Table Rock Airport in Golden, MO is part of what some call a "flying community." Many who live near the airport say they moved there to fly. They say they used and maintained the airport for free since the 1960’s. Lot owners claim they have a right to use the airport because of an agreement that dates back more than 45 years. "In 1962 this area was developed as a flying community in which lot owners are given access to the runway," Pilot Joel Frana says. “It’s a private airport with public access.”

The airport's new owners disagree. The owners say they own the land and no one can fly for free. "The owner wanted us to pay $600 a year but we already have rights to it so what are we paying for his beer money?" Frana says.

Frana says five to six permanent pilots' planes can't take off. "We have our hangers, we have our homes but we are trapped,” Frana says. “It would be if someone drained the lake from underneath your boat slip."

The controversy came to a head last fall when the new owner put up a fence. "He put up a barbed wire fence that restricted access and a judge ruled he had to take it down," Frana said. The fence came down but the grass grew up. This month Frana says the owner took a bulldozer to the runway tearing up the landing area. "It’s been this way since 1962 why is it suddenly changing maybe because the airport is more valuable to them as lake front real estate."

A judge will decide if the old agreement is still legally binding. A court date is set for July first. One of the owners listed in the lawsuit, Jack Reeves, declined to comment. His lawyer is out of town until next week. The new owner trying to lease to buy the property also declined an on camera interview.

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