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Tom, might it be helpful to publish your letter to the mayor as a full page ad in the Citizen? That might get somebody's attention other than the forum folks. |
I really would love to see open canopies as I am on the lake. This would prove the America we live in is free for individuals to seek their challenges and build businesses unencombered by nanny's.
We are a vacation / resort area and it is hard to think of anything more exciting than this business on the lake. If tax dollars support the airport in any way we are being robbed and the Noonans are being wronged. I have toatlly enjoyed this thread and the insights of all. Thank you. |
Lets jump :)
As a local resident of the lake, i understand all of the safety and economical concerns. Across the country and the world skydiving has clearly worked or else it wouldn't be in discussion on here. And as Tom was saying about the not wanting to travel for pick ups etc, we must assume this is the same for MOST *not all* skydiving business' across the world. Therefore meaning *MOST* of these such business' are based out of airports. How often do you hear on the news " Para-shooist killed after being hit by income plane"? not to often as far as i can tell. So why should we assume that it will happen here. hopefully this all gets straightened out and pleases both sides of this discussion. Cant wait to jump if this happens :)
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This Is One Of The Best Threads This Site Has...
Although frustrating at times, our heart's of heart's are in this for the long run...
It very clearly shows how tough it can be, in dealing with bureaucracy! And especially when most of us have never had to deal with an agency that most of us trusted, only to find out how incompetent they can be! I very certainly see a big change coming here as a direct result from this very thread! Rock on www.winnipesaukee.com This has turned into a kind'a, David and Goliath thing out here! And I have no affiliation with the Noonan's, other than I have grown to love them for their true grit, their commitment, factor, and tenacity! Now, when all is said and done, it is my feeling that Oh yes, they have endured and lost some battles, yet have very positivity represented their forthwith and will win the war, ( so to speak ). I am waiting for responses from some of the E-mails that I have sent to the " so called, higher ups", on this very issue... The Noonan's should remember that they are not alone in this venture to bring more to the community here! We are 150% behind you! Terry _________________________________________ |
Gilford Steamer
A little more "reporting" on the issues the Gilford Selectman are concerned about.
http://www.newhampshirelakesandmount...2011.03.31.pdf Page 1, continued on page 10. |
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Minutes, From The Meeting 3/23/11...
Gilford Selectmen;
.3 "Laconia Municipal Airport – Skydiving Proposal – Selectman Benavides stated that the Airport Authority has not yet made a decision on this matter. Town Administrator Dunn added that because of potential safety and liability issues, the Board has been asked to express a position on the matter. He further stated that there is a remote possibility of jumpers being thrown off course and landing at the Recycle Center. Selectman Hayes expressed concern with the hazards present at the Recycle Center, but is even more concerned with the financial impact to the airport if their fuel sales decline because of this activity. For this reason, he would like to state that the Board is against the proposal. Chairman O’Brien stated that he would like to wait and see what action is taken by the Airport Authority. Town Administrator Dunn reminded Board members that a skydiving proposal has been brought forth to the Airport Authority in the past and it was denied." "Selectman Hayes moved to recommend that the Laconia Airport Authority not approve the proposal, due to safety, liability and financial concerns. Selectman Benavides seconded. Motion carried with all in favor." The above meeting on this issue sure smells of Kangaroos to me. Terry ______________________________ |
Skydive Laconia
I read the article in the Gilford Steamer. Nothing new, no surprises.
