WHEN PRIOR PERMISSION IS REQUIRED
In the RAF Airfield Guide, a number of airstrip listings indicate that prior permission is requested before landing. Prior Permission is typically required for private airfields, and is sometimes required on public lands, such as many US Forest Service airstrips.
Like checking NOTAMs prior to every flight, be aware that you must request permission each time you access these places; just one call doesn’t “do it all”. If you place yourself in the shoes of the land owner/manager who cooperatively allows access, it makes good sense that they need this contact in order to continue allowing public use.
Thank you for observing this simple safety requirement.
By Carmine Mowbray
Submitted May 30, 2025
Photo by Amrat Chugani
Thanks for this reminder. I think it is especially important for strips where the owners reside.
There is another reason to make that call for permission and that is for safety. Before I allow someone to use my private strip 2TN7 Wolfcreek, I want to brief them on how to use my strip since I am down in a hollow with rising terrain at each end. It’s also important to call as the runway might be in bad shape right after a storm or doing some sort of field maintenance.
Excellent reminder. When the landowner is gracious enough to let visitors land on his property, we, as visitors, would be remiss, to be anything less than courteous and respectful of the landowners wants, needs and wishes.