Flight Training - August 2020 - 23

ROAD TRIP

BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER

BEACH SEASON

THE MANY CHARMING AIRPORTS OF NORTH CAROLINA'S OUTER BANKS
TAKE THE LEAP

AIRPORT HOPPING

BEACH SEASON ON THE EAST COAST SINGS A SIREN SONG, AND NOWHERE IS MORE "BEACHY"

CHRIS ROSE

than the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The 200-mile spit of land and barrier islands separates
the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland, and this windswept ocean beachfront is devoid of crowds
for much of the year. But in summer the conga line of family-filled vehicles winds down the coast,
everyone in search of their own patch of sand. Fly over this morass of cars and vans and SUVs-
six general aviation airports serve the Outer Banks, four of which are directly on the oceanfront.
The most famous of these is First Flight Airport (FFA) named for the Wright brothers' successful
first flight at Kill Devil Hill. Also along the coast is Pine Island (7NC2) in Corolla, Billy Mitchell (HSE) in Frisco, and Ocracoke Island Airport (W95) at the very end of the spit on Ocracoke
Island. Until these airports opened, the only access to this lovely stretch of beach was by car or
boat. The largest GA airport is Dare County (MQI) in Manteo. It, along with Currituck County
Regional Airport (ONX) in Currituck, is on the mainland side of the sound. These airports have
fuel; the other smaller airports on the coastline do not (and Pine Island is now private, as of
December 2019).
julie.walker@aopa.org

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

After Virginia Beach to
the north, it's an easy
low and slow flight south
along the coast. Dotted
with six famous lighthouses, the "Graveyard
of the Sea" where ships
have run aground, and the
sight of waves kissing the
shoreline and dolphins
cavorting, the Outer
Banks (OBX) is a great
general aviation airplane
adventure.
Dare County Regional
Airport (MQI). Manteo,
North Carolina. The
largest airport in the
Outer Banks, Dare County
has two long runways,
fuel, and an FBO.
First Flight Airport
(FFA). Kill Devil Hills,
North Carolina. A National
Park Services airport, First
Flight has a 3,000-footlong runway with easy
access to the Wright
Brothers Memorial.
Overnight parking is not
permitted.
Billy Mitchell Airport
(HSE). Frisco, North Carolina. This 3,000-foot-long
runway is as close to the
beach as you can possibly
get, but it's only open 30
minutes before sunrise
until 30 minutes after
sunset. No services.
Ocracoke Island
Airport (W95). Ocracoke
Island, North Carolina.
This remote island airport
has a 3,000-foot-long
runway and although
there are no services-
and you could walk into
the town-there is taxi
service. Check the bulletin
board.
Currituck County
Regional Airport (ONX).
Maple, North Carolina.
While considered by
some to not be an official
OBX airport, Currituck is
nonetheless close to the
northernmost beaches
and attractions.

Gaze upon those poor souls sweating in their cars below you-general aviation
is the best way to see, tour, and stay on the OBX.

AOPA.ORG/FT 23

http://www.AOPA.ORG/FT

Flight Training - August 2020

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