

Looks like it would be a fun place to be for a while!
Are there many options to rent or share a taxiway condo there?

[RyanShort1]

I got to look at Spruce Creek on Monday. It's nice...

[Hambone]

Hmmm... just a question of when it's time to give up the paycheck and focus on fun before I'm too old and decrepit to enjoy it!

[designrs]

Hmmm... just a question of when it's time to give up the paycheck and focus on fun before I'm too old and decrepit to enjoy it!

Exactly!
+1000

[ct4me]

"Mr. LSA", Dan Johnson, lives there. Gotta be a hotbed of LSA fun.

[designrs]

"Mr. LSA", Dan Johnson, lives there. Gotta be a hotbed of LSA fun.

Oh cool!

[drseti]

Are there many options to rent or share a taxiway condo there?

I know several folks who own both a home (for themselves to live in) and a condo (for rental). The latter are generally readily available in the summer, but harder to book in the winter (which is Florida's peak season).

[Hambone]

Think I need to swing by during my next trip to the U S of A and take a look...

[Jack Tyler]

Ham, as you probably know there are hundreds of air park communities in Florida alone. I think two very accurate statements to make about them is a) most are fairly unique from one another (that's true of Spruce Creek in several respects) and b) air parks always seem to breed contentiousness and disputes, be they large or small. So my point is that there's much about an air park that influences one's experience there beyond the physical layout and the ownership arrangements.

If you are drawn to Spruce Creek, then I would recommend you also visit Haller Air Park 7FL4 since it's pretty much in contrast to SC and perhaps only an hour north. Small, friendly, (mostly) without dissension on issues these days, and with a group of (sorry to use a four-letter word here...) of ex-NAVY fighter guys that are like the spark plugs in an engine. Along with an active EAA Chapter and lots of homebuilts in evidence, Haller is also the birthplace of the new Panther - a single-seat metal aircraft introduced 20 months ago that seems to be getting rave reviews and can either qualify as a Light Sport or as a fully aerobatic, very fast E-AB - depending on how it's built. http://flywithspa.com/panther.html

Other contrasts between SC and places like Haller are the associated costs - Haller is very inexpensive, in part because all the members pitch in on caring for the beautiful field - and the availability of new plots (if you want to build).

[Hambone]

Good considerations, Jack. I optimistically assumed air parks to be populated by groups of like-minded happy, shiny aviators who smile, fly airplanes, and always get along!

[dstclair]

Many airparks have grass runways and I've spent 99.99% of my flying experience on paved runways. Just curious, how long is a well-maintained grass runway out of commission after a soaking rainstorm?

[Jack Tyler]

Dave, two big factors are the percolation of the soil supporting the grass surface and how well the surface plan re: drainage was done. Here in Florida, our sandy soil drains relatively quickly so boggy low areas and poor run-off are concerns. However, a wet grassy surface will add friction and make the takeoff roll longer...and if they didn't cut the grass recently, wet takeoff rolls can be even l-o-n-g-e-r.