Airshow season has begun. At least it has in Florida, where the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo is in full bloom. The skies are blue, the winds are brisk, and the rain is at least a time zone away. All in all, the conditions are perfect for the central focus of this auspicious […]
You’ve talked the talk, now walk the walk!
As I write this blog post it is Monday afternoon, April 12. In a few hours I will sit at the dais at City Hall, flanked by four fellow city commissioners, all committed to doing the business of the people. But tonight will be different. Tonight will have an undeniably pro-aviation angle to it, something […]
Cardinal Flyers Unite!
There are benefits to throwing the door open and seeing who comes sauntering through it. If airports thrive on traffic and visitors, perhaps there is benefit to hosting fly-ins both large and small throughout the year, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Failing the willingness of the management to host the event, why not let the […]
And then Tecnam came to town…
Like so many uncontrolled airports dotting the landscape, my home field has always been a bit sparse on the business front. We had the FBO…and we had…you know, we had the…umm….well, we had the FBO, This has, at times, been a real point of contention for the locals, because our lack of GA business tenants […]
Singing the airport’s praises
It may seem odd to some, but I love spending time at the airport. Sure, pilots and aircraft mechanics understand the allure of the airport. But the average Jane or Joe may think it a little peculiar that a grown man has an interest in going to the airport whenever the opportunity presents itself. Part […]
Tavares, Florida: America’s Seaplane City
With a population nudging its way up to 15,000 residents, the city of Tavares, Florida, is a small city with big dreams. Nestled in the green expanse of aptly named Lake County, there is arguably more water in the western side of the county than there is dry land. Perhaps that realization was the impetus […]
Carpe Diem: A new mission statement
Winter Haven’s Gilbert Field (GIF) is located in the heart of central Florida. This part of the world is bathed in sunshine and warmth, and dotted with dozens of lakes custom made for fishing, boating, skiing, and seaplane flying. But there is another geographical benefit that has been lost on the administrators of this outstanding […]
The surprising secret to negotiating a good hangar lease
With the possible exception of that ego-enhanced titan of real estate and self-promotion, Donald Trump, most of us don’t particularly relish the idea of sitting down to hammer out a new contract. We don’t care for the process at the car dealership, we’re skittish in the lawyer’s office where we close on our homes, and […]
Uh, can anybody help me…please?
Situational awareness is a big deal at the airport. Just as pilots need to have a clear picture of what’s going on around them in the ether, airport managers need to have a solid grasp of the condition of the field they are responsible for. Similarly, airport advisory board members, and their support staff, need […]