A new residential airpark community in Afton, Wyoming, has officially received FAA approval for direct access to the runway at Afton Municipal Airport (KAFO), Flying reports.
The development, known as Afton Sky Ranches, will offer estate-sized lots with private aviation access, making it an attractive option for pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
Afton Sky Ranches is the brainchild of Alexander Heap, a real estate developer with deep ties to aviation. Though his career initially took a different path, Heap’s early exposure to aviation—through his father, Theodore Howard Heap, who co-founded Air Oregon in 1977—ultimately influenced his return to the industry.
Heap’s company, Third Eye Development, has a track record of developing aviation-related properties, including hangars and RV parks. Afton Sky Ranches marks his first foray into airpark communities, and he is already seeing significant interest in the project.
Located at the southwest corner of Afton Municipal Airport’s 7,025-foot-long runway, Afton Sky Ranches will feature just five exclusive lots, ranging from five to nearly ten acres each. The development includes a pilot-controlled, 100-foot-wide access gate that can accommodate aircraft with wingspans of up to 80 feet.
Each lot is designed with high-end amenities, including city services, irrigation water rights, and access to gigabit fiber internet. The combination of luxury, privacy, and direct airport access has generated strong demand, with an overwhelming response from prospective buyers following the project’s announcement.
Securing FAA approval for through-the-fence access was a key milestone for the project. The process, which took several years, required coordination with engineering firms, the Wyoming Department of Transportation, and other regulatory agencies. With approval now in place, Heap is set to break ground in April, with construction expected to be completed by August.
Heap carefully selected Afton as the site for his first airpark after evaluating multiple locations, including Driggs, Idaho, and Pinedale, Wyoming. Afton stood out due to its strategic location as an alternate airport for Jackson Hole (KJAC) and its long runway capable of accommodating a variety of aircraft sizes.
Beyond aviation, Afton offers a range of outdoor recreational opportunities, from world-class fishing and hunting to nearby ski resorts and snowmobiling trails. The region’s natural beauty and access to outdoor activities add to the appeal of Afton Sky Ranches for potential residents.
With Afton Sky Ranches moving forward, Heap is already looking ahead to future projects. He is currently developing a fully gated airpark in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, which will feature a private 6,000-foot runway and estate-sized lots. Additionally, he is working on an FBO (Fixed Base Operator) facility at Ontario Municipal Airport (KONO) in Oregon, complete with a fuel station, restaurant, and large aircraft hangars.
