Mallory Airport in South Charleston, W.Va., makes up for its short runway with obstacles and an adjacent hill.

by Bill Kight

My Mooney needed a trip to Evansville, Ind., for some avionics work. A straight-in to the 3,500-foot east/west general aviation runway at my destination would put me right at the radio shop’s front door upon exiting the runway. I asked approach control for that runway instead of the usual 8,000-foot ILS runway.

On the Evansville Approach frequency with me was a King Air 200. After hearing ATC issue me a visual approach to the GA runway, the King Air pilot requested the same. He felt the need to rationalize his request, and explained to the controller that he was scheduled to fly into a short runway later in the…