Skydive Laconia?

[TheNoonans]

Here's hoping that 2012 will bring The Noonans to us!

Hi Terry,

Thank you for continued support and enthusiasm. It is very very much appreciated.

Most all these airports in FL. are very similar to Laconia with air traffic and being uncontrolled fields ( no tower ).. and very rarely are there problems...I've never heard of any in fact.. Usually its well announced on aviation radio frequencies that there are skydivers in the air.

Hi kchadw,

Thank you for your post. Mary was actually at Sebastian this past weekend skydiving. Like you, we see many similarities with the FL airports that sustain skydiving.

I'm not sure how much of this thread you have been able to go back and read, but the truth is, this was never actually about safety concerns, pretty much from the day we first set foot on the airport. This process (and lengthy delay) is really about outsiders (my wife and I) challenging the status quo. We appreciate your support and look forward to providing you a venue to watch skydiving on the airport some day.

To all,

The silver lining in all this, is that today, the Washington FAA is on point and fully aware of the erroneous nature of those two reports that the LAA cited when they denied our requests. When the national review process is finalized though, those two outstanding reports will finally be acknowledged as erroneous, discriminatory and in a word, FALSE.

As for us being able to open in 2012, that's actually going to be an interesting scenario. We would like to think that once the FAA in Washington announces that skydiving cannot be barred from the airport, that the LAA would finally own up to their role and responsibility and welcome us onto the airport.

What do you all think?

If (when?) the FAA comes back and determines that skydiving can occur at the Laconia Municipal Airport, what do you think the LAA will do?

Will they finally extend their hand and welcome us on to the airport?

Or will they continue to try and stall our proposal?

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,
Tom

[Pineedles]

Will they finally extend their hand and welcome us on to the airport?

Or will they continue to try and stall our proposal?

No to question one is the anticipated answer.

Question # 2 is obviously. Delay delay delay is the M.O.

Is public tarring and feathering still legal for local officials?

[Resident 2B]

My opinion is they will delay, appeal, whine and drag their feet as much and as long as is possible. I wish and hope this is not the case, but you are not dealing with open-minded people here. They have not gotten it, and they never will get it, that there are policies and rules they need to abide by. They like to make things up as they go. Big fish in the little pond syndrome.

I wish I had a different opinion and I hope you can be in operation this summer. You have been very professional throughout this process.

R2B

[RLW]

I think they will come around and quite quickly, IF the government holds back the money they give them for upkeep and other niceties they get from Uncle Sam.

[TiltonBB]

At some point this issue will be decided and what ever the outcome is, it will be final.

If it is decided in the Noonan's favor will they file a lawsuit to recover the last couple of years of lost income opportunity and any expenses they have had to pursue their dream?

[trfour]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

At some point this issue will be decided and what ever the outcome is, it will be final.

If it is decided in the Noonan's favor will they file a lawsuit to recover the last couple of years of lost income opportunity and any expenses they have had to pursue their dream?

A mute question. It is quite obvious that the Noonans would like to bring more opportunities, Jobs, and enlightenment Too the Lakes Region. Not over yet!

Terry
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[tis]

I agree with Pine and Resident. Unfortunately. I think I posted at the beginning that it would be a long tough battle. It is hard to do almost anything these days.

[Steveo]

I know I might be reading too much into this but I find this to be fairly suspicious timing. The Laconia Airport is having its FIRST Annual "Airport Awareness" Open House. If you read the article it is just huge propaganda on all the good that the airport does. All the programs, jobs, money it brings in. My suspicious mind reads this as a means to defend the federal moneys they get by showing all the good they do for the community. Obviously no mention of skydiving activity. Might be a good opportunity for the Noonan's and their supporters to raise a little awareness at the event.


http://www.laconiadailysun.com/index...n-saturday-920

[Pineedles]

Yes, the ad in Saturday's LDS has a sub-header that says,

"Come see what your neighborhood airport is all about".

It's all about stone walling a legitmate and proven safe business!

[TheNoonans]

Hi Steveo,

Thanks for sharing that link. Ironically enough, I was never notified of the open house....lol. I wonder if the FBOs took down those "Skydive Laconia?" scare tactic ads for the day? Probably not I would guess, it would be a great venue to spread their propaganda.

