Epcot Center Ultralight Flightpark
Encyclopedia
Epcot Center Ultralight Flightpark was a private-use ultralight airport located in Osceola County
, 13 nautical miles (24 km) northwest of the central business district
of Lake Buena Vista
, Florida
, United States
. It was privately owned by the Walt Disney World Company
, and was used to launch aircraft used in the "Skylaidescope" show at Epcot
.
Although still listed active in FAA records as recently as September 2010, this facility apparently closed sometime prior to 2001. The site is now covered by buildings for the second phase of Disney's Pop Century Resort
, known as the Legendary Years, which not been completed. It was delayed when the 9/11 attacks occurred and caused the tourism industry to drop off. The new Disney's Art of Animation Resort
, scheduled to open in 2012, is currently being built on this land.
designated "ALL/WAY" with a 424 x 424 ft (129 x 129 m) turf
surface. There were 20 aircraft based at this airport: 50% single-engine
and 50% ultralight.
Osceola County, Florida
Osceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 172,493. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 244,045, making it the 17th fastest-growing county in the United States. Its county seat is Kissimmee.- History :Osceola County was...
, 13 nautical miles (24 km) northwest of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Lake Buena Vista
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Lake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney World Resort. It is one of two Florida municipalities controlled by The Walt Disney Company, the other being Bay Lake....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was privately owned by the Walt Disney World Company
Walt Disney World Company
The Walt Disney World Company manages and operates the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The resort land is owned by the Walt Disney World Company, the Walt Disney Travel Company, and the Walt Disney World Hospitality and Recreation Corporation. All are wholly owned subsidiaries of...
, and was used to launch aircraft used in the "Skylaidescope" show at Epcot
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
.
Although still listed active in FAA records as recently as September 2010, this facility apparently closed sometime prior to 2001. The site is now covered by buildings for the second phase of Disney's Pop Century Resort
Disney's Pop Century Resort
Disney's Pop Century Resort is a resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. It is one of four hotels that make up the "value resort" group, along with the Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, and Disney's All-Star Music Resort. The hotel is themed around different decades...
, known as the Legendary Years, which not been completed. It was delayed when the 9/11 attacks occurred and caused the tourism industry to drop off. The new Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney's Art of Animation Resort is a future resort within Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It is located where construction on the unfinished half of Disney's Pop Century Resort was started but later abandoned after the September 11 attacks.The resort is the first to be built...
, scheduled to open in 2012, is currently being built on this land.
Facilities and aircraft
Epcot Center Ultralight Flightpark had one circular runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
designated "ALL/WAY" with a 424 x 424 ft (129 x 129 m) turf
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
surface. There were 20 aircraft based at this airport: 50% single-engine
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
and 50% ultralight.