Although I wonder if Selectman Hayes could be a little clearer with his concern about 'What if a skydiver gets tangled with their parachute?"........In 4000 professional skydives, I have never been "tangled" with my parachute. Don't know anyone else that's happened to either, but it makes for a good sound bite. I would guess he was trying to say "What happens if a parachute malfunctions?" Valid question. The answer which is equally valid is: We carry two parachutes for that very reason. If I were given an audience with Selectman Hayes, I'd ask "What if a private pilot or worse, a student pilot had a problem with the engine in their single engine aircraft? Does that concern you? If your searching for probabilities and liability issues, you'd be better to start there. Statistics prove that is where the town's liability really is. My favorite line though was Selectman Hayes stating that the Laconia Airport was "not a very good jump zone." Selectman Hayes is not a skydiver and not an aviator either (that I am aware of), so for someone with no practical knowledge of what constitutes a viable "jump zone", versus one that is "not a very good" one, his position lacks any factual basis. Yes, he received a document from the LAA, their formal denial, but it was a document created by a group of people that aren't skydivers either, and most if not all of them are not even aviators themselves. So you are left with a group of people (the LAA) that aren't skydivers or aviators, that searched pretty much the entire internet to look for any negative items they could find, pasted them all together out of context, and presented it as lopsided fact. Now had they hired experts in both skydiving and aviation to do their research for them, they would have found at least three indisputable facts: Fact: 95+% of all dropzones are on airports across the country and around the world land their parachutes ON the airport. It's commonplace, it's normal. Fact: The FAA, AOPA and every other entity that oversees skydiving clearly states landing on the airport is the safest option. Fact: Based on it's size and air traffic, the Laconia Municipal Airport is an ideal location for a skydiving operation. So.....where do I base my facts? As I mentioned before, I am an industry expert. My validation of that statement? I work full time in the parachute industry, with my primary role in our industry is that of a tandem safety expert. Really. Those tandem instructors that take passengers? They are trained by the top 1% of tandem instructors out there, they are called Tandem Examiners. Tandem Examiners (the trainers) are hand picked by the manufacturers of the tandem equipment based on years of experience, # of skydives, and professional attitudes. SO, who trains that top 1%, the Tandem Examiners that train the tandem instructors? Me. I train the people that train the tandem instructors. A teachers teacher if you will........ When I am not doing that, I am traveling around the country and the world to provide safety audits at other tandem skydiving operations. I give safety seminars on all aspects of tandem parachute operations. This past February I was asked to give a presentation at the Parachute Industry Association biannual Symposium by the United States Parachute Association, or USPA. The audience? 200+ dropzone operators from around the world. The topic? Tandem Parachute Safety Protocols. That's who I am. That's what I do. That is the position from which I speak from. I'm also the Chief Tandem Instructor for Everest Skydive, the world's most challenging civilian tandem HALO operation ever conceived. The tandem team for the trip? I am in charge. So.........if or when the Gilford Selectmen ever elect to hear the facts from an industry expert, that is the position from which I will be providing them. While I have numerous right seat hours flying in aircraft, my wife Mary, she is the aviator in this pair. A graduate of Daniel Webster College in NH, with multiple degrees in Aviation Management and a private pilot working towards her commercial rating. And she has supervised the ground operations for dropzones on and off for the better part of the last ten years, including Everest Skydive. She has a better understanding of the FARs and SOPs of municipal airport operations as they pertains to skydiving than the entire LAA lumped together. Last thought: The GS article quoted the town administrator as stating that the FAA has been "persistent" in it's evaluation processes. Believe me, they haven't seen anything yet......the actions of the LAA and the bureaucracies that exist within the current FAA statutes that have allowed the LAA to operate with impunity and any lack of oversight have effectively opened Pandora's Box with the FAA. The FAA (at a Federal level) doesn't like to be told they don't know their job and moreover they don't like it when airport authorities ignore the requirements of their positions. Three things I can assure you of: 1) The persistence of the FAA will only get stronger as time goes on in Laconia and 2) When this is concluded, there will either be skydiving on the airport at Laconia, or the airport will have it's federal funding forfeited and have to pay back the last ten years of funding they received. and 3) The LAA has effectively ensured that when this is over, no other airport authority will be able to do other aeronautical business operators, what they have done to us. It's a win/win/win situation in the end. I hope the LAA is prepared to see this through, because we aren't going anywhere. Meanwhile, you the citizens of Laconia/Gilford continue to be robbed of a positive economic opportunity. They say their fearful we will run off GA flights? Drive down to Newport, RI and see the volume of traffic that lands there in the summer (don't fly your Cessna down there though, because they have parachutes and if you were trained to fly at Laconia your not capable of landing there with parachutes, they will distract you......lol). When you finally get there by car, you'll see an active airport with GA and parachutes peacefully coexisting together. It's the economy that drives away GA traffic, not skydiving. Skydiving actually helps communities keep money coming in during tight financial times. Stay tuned....... Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom P.S. - I wonder how many billable hours the LAA have paid out to fight us in generating that report and every legal document they send us from their attorney? They aren't worried about the bills though, their bill payments come from YOUR federal funding. Your tax dollars hard at work. Money you put into the system that is supposed to be allocated to make the airport available to new business, is being used to block new business from coming there. Ironic, don't you think? |
