[DISCLAIMER: The following information is provided for assistance only. You should do your own thorough research using approved FAA sectional charts and/or FAA approved navigation aids before visiting our airpark.]
Airpark Information
(click below)
Gilbert Airpark is a PRIVATE airpark. You must be a member or have permission of a member to use the airpark runway and facilities. For members and those who DO have permission, photos and information follow regarding length, obstacles, and other runway characteristics of which to be aware. Our airport designator is SC45. Click above to find specific information about the airpark as a starting point. Then, return here for further details about our runway.
General Information
The runway is grass, in reasonably good condition, and just under 3,500' long (see notes later about this length). Our runways are 09 (left side of photo below) and 27 (right side of photo, nearest I-20). The traffic pattern is LEFT on both runways. Be aware that the runway has a "crest" in the middle which makes it impossible to see much farther than about half way down the runway (even less from start of runway 09). Therefore, extra precaution must be taken on takeoff to be sure no one is departing from the other end.
We use MULTICOM frequency 122.9 for local traffic reports. The field elevation is 551'. The airpark is listed as "Gilbert International" on the Charlotte Sectional and SC Aeronautical chart. We are located about 21 miles (straight line distance) to the WSW of Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) just outside the outer veil (1800' MSL) along I-20. The runway is LIGHTED at night, but the installation is not FAA approved. Therefore, we do not advertise the procedure to turn them on.
Be advised that several cell towers are located near the airpark along I-20 in the 300' AGL range of height, one of which is located just RIGHT (north) of the approach to runway 27 (see more details below). One HIGH tower is located about 1 mile to the NNW listed at 1063' MSL. See more detail about these towers below.
Airpark From Space
The photo above shows the airpark from space via Google Earth. The photo is oriented normally above (north is at top). Click to enlarge the photo. Note the huge field to the SOUTH (and the compass orientation marker within it).
Runway 27
Runway 27 is shown above ... the view on final approach at top left ... and upon landing at top right. This is the runway that we most often use because the prevailing winds tend to generally come from the WEST. Also, the runway characteristics make this runway the most desirable for takeoffs. Please note that a cell tower in the 300' range (with supporting ground wires) is located just to the RIGHT (north) of this runway on your approach for landing. Stay CENTER (or slightly LEFT) of the runway until you are sure that you have the cell tower in sight and can maintain appropriate lateral clearance. It won't be a problem for you when taking off on runway 27. Be aware that a wind from the SOUTH can also tend to push your aircraft in that direction. Also, be aware that there are some fairly tall trees (less than 50') between I-20 and the threshold of runway 27, so stay high enough to avoid them on landing. Therefore, we usually land long and make our touch down at or beyond the second hangar on the left.
Interstate highway I-20 is located approximately 1/4 mile from the beginning of runway 27. The huge sandpit area (which we call "Mount Gilbert") located just across I-20 is an excellent landmark normally visible from many miles away. It will be almost directly inline with your FINAL approach into runway 27. Unfortunately, it's possible that the sun could obstruct your vision in the late afternoons on your approach to 27, especially during the late summer and fall months. The "44 Truck Stop" located to the SOUTH (usually with plenty of big rigs in back) is a good entry point for DOWNWIND leg towards the east ... located approximately 1.3 miles south of the airpark. Also, see notes below about towers in the local area.
Runway 09
Runway 09 (looking east) is shown above. Note that a cell tower will be located on your LEFT (northeast) near the end of the runway (less than 1000 feet away). Therefore, when departing on runway 09, it is recommended that you make a "straight out" takeoff without making any turns to the left until you are past I-20 in order to avoid this cell tower. Also, note that runway 09 slopes UPHILL for the first 1,000' (and significantly in the first 500'), so your takeoff run will likely be longer when using this runway. See notes below about towers in the local area ... and especially, the warning about a very tall tower located about 1 mile to the NNW of the airpark which can be a hazard on DOWNWIND leg as you are nearing BASE leg.
Beware of Local Towers
There are three towers that you should be especially aware of in our local area as follows.
First, beware of the cell tower shown above, located less than 1000 feet to the NORTHEAST of the threshold of 27 (RIGHT of runway 27 and LEFT of runway 09). Clicking the above photo will give you some idea of just how close the cell tower is to the approach to runway 27. It was taken at the intersection of Juniper Springs Road and Final Approach Road at the entrance to our airpark ... which is directly in line with the approach to runway 27. The height of this cell tower is listed as 837' MSL (just under 300' AGL). It has supporting guy wires radiating from it which are difficult to see until you are very near. While it's a potential hazard of which to be aware, it should not be a problem if you know it is there and exercise reasonable caution. In fact, the tower lights make a reasonably good landmark in the evening. Just be careful not to stray over into it ... and be aware that winds from a southerly direction can tend to push you towards it!
Second, be especially aware of a tall, thin tower (listed as 1063' MSL, 499' AGL) located NNW approximately 1 mile from the airpark. Your track on DOWNWIND leg (at about the turn for BASE leg) in a left pattern for runway 09 will take you very near this tower! It's high enough be a real hazard, so we recommend maintaining 1500' MSL (our normal traffic pattern altitude) or higher until you are sure you have it in sight or have cleared it. It can be very difficult to see even in the best of conditions, but it's especially hard to see in hazy conditions or late in the afternoon with the sun in your eyes. It should not be a problem if you make the standard LEFT pattern when taking off on runway 27. However, if you are traveling anywhere in a northerly direction out of the airpark, the recommended procedure is to climb STRAIGHT OUT at least 1 mile after takeoff towards the west and DO NOT make any turns toward the north until you see the tower off to your right. An alternate procedure is to make a normal pattern takeoff; turn south on crosswind leg off 27, then on downwind leg for 27, and climb to at least 1500' before turning north.
There is a third tower (a cell tower) in the local
vicinity located just SOUTH of the 44 Truck Stop which could present
a problem when taking off on runway 27 after turning onto CROSSWIND leg. However, it should not be a
problem for you under normal circumstances once you attain, and as long as you maintain, an altitude
of a least 350' AGL (about 900' MSL). Also remember that there are a number of
other cell towers located along I-20 and to the south of the airpark of which you should remain vigilant. Last 500' to the West
You should be aware that the runway slopes significantly on the west end for the last 500 feet. We generally avoid using that last 500' except for aircraft which need the extra ground run on takeoff (uphill) or landing (downhill). A thick "sea" of pine trees is located off the west end of the runway for quite some distance (over a mile). A huge field is located just to the SOUTH (left) of the runway in case of emergency on takeoff of runway 27. However, this field is usually planted in corn (which can grow to 6' or more in height), soybeans, or other crops during the spring and summer months. The field is usually plowed in early spring, and as such is furrowed until early summer. During the fall, the cornstalks remain. While not an ideal landing site, it does at least offer an alternative to the pine trees off the end of the runway in an emergency situation. However, keep in mind that this large field and the forest off the end of the runway are NOT owned by the airpark.
Be Vigilant of People & Animals
We also recommend that you be especially vigilant of people, animals (e.g. dogs, birds, deer) and/or personal vehicles (e.g. golf carts, ATVs) on or near the runway. Be advised that a large flock of Canadian geese (an estimated 50-100 birds) visits the large corn field to the south of the airpark frequently, especially in the mornings and late afternoons each fall. Often, they fly directly across the runway at low level (approximately 50-100 feet altitude).
In-flight Photos of the Airpark
For photos of the airpark from the air, click the icon below.
