Van-Aire Skyport

Van Aire Skyport (CO12) is a private, residential fly-in community located just east of Brighton, Colorado, about 20 miles northeast of The Gateway to The Rocky Mountains, Denver, Colorado.

*******************************

  -ANNOUNCEMENTS-

Dear Van Aire Friends and Neighbors,

A Van Aire legend has gone west due to an aviation accident.  Details are sparse now, but we will provide updates as they become available. 

All that is known is that Ben Watson, a Van Aire resident for many, many years, who moved with his wife Gilley, to Chadron, Nebraska several years ago to be closer to children and grandchildren, has tragically not survived an accident in his beautiful 1961 Beechcraft Debonair.  Apparently, he was flying from Chadron to the Denver area when his airplane went down somewhere near Wellington, Colorado yesterday, November 15, 2024. The NTSB is investigating.

A family member has said that a memorial service has been scheduled for 10:00 am next Saturday, November 23^rd, 2024, at The Landing Place, 11555 Chambers Road, Commerce City. CO 80603, time yet to be determined. 

As we process the shock of this unexpected news, our hearts ache for Ben’s family and friends at the loss we have all suffered.

Sadly,

Charles R. Elliston

***************************************************************************

Ben Watson

May 10, 1943 – November 15, 2024

*********************************************************** 

The regular monthly VASC Board of Directors meeting which was originally scheduled for 6:00 pm on November 18, 2024 at the Grady's Place, 15725 Elk Circle, Brighton, CO 80603 has been rescheduled for 6:30 pm on Monday, November 25th, 2024. 

Click on "Pages and Links" to view the most recent meeting minutes. 

********************************************************************

Once again, members of the Van Aire Skyport board of directors and other community volunteers came together to successfully orchestrate the 34^th Annual Van Aire Skyport Fly-in and Picnic, on Saturday, September 28th.  Special thanks go to directors Maureen Bendure and Carl “Buddy” Goeritz for their herculean efforts to provide burgers, brats, and liquid refreshments for all attendees.  Additional kudos to Mandy Donovan for her work helping Maureen, and Dan and Kathy Metz for their yeoman work in providing condiments, cooking tools, and cooking skills.  More special thanks to Tom Peraro, Brandon Jewett, Don Watkins, and Buddy Goeritz for organizing and orchestrating a flag raising ceremony accompanied by the National Anthem, and concluded by a multi-ship flyover complete with smoke. 

***************

APOLOGIES!!! I must issue a revision to my previously issued post. Due to stupidity on my part, I failed to include Jim Baker in the list of individuals who organized and implemented the excellent four-ship flyover for our flag raising ceremony yesterday. I offer my profound apologies to Jim for my error. - Charles

******************************************************************

The 2024 VASC Board of Directors is comprised of: 

Maureen Bendure, Vice-President, Block 1B Representative

Ed Cole, Block 1A Representative

Tom Edwards, Block 2A Representative

Carl "Buddy" Goeritz, Block 2B Representative

Charles Elliston,  President, At-large Representative

Other Officers:

Jim Baker, Treasurer

Jenny Mack, Secretary

Office Manager: Ron Stites 

*************************************************************************

Visitors and guests

Non-resident visitors and guests of residents wishing to use the Van Aire Skyport Runway, or utilize the Community Common Areas are advised that they do so at their own risk.  

Non-resident visitors are required to complete a Release and Indemnification To Use Airstrip form and familiarize themselves with the Van Aire Skyport Airport Rules and Regulations and the provisions of FAA  Advisory Circular AC 90-66C NON-TOWERED AIRPORT OPERATIONS (available at the links below).  After completion, the form may then e-mailed to vanaire@outlook.com.

Guests of Van Aire Skyport residents will be supervised at all times by their resident sponsors and are expected to be familiar and comply with our Van Aire Skyport Corporation AIRPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS, and the provisions of FAA Advisory Circular AC 90-66C NON-TOWERED AIRPORT OPERATIONS.  Both documents may be found under the "Pages and Links to both documents are provided below:

Van Aire Skyport Airport Operating Rules and Regulations

AC 90-66C Non-towered Airport Operations 

Release and Indemnification To Use Airstrip Rev1