Avon STOLport

Description

Series of three shots from the same spot, showing a Rocky Mountain Airways airplane landing at the Avon STOLport. Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Western Colorado: Avon STOLport [short take-off and landing airport], 2004: "The date of construction of this field is unknown. It was apparently built at some point between 1963-82, as it was not depicted on the October 1963 Sangre De Christo Mountains World Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Donald Felton). The earliest reference to the field which has been located was in the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury) in which Avon Airport was described as having a single 4,000 asphalt Runway 10/28, along with the remark, 'Private. Closed to public. Landings prohibited--rish aircraft impoundment.' As depicted in ... the 1987 USGS topo map, the airfield at Avon consisted of a single paved 4,800' runway,along with a paved taxiway at the western end of the runway leading to a paved ramp area. There did not appear to be any hangars or other buildings directly associated with the airfield. According to Paul Reinman, the airport in Avon was previously used to fly well-heeled skiers to near the base of Vail. Avon Airport was run by a commuter airline, Rocky Mountain Airways. It was a STOLport, and it reputedly had the steepest ILS in the world: 7 degrees, and also surrounded by mountains. The airline pilots actually needed a specific type rating to fly into Avon Airport. Avon Airport was located at an 8,500' elevation, and its approach started after crossing Vail Pass (elevation 10,500') with an Minimum Descent Altitude of 12,000'. It took a steep approach to lose 3,500' in 20 miles! Unfortunately for thrill seekers, Avon Airport was operated as a private airport, and in the event that a private aircraft landed at the field, it would have to be trucked out. This was due to the fact that many private airports have found thaty they are incurring liability for unauthorized landings that don't succeed at their fields. ... Joe Forish reported in 2003, 'The airport at Avon is no longer in existence. It was removed & paved over to allow access east from Avon to a new SuperWalmart & Home Depot development. Th e new buildings are located north of Route 6, south of I-70 in the approach to this former airfield. The new road covers or is right next to what used to be the airfield. The former buldings at the site have been removed.' Pretty soon every little airport will be covered by a Walmart. The site of the former Avon Airport is located on the north bank of the Eagle River, in between the railroad tracks & Interstate 70, southeast of Avon Road." Peter Kostes, "Grounded STOLport flights discontinued," Vail-Beaver Creek Times July 26, 1989 p.1: "Continental Express' abrupt abandonment of the Avon STOLport could mean the county airport's efforts to attract commercial air service will finally take off. The cessation of flights ends 10 years of service to the Avon STOLport. The terminal building was dedicated July 7, 1979. Airline officials confirmed STOLport operations from Avon to Denver's Stapleton International Airport will be eliminated Sept. 8. ... High operating costs, a $250,000 per-year lease (which will escalate throughout its term), and the seasonality of the Vail market atatributed to the company's decision, Steve Mason said."