West Australian Aviation Oriented Property
Excellent Retirement Project Property, only 45nm from Perth/Jandakot.
I have an uncompleted project here in secure,country WA. My wife and I need to move for family reasons. I'm 63, and have knee problems as well.
The property is 60 acres freehold on one title, located 21km by road west of Beverley, and 85 road kms SE of the Perth Hills suburbs - an easy hours drive. It is 900amsl, with great valley views over the Talbot Brook. The area is 20 inch rainfall, 70% cleared, mostly mixed farms and some vineyards. Never locked the place up, and rarely see anyone on the roads - there's more air traffic here than cars!
It has a 40 square quality double brick home with all the fittings you'll ever need, plus an adjacent 18m x 15m hangar, plus a workshop and store attached to that.
The airstrip is 800m, 4% slope of good solid grassed gravel and all weather. We've had everything up to a Chieftain and a fully loaded AT-502 using it. There is a large protected parking area attached.
We are under the 6500 CTA, so are able to come and go as we please. We're also above the valley fogline.
In my first profession as a specialist agricultural consultant, I've been using the property as my base to service farmers in the WA wheatbelt using my trusty C170, VH-OSZ. In my second, as a specialist instructor, I teach low level and tailwheel ops off this strip, and over a several sq.mile area around us - due to having great neighbours. We've done this for 18 years, and the place is longstanding aviation friendly.
What I have wanted to expand is the opportunities to make the property into a small centre for hangarage and weekend accommodation. Unfortunately, I've only progressed so far with hosting a Supercub here.
Jandakot hangarage can be up to $5000 per year, and many birds are relocating up into the Avon valley region near here. I know that we could probably attract many more here - it would just be a question of what facilities we were prepared to offer. I have thought of just roof cover type hangars using the natural gravel surface,(never muddy or soft).
There is real scope for a couple chalets too - very rentable in the area. The block offers several secluded areas where they would be well seperated.
Of course, any ex airline/GA pilot with an instructors rating could well take over where I leave off. There is a reasonable demand for LL and TW training, along with country pilots flying in for BFR's.
You can work under any of the JT flight schools AOC as a 'satellite field' and be a sub-contractor for both aircraft hire and instruction.
I probably do 100-150 hours annually, and it pays for the annuals on the 170! I would be prepared to facilitate the changeover of owner 'approvals' for the use of the airspace and strips,(18 of), on local farms,(4 of).
Further to all of the above, if anyone wished to part purchase, but not relocate immediately, I'd be able to caretake it fully. I'd look at any joint venture any of you might propose too - we don't need to sell -it's just hard work managing 2 places 180nm apart, even with an RV6 in the hangar!
cheers'
Ralph Burnett aka RV6-VNE