Only qualification missing
You aren't a Laconia/Gilford Selectman or on the LAA
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Skydive Laconia
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If I was a Selectman in a community that has a substantial reliance on tourism dollars, I would judge every tourist based opportunity that could benefit the community fairly and impartially. Based on what I have read and what I have heard about the current status quo, I don't think I would be very popular on the board if I did that. If I was on the LAA, I would definitely not be very popular as I don't cater to special interests groups and back room political wheeling and dealing. Even if I didn't personally want skydiving on the airfield, I would weigh all the facts before ever casting judgement, and if the facts supported the business proposal as a benefit to the community as a whole, I would vote for it, even if it wasn't what the special interest group wanted. Here's the funny part: had the LAA done what it was tasked to do in 2008, we would have been operating on the airfield by May of 2009. It's now two years later, post May 2009. Had they done their job when they were supposed to, this issue (and this thread most likely) would have run it's course. We'd have been proven right and there would be a thriving new adventure sport on the airport. Or (playing devil's advocate), we'd have been proven wrong, and our little "dirt road" business would have folded and we'd have been on our way. And the airport would be carrying on today as though nothing ever happened. But that didn't happen...... So today, two years later, this issue has become a federal interest item and is about to become a national news item. And the LAA is going to be placed front and center in that. We never wanted it to become a national campaign, but that's where we were forced to bring it when the LAA threw policy and statute out the window before we ever even set foot on the airport. Maybe they thought we'd just go away? If that's the case.........they thought wrong. Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom Edit to add: People "in the know" up there have repeatedly told us that the REAL reason the LAA and the two FBOs don't want us there is because they know we will work up there and THRIVE there. That we will become such a large part of the daily ops on the airfield that we will in a sense take it over. (For the record, that was never our intent or desire. We intended a happy medium of flight ops integrated into the daily flow. And we HAD planned to send our happy customers to the two FBOs for flight training, figuring the more business we directed their way, the better it was for everyone involved.) |
Dunn Is Done!...
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I would like to add, that, ( and not to be lost ), our ELECTED officials are very close to shutting down our entire Government, and this isn't about the Broads section of Lake Winnipesaukee. And, directly through their very own incompetence to serve the People that trusted and voted to put them in office, in the first place! This equates to a very sad day for everyone... " Town Administrator Dunn added that because of potential safety and liability issues, the Board has been asked to express a position on the matter. He further stated that there is a remote possibility of jumpers being thrown off course and landing at the Recycle Center. Selectman Hayes expressed concern with the hazards present at the Recycle Center"... Not to worry Mr Dunn, or Hayes, and 'doo not concern yourself any further, as we will not recycle you. I recall an resounding verse about just where we all came from. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. T _____________________________________________ |
'It ain't bragging if you can back it up... "
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one of the most famous teams in history - the 1934 'Gas House gang' St. Louis Cardinals. Before the season Dizzy said 'It ain't bragging if you can back it up... Me and Paul'll win 45 games this year.' Dizzy won 30 and Paul 19 on their way to a World's Championship." I don't know if people name their planes , like boat owners do... but maybe "Dizzy Dean" would be a good name! :D:D |
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Gilford History First settled in 1777 as a part of Gilmanton, the town was originally known as Gunstock Parish. Captain Lemuel B. Mason proposed that the name of the town be Guilford in memory of the 1781 Battle of Guilford Court House. The town was incorporated by its current name in 1812, due to a clerical error in the spelling of Guilford. Sorry... I'm a history geek. :rolleye1: |
Sorry all fixed now
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Holy erasure batman, I just looked below and Pickwick's post is gone. I'll erase my response post then too. Good choice Pickwick.:)
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I'm sorry Pickwick deleted the post. At least I'm not the only one who feels that way.