I'm not too concerned about it though. As I have been suggesting all along, the FAA knows about those erroneous reports, and that a national evaluation policy for skydiving is almost done, and when it is, the FAA will make a ruling and when they do, everyone will abide by it, us and the airport commission. We are standing by, plane and parachutes ready for that to occur.

On a related side note, while waiting the 4+ years for this Laconia situation to resolve itself, I have actually opened a dropzone in Massachusetts in the interim. This time around I was blessed to be working with a supportive and open minded airport manager and commission. The whole process took only 6 months to approve, and that included Mass DOT and FAA inspection and sign off.

So, while we patiently wait for the FAA to finish their national assessment policy that will finally bring skydiving to the Laconia Municipal Airport, we will be skydiving 125 miles south of you guys, just south of Boston, with the full blessing of the FAA, Mass DOT, Airport Manager and Airport Commission. What an amazing and refreshing change of venue and personalities. Everyone there is so supportive, encouraging and helpful, the way it should be.

Here's a funny little story for you as it relates to the issue in Laconia.....

While meeting with Boston TRACON (ATC) to coordinate our climb profile and drop procedures for our south of Boston dropzone, Laconia came up in casual conversation. The topic, ironically enough, was air traffic. You will never guess what comment the ATC supervisor made about the airspace over Laconia? (Now mind you Boston ATC coordinates with Skydive Pepperell and Skydive New England regarding Boston's busy airspace, so they are EXPERTS in air space analysis as it pertains to skydiving).

Yup. Without me even hinting anything, he said "Laconia is the perfect airspace for skydiving."

Don't worry.....when the time comes to address skydiving over LCI, you can trust I will have that on record for the airport commission......lol.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,
Tom

Edit to add - I have been so busy with my other dropzone project that I haven't really been here much recently, but I have to say, I am amazed that this thread has over 65,000 views. WOW. I thank you all for your continued interest and support. We haven't given up, not by a long shot. We are just as committed today as we were when we first showed up at the airport in 2008. (Yes, 2008.....lol)

[trfour]

The keys to The Noonans new Skydiving operation and business here at The Laconia Airport have already been made...

The LAA's stance against, even has their waste basket empty'ears upset!

I do have faith in the Gazillion things that the FAA has to monitor, and make important decisions there and upon, hopefully quickly, on a day to day basis.

Okay, I'm almost done!

Originally Posted by pineedles

; Is public tarring and feathering still legal for local officials?

Easy there big guy!.. Now, this is a big if!.. IF The Laconia LAA oFFicials should happen to get replaced, due to their own doing, we would just make it more difficult for them to get an permit to open an cool-aid stand this summer, that would give them any relief from there recent Unemployment.

Terry
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[Retired Ole Guy]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

My opinion is they will delay, appeal, whine and drag their feet as much and as long as is possible. I wish and hope this is not the case, but you are not dealing with open-minded people here. They have not gotten it, and they never will get it, that there are policies and rules they need to abide by. They like to make things up as they go. Big fish in the little pond syndrome.

I wish I had a different opinion and I hope you can be in operation this summer. You have been very professional throughout this process.

R2B

Hey if Laconia's political genuises cant get a burnt out ugly a&& looking saloon taken down for two years you expect this bunch of hacks to do any better. SIck Howie Carr on them

[AC2717]

and where is the south of boston location? as I am in Boston!!!

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by AC2717

and where is the south of boston location? as I am in Boston!!!

I second - Where is your new location south of Boston?

[NoBozo]

I Googled Skydive New England.

http://www.skydivenewengland.com/

Click on any of the City Locations and get a curious Bait & Switch. NB

[TheNoonans]

We are located in Taunton, MA (KTAN). The "Bay State Skydiving Center" made it's first skydives last weekend over the airfield, along side flight school flights, banner towing and all the other aeronautical activities on the airport. Just like skydiving occurs at municipal airports across the country.

Local pilots and neighbors stopped in to wish us luck and learn more about skydiving and parachute manufacturing. It was a great weekend.

Our website will be up later this week. www.baystateskydiving.com

If you would like to come visit us and or make a skydive, email me at noonantommy@yahoo.com and I will provide you directions and details.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

[AC2717]

that is great and right in my back yard and I have family that lives down there, get that site up, I am looking forward to planning another jump!!!

