Aerial fall splendor at Heaven’s Landing

If you like the Mountains in northeast Georgia and are an aviation enthusiast, possibly one of the best marriages of those two inclinations is found at Heavens Landing.  Located just 3.5 miles northwest of the city of Clayton, Georgia, this “Heavenly” fly in community is considered by many to be one of the most unique and beautiful mountain estate airparks in the world.  Through all phases, Heaven’s Landing will consist of 400 plus estate sized lots averaging 1.5 acres in size.  Taxiway lots are readily available, as are beautiful mountain vista lots that can be paired with a private hangar on the airfield.   This gated community consists of 635 total acres that are surrounded by U.S. National Forest Land, yet conveniently located just a 7 minute drive from downtown Clayton Georgia.  There one can find all of the conveniences of big city living without the crime, traffic or hassles that are associated with metropolitan living.  The City of Clayton boasts great shopping, numerous elegant  restaurants, and abundant recreational opportunities.

Country Music’s Alan Jackson, an owner at Heaven’s Landing departs  in his Falcon 50

The paved concrete runway at Heaven’s Landing is 5069 feet long and will accommodate any aircraft from light sports to corporate jets.  The runway also has pilot controlled lighting and a private GPS approach to runway 23.

Plat of Heaven’s Landing

Owners at Heaven’s Landing have the option of purchasing property along the taxiway and building a traditional hangar home, or they can purchase on higher ground with a mountain vista and pair it with a privately owned hangar unit centrally located in a field side condominium hangar complex.  

Unique Two Storied Hangars at Heaven’s Landing

To maintain community standards there are strict architectural guidelines to assure that the elegance of the community is maintained.  All designs must be reviewed and approved prior to construction. The minimum size of the heated area must be at least is 2000 Sq. Ft., exclusive of porches, garages and hangars.  The first floor must be at least 1500 Sq. Ft. which will assure an aesthetic balance.  Exterior finishes are specified and any wood trim materials must be painted and not allowed to whether.  Roofing must consist of either architectural shingles, metal, concrete tiles or slate.  Consistency of detailing on all elevations is required.  Windows require shutters or colonial styled grids, and should be wood.  Vinyl or aluminum clad windows will be considered as long as they have the outward appearance that looks similar to wood.

The perfect combination of architecture and aviation!

Covenants such as these can seem daunting at first, but when one creates a setting as grand as this, it is in the collective best interest of all concerned that high quality standards be maintained.  Once you are living in Heaven’s Landing, one rarely regrets the decision.  Architectural guidelines and Restrictive Covenants insure that quality and value will never waiver.

The Community Clubhouse at Heaven’s Landing

Heavens Landing also has a community clubhouse. The facility consists of three stories and 13,000 Sq. Ft. that contain a private lounge, dining room and fitness center with indoor racquet ball, steam and sauna.  A large swimming pool and Jacuzzi are planned which will overlook the runway.  The clubhouse is available to all of its owners on a daily basis for no additional fee.  There are also hundreds of miles of trails on the surrounding Chattahoochee National Forest for hiking, horseback riding, four wheeling and cycling.  

Whitewater Rafting on the Chattooga River (6 miles SE of Heaven’s Landing)

Trail Riding in the Chattahoochee National Forest surrounding Heaven’s Landing

Water Sports on nearby Lake Burton (3.5 miles SW of Heaven’s Landing)

From my perspective, Heaven’s Landing is one of the most beautiful fly-in communities in the country.  It is centrally located in an area that I personally would love to live in.  The year round climate is very mild, with just a touch of all four seasons.  Located right across the border from both North and South Carolina, Heaven’s Landing resides at an elevation ranging from 2,700 to 3,200 feet MSL, making it  high enough to be cool in the summer, yet far enough south so as not to be too cold in the winter.  Heaven’s Landing is also very close to Black Rock Mountain, Lake Burton, and the Chattooga River which are all highly desirable recreational options.  I have personally  hiked throughout the area many times, and absolutely love it!

My key point here is this:  The developers of Heaven’s Landing have gone over the top with the construction of their facilities, to create a world class fly-in community.  There truly is nothing else like it!  They have done so in an area that is already amazingly beautiful in and of itself.  The community clubhouse, the excellent runway, the unique two storied hangars, the architectural guidelines, and the obvious sense of community which can be easily observed in the monthly newsletter, are all just a bonus to an already gorgeous area.  Aviation communities offer a life style and camaraderie that is difficult to find anywhere else.  Heaven’s Landing is the perfect marriage of a beautiful setting and that magical environment created only in an aviation community.  It is that common interest in flying that ties all souls together, and I know of no better place than this. If you love the Eastern Mountains of the United States, I strongly suggest that you take a look at the Heaven’s Landing website at www.HeavensLanding.com.  I promise that you won’t be disappointed!

Pegasus Airpark is located just southeast of Phoenix Arizona. It is near many fascinating areas of the United States including Meteor Crater, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Sedona. All these are within a couple hours flying time from the Airpark. Pegasus Airpark is unique in the fact that the taxiways and the roadways for cars are separate. This is because many of the lots do not support hangers but have access of the condominium hangers at the FBO which is on the field. For many, this is just as good as having a hangar right on one's own property.  In such cases the airplane is within walking distance and the owner still has the advantages of a smaller living unit smaller property - and less maintenance. Though it appears that the original development has sold out there are many properties available for resale and you can find more about it by visiting the website at  http://www.pegasus-airpark.com. The community has a 5000 foot long by 60 foot wide runway. Home sites range from 1 to 1.3 acres. It is in a mountain area and relatively close to Phoenix. Even so, it maintains the charm of a country location and is separate from the hustle and bustle of a larger city. A many fly in communities around the country do not have an FBO for gasoline available for the residents In these cases the folks have to fly out to find fuel or they choose to store it in private facilities at her own homes. Pegasus Airpark has an FBO and sells gasoline at an excellent price for members. There is a Residential Homeowners Association which maintains the private roads as well as the very well landscaped entry into the neighborhood. Pegasus Airpark is a gated community. All lot owners are required to belong to the Residential Association as well as the Flight Association. There are Architectural Guidelines which is published which has the intention of enhancing architectural richness while allowing projects to stay within budget. The guidelines address elements like massing, differentiation of plate lines and ridge lines, diverse and interesting roof designs as well as addressing entries, windows, porch design and exterior materials. It is one of the more detailed architectural guidelines that I’ve seen in my experience and shows an heightened interest in maintaining excellent minimum standards for the homes that are being built in the neighborhood. Hangers may be designed connected to the house or can be constructed as separate building. Flat roofs are acceptable as long as there is some sort of parapet to the hide the fact. One interesting factor is that there is a diagram which shows the sunrise and sunset angles relative to the runway and the taxi way orientations. It is a good idea, on a hangar home, to try to avoid a western exposed hangar doors. This can really make the hangar hot in the afternoons with direct sun beating on the door. It appears, here, that a large portion of the lots available on this property will have north or south orientations which tends to work out very nicely. Overall, this is a very well designed and well thought out fly-in community with excellent architectural standards, great location, and full of excellent amenities that would make this an excellent choice for living with your airplane. It is especially a great place for those who have a desire to live in the West - with all its magical qualities.