YouTube star Cleetus McFarland is buying more land in Manatee County. He flies to the sky

YouTube star Cleetus McFarland announced in a YouTube video Thursday that he has purchased a private airport in Manatee County.

McFarland gave his more than 3.5 million YouTube subscribers a first look at the 50-acre airport in the city of Myakka. The video, which shows a P-51 Mustang fighter jet landing on the grass runway, had been viewed more than 1.4 million times as of Friday afternoon. McFarland described the property as “the ultimate slice of aviation paradise.”

“Aviation has always been a staple in my family,” said the YouTube star, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell. “I was born with it in my blood and it automatically became one of my passions.”

McFarland also owns the popular Freedom Factory Racetrack, 21050 E State Road 64, Bradenton. He purchased this property for $2.2 million in 2020, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

Two years ago, McFarland discovered the airport, located about 15 minutes east of the racetrack. He told his viewers that he met the airport owner at a Freedom Factory event and asked if he could buy it from him. After nearly a year of negotiations, the airport owner’s family agreed to sell.

McFarland told his viewers he plans to build his home and a custom hangar on the side of the track. He also plans to store a few racing cars there.

YouTube Star Buys Myakka City Airport

He took his viewers around the airport and stopped at several hangars, where vintage planes have been stored for years. One vintage plane owner said thousands of World War II pilots learned to fly in his Piper J-3 Cub plane.

The FAA-recognized airport, which will retain part of its original name, is now called Myakka Head, Bald Eagle Airfield. McFarland said it was built nearly 40 years ago and has one of the finest grass runways in the country.

According to public property records, McFarland purchased the property for $3.5 million in November.

“I had to spend almost every dollar I had to make this purchase, but I just couldn’t let this place disappear,” he said.

McFarland said he hopes someday cool planes from all over the country will visit the airport. He told his viewers that he plans to reveal more “hidden gems” at the airport in future videos.