Platte Valley Airpark · 18V

From the GM

Personal updates from Dave Shull, General Manager. What's happening at 18V — straight from the field.

From the GMJuly 4, 2026

250 Years of Freedom and the Freedom to Fly

This weekend, America turns 250. Fort Lupton turns 150. And 18V has been part of this community for over 60 years. In 1903, the Wright Brothers lifted off at Kitty Hawk for the first time. What grew from it is something worth not taking for granted. This summer we welcomed our local Civil Air Patrol squadron and members of Latino Professionals in Aerospace to the field. Aviation grows when more people get to see themselves in it.

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This weekend, America turns 250. Fort Lupton turns 150. And 18V has been part of this community for over 60 years. It feels like a good moment to stop, look around, and appreciate what we have.

In 1903, the Wright Brothers lifted off at Kitty Hawk for the first time. Twelve seconds, a hundred and twenty feet. That was 123 years ago. What grew from it is something worth not taking for granted: the freedom to move, to explore, to see your world from above.

The freedom to fly does not make headlines. But for those of us in general aviation, it is as real as any freedom this country has. And it lives right here, at a grass-and-pavement strip on the Colorado Front Range that has been open since the 1960s.

We are grateful for it.

This summer, we were glad to welcome two groups to the field. Our local Civil Air Patrol squadron brought cadets out to walk the ramp and experience general aviation up close. CAP has been developing the next generation of American aviators since 1941. Watching young people engage with that world here at 18V was a good reminder of why this community matters.

We also had the chance to host members of Latino Professionals in Aerospace, many of whom had never set foot on a working airpark before. Aviation grows when more people get to see themselves in it. We were glad they came out.

If you are in town this weekend, Fort Lupton is hosting America's Birthday Bash on Saturday, July 4 from 3 to 8 PM at Community Park. Live music, games, food trucks, and fireworks from Coyote Creek Golf Course after dark. The city is marking its own 150th anniversary alongside the nation's 250th.

Flying in? CTAF 122.9. Plan your departures early. July density altitude on the Front Range is real. 100LL self-serve is $6.38/gal, 24/7, credit card at the pump.

Fly safe. Happy 250th.

-- Dave Shull, General Manager

Fly safe. Happy 250th. 18V. Fort Lupton, CO.

From the GMApril 2026

A Note from the Field — April 2026

The ramp was packed on Saturday. We hosted our first Pancake Breakfast Fly-In of 2026 at 18V, and the turnout was extraordinary -- more than 100 people showed up. Clear skies, light winds, a Colorado spring morning that reminded everyone why we fly. Events like this are how we build something real here, one gathering at a time.

A huge thank you to Erin and her team of volunteers. Events like this don't happen without people who give their time and energy.

I should introduce myself properly, since this is my first letter to the full community. My name is Dave Shull. I grew up in Seattle -- my father spent more than 40 years at Boeing, and aviation was woven into our family life from the beginning. When the opportunity came to take over Platte Valley Airpark, it wasn't a difficult decision. Community airports like this one are worth fighting for.

The past six months have been about getting the foundation right -- cleaning up the grounds, getting the records in order, understanding what we have. This will be a multi-year rebuild. I want to be honest about that. But I am excited about where this is headed, and I am committed to staying in communication with this community as we figure out the path forward together.

Fuel is at $6.38/gal, self-serve, 24/7. The grass strip (9/27) is in good shape this spring. Hangar availability is tight -- we have a waitlist at plattevalleyairpark.com/hangars. We are also working toward bringing structured flight training back to 18V later this year.

The pilots who have been based here for decades are the real asset. The field is theirs. We are just making sure it stays viable for the next generation.

More soon.

-- Dave Shull, General Manager

18V: 60 years of community. Soaring into the future.

Get in Touch

Have a question about the field, hangars, or anything at 18V? Dave reads his own email.

dave@plattevalleyairpark.com