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Skydive Laconia
http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...848/-1/CITIZEN
The Selectmen are apparently going to decide whether or not to hear the facts of our proposal. If you want them to hear the facts, or even if you don't want them to hear the facts, I would encourage you to email your Selectmen and let them know your opinion. Also, if you feel compelled, offer your opinion on whether or not you think anyone is in a position to cast judgement on us without actually seeing a skydive onto the airport. If you think they need to see a skydive to be truly informed, let them know. If you believe that showing the Selectmen and the community the truth about the non intrusive nature of our proposal on the airport is a bad thing, and don't want the community to see how well suited we are to operate at the airport, then encourage your Selectmen to veto a demonstration jump. Either way, let your opinions be heard. citycouncil@city.state.nh.us Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom |
Skydive Laconia
Well, I just received a call and was informed that the Gilford Selectmen denied our request to provide them factual information on our proposal. They are content to let their position stand.
No Skydive Laconia meeting with the Gilford Selectmen. No Skydive Laconia "town hall" style platform to address the community. Maybe they were fearful of giving us a community platform? Why would that be? If you separate Skydive Laconia from this for a moment and look at what really just happened, it's down right scary for a democracy. Elected officials were given the opportunity to educate themselves on something that could positively affect the entire community and they decided not to pursue that. And it was free, we were going to fly up on our own dime. If they are willing to do that to us, what else are they willing to do that too in the community? Long after this issue ends, as a community you will be left to wonder what else is being handled that way. We weren't looking to gain their approval in our request, we were just looking to educate them. So as this evening comes to a close, now the LAA and the Gilford Selectmen have been given the opportunity to learn the facts of the issue and now they have both turned down the chance to do so. As for us, the 15th is "FAA Day", the ADO will issue another report on our alternate landing areas. If it's the same people issuing the report without oversight, we expect the same result as before, if appropriate oversight is provided to the ADO, we expect a fresh perspective and a positive result. Either way, we will be happy to have the report issued, as it will tell us if our next flight is the Laconia Airport or to Washington D.C. Stay tuned. Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom P.S.- Thankfully the internet has a memory. When election time rolls around those of you that constitute the 3000 views this thread had in the last week, can cast your vote for or against this type of democracy. If you support this type of leadership, re-elect them. If you disapprove this type of leadership, recycle this thread during the election campaigns and remind the public how your current administration handled this issue. |
Skydive Laconia
One last thought for the night.
A "Town Hall" style open forum isn't just the realm of the Gilford Selectmen. If you, the business owners of the community would like to learn more about our proposal and how we can bring positive economic stimulus to your businesses, we are happy to travel to Gilford and hold an open forum. If you are an Inn keeper or a restaurant owner and would like to provide us a venue to share the facts with the community, we are happy address any and all questions. We'll even invite the Gilford Selectmen and the LAA. (We doubt they would attend though.) It's YOUR community. You have an opportunity to be heard. If anyone is interested in offering us a venue, please feel free to email us at the_noonans@yahoo.com. We'll put it in the papers and give the community a chance to voice it's opinions. You all have a voice and you deserve to heard. Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom |
Another Blank, Shorts By Local Government...
They are so very hard and pressed these days! However, they may one day look back at some of their very shortcomings and reflect on that they could have served their communities better.
My sincere hope is that they will get a grasp and in tuned with the bears what have come out of hibernation ( all, and by and further ahead of themselves ). Now, local government has another fight on THEIR very own and inept hands. Their very own version and vision leaves so much to be LOST! It is HIGH Time for ( we, the People ) to get more involved about putting them where they seem to want to be, ( And That Is At Rest )! Please remember these Short Sighted elected folks and do away with them on the next, and in the ballet box! Respectfully, Terry PS. Toy With US, if you will! ________________________________ |
Skydive Laconia
Tom,
Your persistence and tenacity prove that you can, indeed, fight city hall. As a non current commercial/instrument rated pilot, and former air traffic controller (class if '81), I have nothing but admiration for how you are handling yourself in this quest. Most would have given up long ago...as I'm sure the town fathers in Gilford wish you had. Good luck in your continued fight for what is right. I can't vote in Gilford, but I wish I could. |
Get Real Already
First I should state that I am in awe of Mr. Noonan's posts. I have never seen someone so skilled at innuendo, smoke and mirrors.
