Published: April 23, 2008 05:05 pm            

Soaring to new heights

Day subdivision will feature private airstrip for residents

Visitors from miles around came to Day to get a firsthand look at Lafayette County’s latest large scale project, Fort Atkinson Plantation housing subdivision, located approximately one-and-a-half miles northwest of Day off SR 53. An open house celebration was held at the site on Saturday, April 19.

The festivities began at 9 a.m. with a light breakfast followed by a hearty lunch at noon. Visitors enjoyed sausage and blueberry pigs-in-a-blanket provided by Marvin Buchanan. Two Sisters Barbecue brought pork, slaw, baked beans and rolls.

At 8 a.m., the first plane, owned by Wolfgang Schmelzer, made a safe landing on the 3,000 ft. private airstrip that was recently paved for use by future residents. His wife, Christine, arrived moments later in her plane. It took the Schmelzers 10 minutes to travel from Live Oak to Day.

Future plans for the airstrip calls for extending it to 6,000 feet, according to Buchanan, who has spearheaded the project since its inception some years ago. Buchanan said he was pleased with the open house and thanked everyone who came out to visit.

The plane, a 1965 Bolkow 208C, was made in Germany and uses a Rolls-Royce engine. According to Schmelzer, only 10 of these planes exist.

Schmelzer ordered every part of his plane from Germany, had them delivered to the United States 12 years ago, and assembled the plane himself.

Born and raised in Germany, the Schmelzers moved to the United States years ago and are currently living at the Kitty Hawk Airpark in Live Oak.

Schmelzer said he was very impressed with Fort Atkinson Plantation and said he plans to visit again soon. “It is a nice place here,” he said.

        

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