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YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY.
By the time you read this I will be in Oshkosh or on my way
back from the largest air event in the world. Many stories have
been written about AirVenture over the past fifty years. I think
the most interesting thing about it is the growth and continued
participation of general aviation pilots. The diminutive
beginning didn’t herald the triumph it has become. It was just a
small meeting that took place in the northland. Today Oshkosh
AirVenture is the granddaddy of all air events. As the
organizers like to say, “Come to the world’s busiest airport.”
And busy it is.
Back in 1971, the membership totaled 60,000. The traffic
count was 8,020 movements in one day… the next day it was 7,289…
with a weekly total of 42,129. The story in a 1971 issue of
Sport Aviation quoting Flight Magazine said that
there were at one time over 3,000 aircraft on the field. Today
over a half million people will walk, ride, fly to the event.
The number of show aircraft (2800) performing at this years
event will total about the same as all those who showed up in
1971. As they say, “You’ve come a long way, baby.”
PERMANENT TFR???
If ever there was a time to get involved, this is it. These TFRs
(Temporary Flight Restricted Areas, with a lot of emphasis on
temporary.) are becoming fairly permanent, it seems. That is not
good. A few have been rescinded in the past months. Thank
goodness those over Disneyland and Disney World are still in
tact. I know the terrorist must be going for our most important
landmark if they choose one of those places. Actually, it seems
a bit Mickey Mouse to me. I would be more concerned about the
mayor of Chicago who intends to destroy Meigs Field. I have
never heard a word about that event on National TV. Wonder why?
I know that AOPA and EAA are doing all in their power to get the
TFRs rescinded. It couldn’t hurt for you to call or write your
representative in Washington D. C. As a reminder, on our
home page you will
find a link to the NOTAMs page at the FAA website. Always check
it and call FSS (Flight Service Station) before you fly.
WHERE THERE IS SMOKE!
It appears that Meigs Field will soon become a soccer
stadium for all Chicagoans to enjoy. Even with all the fuss over
the Mayor’s early morning backhoe raid that closed the field
still going on, the Emperor Mayor has let bids to have the
airport demolished. Stories of more congestion problems at
O’Hare, near misses and general confusion in the air over
Chicago area have done nothing to change the attitude of the
Mayor. It is most unfortunate. Had the airport been demolished
by terrorist, there would have been an uprising. The terrorist
who closed it would have been in prison and the field would have
been reopened post haste. But since the mayor destroyed it, no
big deal.. It most definitely sets an example for those in the
other area to close down airports for any reason they desire. It
appears that we need to look for that smoke before it turns in
to a raging fire. |