As repeatedly stated by Mr. Noonan, ("Teacher of Teachers"), this entire issue is NOT up to the LAA, the local operators, the Gilford selectmen, the town of Laconia, local residents, Winni forum posters, or the U.S. Parachute Association. It is solely up to the FAA. Why he spends so much time with not-so-veiled threats and political hornet-stirring, trying to get community support that he says he already has is beyond me. My guess is that the Gilford selectmen recently decided- rightfully so- that there was no point in wasting everyone's time listening to the Noonans pontificate until and unless the FAA approves their second request. A wise decision. Why waste your time on something that may not happen? Prior to making it's second ruling, the FAA opened this issue to public comment. I and many others provided input- most of it was negative. As abutters with a vested interest, the Gilford selectmen were asked to provide their input. They did not need the secret business plan to do so. No conspiracy here, either. There are no sinister back door politics at work here. Everyone involved is just following the procedure outlined by the FAA. Get over it. For the record, I have never said that skydiving was not safe- if fact, if you read all of my posts you will find just the opposite. My posting the examples of the Golden Knight drifting onto a flagpole and the other recent skydiving accident intended to demonsttrate that was that while it is rare, it can happen. In fact, it has just happened again: 1 Dead in skydiving collision. The point is that one can never say never. No one can tell me that one (or more) of Skydive Laconias customers won't end up in the middle of the active runway that they meant to land next to. But that's only one of a whole laundry list of dangers that this ridiculous proposal would incur. Finally, I would encourage all to take some of the things you read here with a grain of salt. Noonan, Jan 2009: "the Portland FSDO finished their assessment and found no reason that skydiving could not occur at the airport." Fact: the FAA report stated "this proposed landing area would adversely affect the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace by aircraft and the safety of persons and property on the ground." Quote:
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Sorry. I personally disagree with just about everything you state. One thing regarding the federal tax dollars and what you state is the ONLY thing they cover and that is the runways and capital upgrades. I'm willing to bet that is close to or if it isn't the largest part of the LLA budget. You have your so called business, let others try to build on theirs. If a problem HAPPENS then let the proper people take the corrective action.http://i56.tinypic.com/bgz0af.gif
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As It Is, And Always So Refreshing To Know...
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Now, and again, just get there, it'll make you warm and more comfortable! Terry ____________________________________ |
Skydive Laconia
Sorry Bill,
You can't have it both ways. You can't state over and over again that the LAA and the town have the right to decide what is suitable for the airport and then turn around and now say it's up to the FAA....... Fact: The LAA can say yes or no to any business owners proposing an aeronautical activity on the airport. Fact: If they say no to something the FAA finds no objections to, the FAA will order them to allow the aeronautical business or forfeit future federal funding and refund the last ten years of funding they received. Fact: The local FAA report you keep referencing, that "objectionable one" was so completely erroneous, it's spurred internal FAA action at a federal level. Regarding the Selectmen. We never intended to change their minds, just educate them. If I elected anyone that viewed learning more about a current issue within my community as a "waste of time", I wouldn't re-elect them. Fact: The "public comments" the local FAA requested will have absolutely no bearing on the ruling. Why it was even asked for again raised eyebrows at a Federal level at the FAA. Surprisingly enough we can agree on that one. The comments made to the FAA carry zero weight in the decision process. Just following procedures, huh? In lieu of going straight to the FAA as obligated to do, the LAA created an internal "Safety Committee" and then refused to provide us the aeronautical safety experience and background of the committee, going so far as to tell us they are "not legally obligated to do so." Your right again Bill, no one, not even me the "Teacher of teachers", will tell you that a customer of Skydive Laconia will never land on the active runway. What I can tell you is that of all the tandem passengers I have personally taken on tandem skydives in the last ten years, including the current President of Ecuador, that I personally have never landed on an active runway. Nor has any of the hundred of tandem instructors I have trained over the years, or any other tandem instructor that I have ever heard of. Can it happen? Sure. Will it happen, not likely. And while I won't tell you where it is.....you can look it up yourself......FAA guidance actually clearly states that parachutists have a right to use the active runway as an alternate landing area. And before you start fear mongering landing on asphalt, its not unheard of in demonstration jumps for big events to purposely land on asphalt, like in parking lots. Modern parachutes can actually land that soft. The FSDO and some people at the local ADO have made the point that skydiving isn't safe. The supporting facts they brought to the table were based on data from incidents and events from about 20 years ago. No argument there. Twenty years ago, skydiving really was dangerous. For the record, I don't blame the FSDO, skydiving is such a small part of their considerably complex job, and they really don't know much about it, especially modern skydiving operations on municipal airports. Current data and information have been provided to that office now. I'm not going to comment on your federal funding statement, already covered by someone else. And lastly, regarding smoke and mirrors..........let me define the term "ironic" as it applies here: "Being accused of smoke and mirrors by someone who photoshop'd a tandem skydiving pair in front of a jet and placed it on the internet. A tandem has never collided with a jet, ever. But hey, it really helps diverting the attention from the facts, right? " Honestly though Bill, we should probably thank you. You personally afforded us this wonderful medium to share our story with the community, and the community can see the facts. And you continue to engage us in this debate which allows us to continue to provide the community with factual information. What more could we ask for? Thank you. (You STILL haven't answered my questions though.....what economic stimulus does your business bring to the area and how many full time jobs does it fill with local residents?) Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom |
My opinion is, as long as my taxes are part of the contribution to the federal piece of the Laconia airport funding, no matter what it is used for, I want a say through the federal voice. I get no local voice as I am only a non-voting, five-figure, local tax payer.