[Ryan]

I'm literally next door. Traffic pattern passes over my house.

While I wanted my first jump to be over the Lake, I might have to take a drive down the street.

[TheNoonans]

http://www.tauntongazette.com/featur...azette?photo=0

Front cover, above the fold.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

[dpg]

Oh my god not for nothing but can this post finally END???

[lawn psycho]

Originally Posted by dpg

Oh my god not for nothing but can this post finally END???

Obviously a lot of people are interested to see how this plays out.

If you don't like it, don't read it. Not that difficult.

I'm certainly rooting for the Noonan's.

[NoRegrets]

Originally Posted by dpg

Oh my god not for nothing but can this post finally END???

Why? The base story is not done yet. We have the plot, the suspense is building, and we should be entering the final chapter! There are many side stories within the main story that make one wonder what some are thinking but don't get distracted by them.

I hope the good guys win!

[TheNoonans]

Oh my god not for nothing but can this post finally END???

It will. In a few months when the FAA makes a return visit to the airport armed with a standardized national evaluation process. At that time, with about 99% probability, the FAA will grant us access and this thread will end.

As a side note, I am not on here regularly these days and only post when there is something pertinent to the thread. In four years, I have never gone on here simply to "bump" the thread back up to the top of the first page.

And of course, let's not forget, 100% of my involvement on this thread has been completely "reactionary". I didn't start it, I am only responding to it.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

[RLW]

Originally Posted by TheNoonans

It will. In a few months when the FAA makes a return visit to the airport armed with a standardized national evaluation process. At that time, with about 99% probability, the FAA will grant us access and this thread will end.

As a side note, I am not on here regularly these days and only post when there is something pertinent to the thread. In four years, I have never gone on here simply to "bump" the thread back up to the top of the first page.

And of course, let's not forget, 100% of my involvement on this thread has been completely "reactionary". I didn't start it, I am only responding to it.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

Well said Tom

[RLW]

I haven't seen anything posted at least on this site as to how things are going since 6-20-12. Have we heard ANYTHING good, bad or in different as to how the government is working on your requests. Maybe the election have taken over their time. I await some great news from you in the very near future as I'm looking to see beautiful chutes coming down into Laconia airport in the very, very near future.

Continue best of luck to the both of you.

[TheNoonans]

Hi RLW!

Thank you for the inquiry. Admittedly, I haven't been able to update much lately, as there hasn't been much to update in terms of news. And I didn't want anyone accusing me of posting replies just to keep bumping the thread up and keeping it on the first page.

Let's see, updates.......hmm

On a personal note, I had a great season in Taunton, MA this year with my new dropzone down there. Despite the concerns of a handful of people when we first got there, we have had a pretty much seemless integration into the day to day operations there. It is a truly amazing feeling to have a positive working relationship with the airport commission and airport manager. They call me and I call them, just to check in periodically and see how we all are doing.

Other than that, the big news is that we bought our first plane, a beautifully Cessna 182 which we are ferrying to Daytona Beach at the end of November after I get back from my yearly Everest Skydive expedition which I am leaving for to Kathmandu in a few days.

As for Laconia and the FAA, I've seen the document that will be published shortly. The FAA held off publishing it to do a "Re-proof" for lack of a better term. When it is published, based on what is written, the Laconia Municipal Airport will qualify as a viable location for a PLA (parachute landing area). When that is published, we will resubmit our proposal and the LAA will then have a choice, let us on the airport or they can continue to stand their ground and say no. This time around however if they say no, we will have the full backing of the FAA Compliance division in Washington, DC on our side.

Last but not least, during this process, even in the quiet times, I have maintained my contacts and relationships with all those FAA Directors I worked with in Washington. And somewhere along the line, I got this statement from the FAA: "The LAA has stated that when you approached them they told you no on the areas you requested, but said they offered you to land your parachutes adjacent to the North/South closed runway on the airport.......

Now for all of you that have been following this process since January 2009, has anyone on the LAA or the airport manager ever offered us anywhere to land ON the airport?.........lol. I told the FAA in response, laughingly, that the old airport location that Mary and I were offered to land at by the LAA was ANOTHER airport.....lol.....Moultonborough Airport.......lol

Thanks for checking in, I'll be back with more news as it comes up.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,
Tom