LINCOLN, November 3, 2026 — A legal battle over a private airstrip has divided this Vermont town, pitting electric plane startup CEO Kyle Clark against neighbors in a feud that has lasted nearly five years.
A CEO’s Dream, Neighbors’ Nightmare
Kyle Clark, CEO of Beta Technologies, an electric plane manufacturer, has been locked in a dispute with residents of Lincoln, Vermont, over his plan to build a 900-foot grass landing strip on his $3.5 million estate. Clark, a former professional hockey player and one of Vermont’s most prominent business leaders, wants to use the airstrip for daily commutes to work. However, neighbors have opposed the project, citing safety concerns and property rights violations.
A Community Divided
The conflict has created deep fissures in Lincoln, a town that values its neighborly spirit. Opponents of the airstrip, led by Marilyn Ganahl, have accused Clark and his caretakers of intimidation and bullying. Ganahl, who owns a 105-acre horse farm adjacent to Clark’s property, estimates she has spent $300,000 fighting the project. Clark, meanwhile, has spent $14 million on an alternative property in Charlotte with an already permitted airstrip, while continuing to pursue his original plan.
Wealth and Public Process
The dispute highlights the role of extreme wealth in driving public processes in rural Vermont communities. State Senator Ruth Hardy, a Democrat representing Lincoln, notes that the conflict has been challenging, especially given the financial struggles faced by many Vermont residents. Clark acknowledges that his pursuit of the airstrip has cost him an “irrational amount of money” in legal fees, while his opponents have also incurred significant expenses.
Legal Battles and Appeals
The feud has escalated into a series of legal battles, with Clark prevailing in state court, before the Federal Aviation Administration, and with Vermont’s Transportation Board. However, opponents have appealed these decisions, with the latest appeal filed with the Vermont Supreme Court on October 19. The conflict shows no signs of abating, as both sides accuse each other of harassment and intimidation.
As of November 3, 2026, the Vermont Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the appeal on December 15, 2026, marking the next significant date in this protracted dispute.
Sources
- This CEO has a dream to fly to work from the backyard of his $3.5 million home. To his neighbors, it’s a nightmare. – The Boston Globe
- This CEO has a dream to fly to work from the backyard of his $3.5 million home. To his neighbors, it’s a nightmare. – The Boston Globe
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Photo: MIROV / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