My personal opinion is the voice we hear from locals with an interest in their business operations at the Laconia airport is self-serving and very petty. Shame on all of you! Let the Noonan's proposal have its day in an open meeting, and stop this behind closed doors approach to democracy. It is simply not right! Bill, you have just lost a good customer!!! R2B |
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I have news for you - it's not your runway and it's not your airport. Did your mother never teach you to share? |
My mother taught me not to impose my will on others.
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It just dawned on me. Is Flyguy the only pilot that uses LLA? I do not recall seeing any other pilots coming forward to back up what Flyguy is saying. I could be wrong in that statement, but I bet there is far less against it in writing than there is for the project that is being requested for.
http://i34.tinypic.com/2q0t5di.gif and the best http://i28.tinypic.com/o9n8co.jpg to the Noonans |
Hi Bill,
Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you. I think that most of us already know that there is no such thing, ( as a totally FAA Funded Public Airport here in Gilford NH). Thank you. Quote: "Originally Posted by trfour Everyone knows that Laconia Airport is FAA funded... Fact: The only funds provided to the Laconia Airport from the federal government are those used for capital improvements, such as taxiways. Other than that it is self-funding. None of your tax dollars go to any of the businesses on the airport." How Much of the Project Cost Does the Grant Cover? For large and medium primary hub airports, the grant covers 75 percent of eligible costs (or 80 percent for noise program implementation). For small primary, reliever, and general aviation airports, the grant covers 95 percent of eligible costs. Some more facts; http://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/overview/ Terry __________________________________ |
For the record
1. I have not, and never have, objected to a skydiving business at LCA. My only objection is the proposed drop zones. I suspect that most of those posting do not know actually where those are.
2. My business is NOT based at the airport. In fact I fly out of 3 different airports using both aircraft and helicopters. 3. My business is not an issue here, and personal attacks on me have no influence on my opinions. Attacking me only emphasizes your lack of ability to form a cohesive argument. 4. My overall business will be unaffected no matter which way this ends up. I have no vested interest other than overall aviation safety. 5. If you think that federal funds pay anyones salary at LCA, you really need to do some independent fact checking. 6. I do not believe that skydiving is dangerous, and have stated this over and over. Tom is right- it was once very dangerous. Particularly back in the '60's. When I did it. Since then I nave seen amazing progress in the technology and capabilities. (And yes, I have been right next to someone gently landing on a concrete ramp.) Everything has it's place. The middle of the airport is simply not the right one for Skydive Laconia. |
Skydive Laconia
Response to your record:
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I've googled "Student Pilot crashes" on the internet.......dozens of pages of incidents. No parachutes involved..... Should we ban student training at LCI. By your resolve, we should. Quote:
Oh wait, I forgot according to you, we drift, we don't control our descents........yet you have seen the advances in technology personally........right. But you know best of course, your protecting those that can't protect themselves......and continue, by leaps and bounds, to be the most vocal opposition to this proposal. A proposal that you now even state won't even affect you............although before up in this thread you wrote that you would be "inconvenienced" by us, having to wait for our parachutes to land. Your flip flopping AGAIN Bill........ Which is it, will we affect your business or not? And "for the record" you continue to still ignore my questions: What economic stimulus and jobs does your aeronautical business bring to the area? Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom |
I thought this was important to the discussion.
