|
 General
Aviation Under Attack
As we begin this campaign in Iraq, aviation in this country
again changes complexion. A pilot now must check with a Flight
Service Station (FSS) before flying, local or cross-country.
Many of the new TFRs may not affect you, but the “Need To Know”
is very important. We now have a TFR over Disneyland and Disney
World, an ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) over New York
and Washington, D. C. It is important that we, as pilots, make
every effort to follow the rules of TSA (Transportation Security
Administration) and Homeland Security. If you want the current
TFRs go to www.fly-low.com.
We have placed a link from our home page
to FAA’s TFR locations. Don’t use them strictly for navigation;
call FSS for up-to-date information just before you launch.
A TFR can popup in just a matter of minutes. Who would have ever
thought that Mickey and Minnie mouse would be two of the four
most important locations in this country? New York City,
Washington D. C., Disneyland, and Disney World are the four most
important places Homeland Security deemed worthy of new TFRs.
Six Flags Over Texas was disappointed to learn of their lack of
importance.
Give me a break….
If it weren’t so serious, it would almost be
humorous. Once again, AOPA has come to the defense of General
Aviation and against Mickey and Minnie. It won’t be long before
there will be a TFR over the Grand Canyon. People have wanted to
stop flights over the canyon for some time. And then there is
the TFR over the house of Mayor Daily in Chicago. He finally
managed to stop GA aircraft over Chicago. And on and on….
Call your Congressman
Again, the call goes out to all pilots to become
vocal, stand up and be counted. Make that call to your
Congressman in Washington. Tell him of your concern. More
importantly, all pilots should respect the TFRs when in place.
To just simply bust through one because you don’t believe in its
location, will make it worse for all pilots. Fly Aware! Call FSS
before you rotate. Voice your concern to FSDO, FAA, AOPA, EAA,
TSA, and your Congressman. This is not a time to park your
plane; this is a time to fly. Only fly with as much knowledge as
available.
As much as I hate war, I wonder how our world would have been
changed had some leader of the world in 1938 had the guts to
take out Hitler before he invaded Poland. I know that 6,000,000
Jews would have lived to a ripe old age. The expulsion of Saddam
Hussein is not a disappointment. |
