In regards to the letter in the Aug. 18th issue about the New Jersey airport that is under attack (N.J. airport under attack), I wish to add the following: Unfortunately Mr. Walker’s statement that if the NIMBYS are legally successful in any way, it will set a precedent that will affect not only the airports in New Jersey, but airports ALL across our nation is a gross understatement.
When your July 21 issued arrived, I turned immediately to the back page…as I always do…to see the articles by Larry Bledsoe. It’s like having dessert first.
One of the funniest items in the last edition was the letter from Roger Lockwood of Sarasota, Fla., (No strings attached), in which he got so comically indignant over his little pieces of string and paper being referred to as “toys.” We all, in the aviation community, have our “toys,” whether they are ultralights, GA aircraft, business jets or C-17s. Glad I don’t get upset each time I am ridiculed. I don’t think my heart could stand it (and I pass a second class medical with flying colors).
First and foremost, thanks for your great magazine. I read each issue cover-to-cover with great interest.
The Boeing Airplane Co. is planning to tear down a significant piece of airplane history. The Plant 2 building on East Marginal Way South in Seattle is slated for demolition soon. This is the factory that employed 30,000 Seattle people at the peak of World War II, turning out B-17 Flying Fortresses at the rate of several a day. Rosie the Riveter worked there. The initial B-29 Super Fortresses were built there. The B-47 ran through there. The B-52 Stratofortress was designed and initially constructed there. This is a piece of Americana, a segment of which should be preserved for future generations.
Chetek Municipal-Southworth Airport (Y23) in Wisconsin had its first annual fly-in Aug. 6. What my partner Tim Knutson and I wanted to accomplish was to show the residents of the Chetek area how general aviation, flying and airports benefit a community. We also wanted to promote the airport and flying and have some fun, along with raise money for local charities.
I think VFR flight is worth saving and will fight to protect it (To build a fire…to save our airspace, July 21 issue). I am a member of several alphabet organizations that are leading the fight. As much as I want to protect it, however, we must realize that it will take only one rogue “VFR” pilot hitting an airliner to kill the golden goose of VFR flight. Unlike Thomas Norton I do not subscribe to the “big sky little bullet” or hope…you could fit all the airplanes in the U.S. over Arizona at the same time and nothing would happen.
Meg Godlewski’s piece on the Symphony 160 was an interesting read (Symphony 160: The next generation trainer, July 7 issue) and I noted with interest that the company is one that has at last recognized that many of us Americans are now a little (little?) broader in the beam. An almost mandatory requirement for two folk about to occupy the aging C-150/152, on a warm day, was a shoe horn and a can of deodorant or Lysol. Even my neighbor has added a couple inches to the width of his homebuilt Cuby. However, I was agog when I read Meg’s description of boarding the aircraft. Buns in first…then swing one’s legs OVER the stick? I am staggered that our delightful female tester made no mention of the fact that, just occasionally, a lady sometimes enjoys going for that $100 cup of coffee while wearing a dress or a flared summer skirt. My cartoonist’s mind went berserk at the mere thought of the pandemonium on the ramp, should a traditionally dressed Scot attempt an elegant entry to a Symphony! Innocent, young, fuzz-faced line boys would be among the first to determine the true answer to that age old question concerning a Scotsman’s attire…
Let me congratulate the whole editorial team of GAN on your very interesting magazine, some recent copies of which I have enjoyed reading while on (flying) holiday in Florida.
Why is it the fact it was airline security that was penetrated and commercial aircraft that were used in terrorist activity that somehow has been dropped by the wayside?
The General Aviation Airport Coalition has initiated a petition on the White House website that, if signed by 25,000 people or more by May 16, 2012, will elicit...
Air Racers 3D, the first IMAX movie devoted to the Reno Air Races, is rolling out across the country at select IMAX theaters, including the Naval Aviation Mus...
Really? Are there only 3,035 general aviators out there who are against paying a $100 per flight user fee? Click here to sign the petition. If you’re not a...
This May 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn fro...
This May 2010 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn fro...
