About Us

The Mountain Air Pilots Association was founded to promote aviation safety at Mountain Air and to contribute to the education and welfare of the local community.

This site is operated by the members of Mountain Air Pilots Association. Its purpose is to educate pilots that fly onto our mountain. Funding is provided by MAPA (Mountain Air Pilots Association) and Mountain Air Property Owners Association (for weather information).

In addition to raising funds for charities, MAPA holds seminars on flight safety and makes safety improvements to the Mountain Air airport.

The airport also provides year-round access that allows Mission Memorial Air Ambulance Service to reach critical care patients in the area when access to the valley is denied because of foggy conditions. Under those conditions, patients may be transported by ambulance to the Mountain Air airstrip and retrieved there by the Air Ambulance.

A number of the pilots also participate in Angel Flight, an organization that flies patients to get health care, and flies donor organs to places where they are needed.

If you are interested in joining the Mountain Air Community or learning more about the real estate available, please go to the Mountain Air Country Club’s website.

Download the Pilot’s Manual PDF

Private Runway | Mountain Air Pilots Association

Mountain Air Pilots Association | Burnsville, NC

Our Location

For GPS directions, please use this address to reach our front gate:
65 Mountain Air Dr.
Burnsville, NC 28714

Get Directions

For activities in the area, please visit:

Driving Instructions From Asheville Airport:

Take I-26 West to I-240 East toward downtown Asheville. Take US I-26 North (Exit 4A) towards Mars Hill and Weaverville. Take Burnsville Exit 9 East past Mars Hill and continue 13 miles. Turn right onto Phipps Creek Road and then left onto Ball Road. Our Reception Center is on the left.

Driving Instructions From Westbound On I-40:

Take Exit 86 and turn right towards Marion at traffic light. Stay on 226 North toward Spruce Pine (approximately 23 miles). At the 226/19E intersection in Spruce Pine, turn left towards Burnsville. Drive 17 miles through Burnsville. Turn left onto Phipps Creek Road and then left again onto Ball Road. Our Reception Center is on the left.

Driving Instructions From Eastbound On I-40:

Take Exit 46B onto I-240 and take Exit 3A toward Asheville. Get into far left lane and take next exit – 4A (19/23 Weaverville and UNCA). Take Exit 9 onto 19E and continue 13 miles. Turn right onto Phipps Creek Road and then left onto Ball Road. Our Reception Center is on the left.

Driving Instructions From Charlotte Airport:

Take I-85 toward Gastonia (stay on that for about 15 miles). Merge onto Exit 17 toward Dallas/Lincolnton/Gaston Col. (and tay on that for 32.5 miles). Merge onto I-40 W (and stay on that for about 37 miles). Take the NC-226 Exit 86 and turn right at traffic light toward Marion. Stay on 226 North towards Spruce Pine. You will have to make several turns but just stay on 226N. Travel approximately 23 miles to Spruce Pine. At 226/19E intersection in Spruce Pine, turn left toward Burnsville. Travel 16.8 miles. Approximately 3 miles past Burnsville you will turn left onto Phipps Creek Road. Turn left onto Phipps Creek Road and travel 1 mile. Turn left onto Ball Road at Mountain Air sign. Turn left onto Mountain Air Drive and Reception Center is on right.

Community Involvement

The Mountain Air Pilots Association operates in compliance with IRS Code Section 501(c)3 which requires that most funds raised to be used for charitable purposes. This code also enables most contributions to MAPA to be deductible for tax purposes by donors.

Prior Charitable Donations

Donations were made in past years to various local charities such as Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, Cal & Carol Peddy Memorial Foundation, and many other charities in addition to providing several $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors at Mountain Heritage High School.

The largest MAPA fund-raiser each year is the Airway-Fairway Golf Tournament held the third Saturday of September. This is always generously supported by MAPA pilots and many other residents and guests of Mountain Air.