Dear Cape Friends,
One of my favorite lines from the classic movie Airplane! is:
“Surely, you can’t be serious… I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.”Being serious for a minute…
Before we take off - if you’re new here, welcome! Each week I share what’s happening in Cape Cod real estate, sprinkled with local flavor and the occasional detour (this week: Chatham Airport).
Cape airports don’t have to be big to matter. Take Chatham Municipal Airport (CQX) - a public-use, general aviation field with a 3,001-foot runway just two miles from Main Street. Every airport worldwide has a three-letter identifier. Pilots use these codes in flight plans, on charts, and over the radio - it’s essentially Chatham’s call sign in the sky. As an example: Boston Logan is BOS, New York is JFK, Los Angeles is LAX… and then there’s Chatham: CQX.
For nearly a century, CQX has been one of Chatham’s quiet gems. It connects us to the world - supporting tourism, commerce, emergency services, and the many pilots who call Cape Cod home. In summer, shark-spotter planes even launch from CQX to patrol our beaches. From medivac flights to sightseeing tours, this small airport delivers big value.
Two great pilot-friends (and Chatham residents) put it best:
- CDR Don Broderick, USN (Ret.), callsign “Blades”: “CQX isn’t just an airport- it’s a community hub in the sky. From medivac to recreation, it’s an asset that makes Cape Cod safer and stronger.”
- Hart Fessenden: “For me, CQX is more than convenience - it’s a lifeline. As an Angel Flight pilot, I’ve seen firsthand how a small airport like this can save lives by connecting patients with critical care.”
(If you’re not familiar, Angel Flight New England is a nonprofit that coordinates free air transportation for patients in need of life-saving medical care. CQX makes those missions possible right here in Chatham.)
Of course, like any airport, CQX isn’t without quirks. Aircraft noise pops up now and then -especially on summer weekends - but most locals see it as part of the town’s charm, a small trade-off for the convenience, safety, and economic benefits CQX brings.
So why highlight this in a real estate newsletter? - A strong community builds a strong market. CQX isn’t just an airstrip - it’s part of the fabric that makes Chatham such a special place to live, work, and even invest. Every flight that brings in a family, a weekend visitor, or a business traveler fuels the local economy, supports demand for housing, and sustains property values.
According to MassDOT, CQX supports approximately 156 jobs and nearly $14M in annual output - numbers that ripple through restaurants, trades, and shops across Chatham. It’s proof that this little airport quietly sustains the market we all depend on.
And let’s not forget one of CQX’s best-kept secrets: Hangar B Eatery. Where else can you sip coffee or enjoy blueberry pancakes while small planes take off just feet away? It’s one of the most unique dining views on the Cape - and another reason the airport is such a community treasure.
Finally, a heartfelt thank-you to both my friends - CDR Don Broderick for his career of service as a distinguished Navy pilot, and to Hart Fessenden for his selfless work with Angel Flight, helping those in need through missions that truly change everyday peoples lives. Godspeed and clear skies, gents!
And if you’re starting to think about buying or selling, PaulBorde.com is always a great resource to browse current listings, catch past newsletters and stay current on the market (and - if I may say so - read some Pulitzer Prize–level past updates.)
if you’re around Friday morning please swing by Chatham Perk for the very BEST coffee in town. I’ll be there…
