Airports around top sail, nc

[farmerbrake]

Not sure where to post this so well try here.

Some relatives of mine spend a week down at the beach in topsail. They said I should fly down. Any reccomendations on where I should fly into?

I don't have any time on grass strips, so I'd like to avoid them. Plane is a piper arrow.
TIA

 

[Airworx]

KILM,
Air Wilmington is the FBO.
Nice airport with a tower.

Jimmy

 

[bflynn]

You said no grass strips so Holly Ridge is out - although I'll tell you that grass is really kind of a non-event. It is bumpier and you keep your yoke back, but it's otherwise not really different.

Topsail (pronounced topsul) is a tough area because you're right up against the Camp Lejune Marine base.

Wilmington is 45 minute drive away. It is in town, a class-D with light commercial traffic and full services

Ellis airport is your other choice. I've never been there, but I've seen other airports like it throughout the state - it's a "standard" sleepy NC county airport with a small FBO who probably runs the rental car agency - you probably want to call and ask. It's also about 45 minutes drive away.

Of the two, I would probably choose Wilmington, but I can't really say why. More options if something happens, you're not out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[farmerbrake]

You said no grass strips so Holly Ridge is out - although I'll tell you that grass is really kind of a non-event. It is bumpier and you keep your yoke back, but it's otherwise not really different.

Topsail (pronounced topsul) is a tough area because you're right up against the Camp Lejune Marine base.

Wilmington is 45 minute drive away. It is in town, a class-D with light commercial traffic and full services

Ellis airport is your other choice. I've never been there, but I've seen other airports like it throughout the state - it's a "standard" sleepy NC county airport with a small FBO who probably runs the rental car agency - you probably want to call and ask. It's also about 45 minutes drive away.

Of the two, I would probably choose Wilmington, but I can't really say why. More options if something happens, you're not out in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks for the advice.
I would love to do some training on a grass strip. Ultimately I'd love to have one on our farm, but that's a story for another day.
Plus I just bought into the plane a little over a month ago. Got my transition training done and am starting my IR stuff, but still learning the plane. So that's also why I'm a little hesitant.

 

[Morgan3820]

You said no grass strips so Holly Ridge is out - although I'll tell you that grass is really kind of a non-event. It is bumpier and you keep your yoke back, but it's otherwise not really different.

Topsail (pronounced topsul) is a tough area because you're right up against the Camp Lejune Marine base.

Wilmington is 45 minute drive away. It is in town, a class-D with light commercial traffic and full services

Ellis airport is your other choice. I've never been there, but I've seen other airports like it throughout the state - it's a "standard" sleepy NC county airport with a small FBO who probably runs the rental car agency - you probably want to call and ask. It's also about 45 minutes drive away.

Of the two, I would probably choose Wilmington, but I can't really say why. More options if something happens, you're not out in the middle of nowhere.

I concur. There is a new FBO, Aviat Mall that is geared to the GA segment. I never used it but has good reviews. The other FBO on the field, Air Wilmington, is not very friendly to GA. Ellis is not recommended. To bad Cape Fear Regional (KSUT) iis too far because it is the best hands down.

 

[gitmo234]

I second trying a grass strip. The only real differences are:

1) Once taxiing, dont stop.
2) Always keep the yoke back as much as possible to keep weight off the nose gear.

As your speed increased you can slowly let the yoke go a bit forward, like a short field get into ground effect, gain airspeed and depart.

Soft field landing....aka land like you have a passenger with a bad back.

Otherwise, provided its not wet and muddy, really a non event, except they seem to be a lot of fun for some odd reason. To me it seems to be no more difficult than flying to an unfamiliar airport

 

[farmerbrake]

I second trying a grass strip. The only real differences are:

1) Once taxiing, dont stop.
2) Always keep the yoke back as much as possible to keep weight off the nose gear.

As your speed increased you can slowly let the yoke go a bit forward, like a short field get into ground effect, gain airspeed and depart.

Soft field landing....aka land like you have a passenger with a bad back.

Otherwise, provided its not wet and muddy, really a non event, except they seem to be a lot of fun for some odd reason. To me it seems to be no more difficult than flying to an unfamiliar airport

Do I need to worry about insurance at all? I don't think there's anything in our policy that states no grass. And I don't think the partnership agreement I signed says no grass either.

 

[Hank S]

N51, Holly Ridge, is a very tame grass strip. BUT be aware that there are power lines in the trees on short final for 14 (landing towards the water). That's why the threshold is displaced . . . It's 3500' long, plenty wide, and on my last trip the lights were on at night and a medevac helicopter is based there. Pay the weekly tie down fee with a check and put it in the mailbox; I always write my tail number on the check, too.

Never heard anything bad about Albert J. Ellis in Jacksonville. Only been there once, but it's about 45 minutes away from Surf City. N51 is about 10 minutes from Surf City. The numbers change if you're going to North Topsail, closer to Jax and further from Surf City and Wilmington.

Have fun! It's a nice flight. Be careful, stay offshore, and keep a careful watch for traffic if you fly along the beach during the day.

My insurance only asked if I operate "regularly" from unsaved fields. I don't count a trip to Holly Ridge once a year to be "regular." Especially since I don't go every year, just most years. We're skipping this year.

 

[farmerbrake]

N51, Holly Ridge, is a very tame grass strip. BUT be aware that there are power lines in the trees on short final for 14 (landing towards the water). That's why the threshold is displaced . . . It's 3500' long, plenty wide, and on my last trip the lights were on at night and a medevac helicopter is based there. Pay the weekly tie down fee with a check and put it in the mailbox; I always write my tail number on the check, too.

Never heard anything bad about Albert J. Ellis in Jacksonville. Only been there once, but it's about 45 minutes away from Surf City. N51 is about 10 minutes from Surf City. The numbers change if you're going to North Topsail, closer to Jax and further from Surf City and Wilmington.

Have fun! It's a nice flight. Be careful, stay offshore, and keep a careful watch for traffic if you fly along the beach during the day.

My insurance only asked if I operate "regularly" from unsaved fields. I don't count a trip to Holly Ridge once a year to be "regular." Especially since I don't go every year, just most years. We're skipping this year.

Thanks for the info!
Not exactly sure where their beach house/time share/condo/ what ever the #ell it is is located. I feel like it's north but not entirely sure.