Merlin Airport (2VA3) — Richmond, Virginia
Merlin Airport (FAA identifier: 2VA3) is a private general aviation strip located within or near the Richmond metropolitan area in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The identifier 2VA3 places it among Virginia's registered private landing facilities. Named "Merlin" — a name shared with another private strip in Amelia Court House — this Richmond-area facility serves the personal aviation needs of its owner within the dense airspace of the Richmond metropolitan area. Operating a private strip in a metropolitan area requires coordination with local air traffic control given the proximity to Richmond International Airport (RIC) and Chesterfield County Airport within the Richmond Class C airspace structure.
Private strips operating within or adjacent to Class C airspace like Richmond's must ensure their operations comply with FAA airspace requirements, including maintaining radio communication with Richmond Approach Control when entering the Class C surface area. The Richmond metro area's aviation community is well-developed, with Chesterfield County Airport serving as the primary GA reliever, Hanover County Municipal Airport (OFP) to the north, and several private strips like 2VA3 filling the remaining demand for close-to-home operations. The airport's Richmond location places it within one of Virginia's most economically active regions, where private aviation supports both business travel and recreational flying for a large professional community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Merlin Airport (2VA3) relate to Richmond International Airport?
Merlin Airport (2VA3) is a completely separate private facility from Richmond International Airport (RIC). 2VA3 is a private strip operated for personal use by the property owner, while RIC is a major commercial service airport operated by the Capital Region Airport Commission. The two facilities coexist within the Richmond Class C airspace with appropriate FAA coordination.
What airspace restrictions apply near the Richmond area?
Richmond International Airport is served by Class C airspace with specific altitude and communication requirements. Private strip operators within or adjacent to Class C airspace must communicate with Richmond Approach Control when transiting the airspace. The Richmond TRACON manages all instrument operations in the area, and VFR pilots operating at private strips like 2VA3 should be familiar with current airspace boundaries.
Is Merlin Airport (2VA3) available for public landings?
No. Merlin Airport (2VA3) is a private-use facility requiring prior permission from the property owner. Public use general aviation in the Richmond area is served by Chesterfield County Airport and Hanover County Municipal Airport (OFP).
Merlin Airport - 2Va3 Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Richmond, Virginia.
| Name | Merlin Airport - 2Va3 |
| Address | 2210 Walhala Drive, Richmond VA 23236 Map |
| Phone | (804) 276-3571 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Merlin Airport - 2Va3
Airports in near by County
Airports near Richmond
Richmond Metro Private Aviation Context
The Richmond metropolitan area supports a significant private aviation community across its five core counties — Richmond city, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, and Goochland. Corporate flight departments, owner-pilot professionals, and recreational flyers all contribute to the region's aviation ecosystem, which is anchored by Richmond International Airport (RIC) for commercial service and supported by Chesterfield County Airport, Hanover County Municipal Airport, and numerous private strips like Merlin 2VA3. The distribution of private strips across the metro area reflects the demand for convenient home-base operations by the region's pilot community.
Chesterfield County — where Merlin Airport 2VA3 is located — has one of Virginia's strongest economies, anchored by healthcare (HCA Healthcare's Mid-Atlantic division), retail and distribution, manufacturing, and government contracting. The county's professional class generates meaningful demand for private aviation, and the combination of Chesterfield County Airport for public GA services and private strips for home-base operations creates a layered aviation infrastructure that supports the region's business and recreational flying needs. Virginia DOT Aviation's Richmond Planning District aviation analysis consistently identifies the Richmond metro as one of the Commonwealth's most important general aviation markets.