How to Find the Perfect Weather for Skydiving.
http://weather.about.com/od/meteorol...iveweather.htm |
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I have sat by pretty quietly following this thread for the most part to see how the process plays out.You sir,have single handedly pushed me firmly in the Noonans camp with your rhetoric. |
Skydive Laconia
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When Mary and I found out about the "Public Comment" period, we already knew that the comments would not be considered in the report by the FAA, so we didn't pursue it. I suspect Bill's comment is entirely correct, that the majority of the public comment was negative.......from a percentage stand point only though. If the ADO only got 9 comments and 7 were negative, then "most of it would be negative", while the overall input would still be quite small. I point this out, only to say that if Mary and I really wanted to sway the comments so to speak, we could have mounted a campaign and brought the ADO hundreds of local and thousands of national comments from pilots and skydivers. We chose not to. There are a few reasons for that, the primary one is stated above. Based on our knowledge of the process, there was no reason to pursue the comment period, as the comments would not be considered in the process. So......when taking Bill's comment into consideration, that most of the comments were negative it's important to consider the audience that it was received from: 2 FBO owners (and those in their inner circle) 1 Aerial Photographer (and his friends). (edit to add: it's important to note that of this group, they all have a current business interest in the airport. Even Bill, despite his (now) statements to the contrary). That group I would surmise is the vast vast majority of whatever negative comments were received by the ADO. And of course lets not forget the LAA.......lol, I think their 40 page response could be classified as um, what's the word, I'm looking for? Oh right, it's negative.......lol Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom |
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Skydive Laconia
Today's update:
I had recently sent an email to the Mayor of Laconia, also the chair of the airport authority and asked two questions: 1) As the leader of another community that could potentially be affected by the Gilford Selectmen's decision not to allow us to educate them, do you feel their actions were appropriate? I just wanted his opinion as the Mayor. I wanted to know where he stood on that course of action. I got back a standard: It's their town, their issue, type answer. The answer was entirely expected, I just went out on a limb to see if maybe the Mayor might actually voice his personal opinion on how the GS chose to handle the situation. And the primary reason for my email: 2) I asked him, as Chair of the LAA, how many members of the LAA actually fly airplanes? I asked how many members of the board are current private or commercial pilots. A fair question I thought. This group that is tasked with deciding the fate of an aeronautical business proposal, how many of them even know how to fly? Simple question I thought. I was surprised to get a response reminding me that the LAA sent me a letter in 2008 informing me they were not legally obligated to provide me any information. Back then I asked the LAA to provide me the aeronautical safety assessment/training backgrounds of their "Safety Committee", the stall tactic group that the LAA created amongsts its members that was going to be responsible for making a recommendation to the LAA as a whole, in lieu of going to the FAA at that time as required. Back then we wagered a bet that no one on the LAA, let alone their "Safety Committee" had any background or training in aeronautical safety inspection analysis. So, we asked them to validate their experience to do the job they gave themselves to do (instead of going to the FAA). And they told us they didn't legally have to tell us that........ Why wouldn't you want to share that information? Is that the "transparent" process the airport manager is quoted in the paper as saying the LAA has been affording us? Anyways, back on track (sorry for the tangent.....), all I asked the Chair of the LAA to provide me this time was to tell me whether or not the members of the LAA are aviators? Current private or commercial pilots? The response I got was a reminder of the letter I got in 2008.......and an offer to resend me the letter........odd huh? So, I replied again saying I wasn't asking for the aeronautical safety backgrounds of the LAA (there are none) I just wanted to know if they can fly an airplane. What do you think? Is that information your airport authority should be willing to share with the community they serve, or should they be allowed to hide behind their appointed positions and keep us and you in the dark about their background and abilities (or lack there of) to perform the tasks they are appointed to do? You can email the LAA and ask yourself at: laa@metrocast.net or the Mayor directly (also the Chair of the LAA) at: citycouncil@city.state.nh.us Blue skies to all and to all a good flight, Tom |
Did the FAA issue the new report?
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