Just northwest of Mooresville’s downtown lies one of the area’s most distinctive communities — Lake Norman Airpark, a privately owned, public-use airport that blends general aviation with residential living. But beyond its present-day charm, this airpark has deep roots in local history that stretch back more than six decades.
In the summer of 1964, a Mooresville businessman named John D. Gibson, along with a group of fellow aviation enthusiasts, began searching for a location to build an airfield that would not only support their hobby but also serve the town. That same year, they formally incorporated the Lake Norman Aviation Club (LNAC) and negotiated a lease with Duke Power for land on a peninsula along the lake.
By 1965, the group had cleared timber with the help of Duke Power and graded the runway with assistance from the National Guard. They purchased their first two aircraft — a Piper Super Cruiser and a Piper J-3 Cub — and grew the club to 51 members. A small clubhouse followed, completed in 1966, creating a space for meetings and social events.
Originally named Mooresville Airport, the airfield began as a 2,400-foot grass runway in 1970. By the mid-1970s, however, the club saw declining membership and struggled with upkeep. A renewed push in the 1980s brought the National Guard back to erect a beacon, and new conversations began with the Mooresville Chamber of Commerce about potentially transitioning airport ownership to the town.
A major turning point came in 1990, when club member Tom Wilson purchased the property with a vision for developing a residential airpark. His firm, Tom Wilson Properties, worked in tandem with the club to create a community that offered direct runway access to homeowners. Club members, meanwhile, could now focus more on flying and less on maintenance.
By 1994, the Lake Norman Airpark Owners Association was established as a nonprofit corporation. Today, the Association governs construction standards and maintains the runway and 40 acres of common area, including residential taxiways. The main runway was later paved and extended to its current 3,147-foot length.
Now home to pilots, flight students, and aviation lovers alike, Lake Norman Airpark is also the base of operations for Race City Flight Operations, a full-service flight school and fixed-base operator offering fuel, aircraft rentals, and instruction. Though private in ownership, the airpark remains open to public general aviation and continues to be a Mooresville landmark — rich in history and still soaring strong in 2025.
