----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
When I open up my web site with legislator ratings on GA matters, I hope you will rate the recipients of your appeal on their response. And then alert them that you have done so, and that they now have a public rating available to all voters, where GA pilots can see who helps them, who hurts them, and who ignores their problems. Greg At 09:39 AM 11/4/01 -0500, N161LH 3B9 wrote: >----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any >advice in this forum.]---- > >Coupers, > >I sent the following letter to my Senators & Congressman today. You might >want to consider sending something as well. > >------------------------------------------------------------------ > >I am a pilot and owner of a small, two-seat airplane based at the Chester, >Connecticut airport (3B9). Currently, we're grounded owing to airspace >restrictions around the Haddam Neck nuclear power plant. > >First, let me state that I understand and agree that national security is >of the utmost importance at this time. My concern is that the >restrictions which have been put in place do not really address the >problem, and are severely damaging many small businesses. When people >like me can't fly, we don't buy gas from the fixed base operator >(FBO). The FBO can't rent planes, the FBO can't sell lessons. FBOs >generally operate on a very tight budget, and the restrictions are killing >them. > >I understand that most folks wouldn't care if small airports folded or not. >But let's think for a moment about what a small airport brings to a >community. Not only is it a business on the grand list, but search and >rescue flies out of these airports. The police helicopters and the >Channel 8 traffic helicopter are based at 3B9. They provide a place for >emergency aircraft to land. And small airports are where the next >generation of commercial pilots often begin their flying careers. These >small fields are a crucial part of the nation's aviation infrastructure. > >I don't object to restrictions around areas which are security >concerns. I object to thoughtlessly constructed, simplistic restrictions >which shut down small airports. It would be possible to form restrictions >in a way which would required pilots at fields under the restricted space >to file a flight plan which would take them directly out of the restricted >space as soon as possible after take off. Also, if there were a National >Guardsman based at the airport with whom I had to check in with prior to a >flight, I would not object. I wouldn't even mind if that Guardsman had to >search my aircraft, although I suspect others might. > >It's hard for those of us who fly to describe what it means to us. It is >one of the grandest freedoms this country has to offer, and we're one of >the few places in the world where it's still possible to be a private pilot. >Contrary to what a lot of people think about private pilots, I'm not rich. >I live in a modest, two-bedroom house, I am a full time working mother, >and I had to take out a loan to buy my plane. I don't go out to eat much, >or to movies, or on fancy vacations so that I can afford the upkeep of my >plane. >It took well over a year in what little spare time I have for me to get my >pilot's license. It is the realization of a dream for me. And that >dream and privilege is now in jeopardy because of something which has >nothing to do with general aviation. > >After the Oklahoma City bombing, we didn't outlaw minivans. No small, >general aviation aircraft has been involved with a terrorist incident, yet >we are being punished nevertheless. I've heard a lot of talk about not >letting the terrorists win. Well, at 3B9 it sure looks like Bin Laden >has claimed a victory here. > >I hope you will voice your concern about the negative impact on business >and civil liberties that these thoughtless and reactionary restrictions >are causing. > >Leslie Holbrook >Alon A2 N161LH (Flying Colors #1) >Chester, CT 3B9 > > >_________________________________________________________________ >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > > ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.aVzvvT Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <A HREF=" http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.aVzvvT "> AOL users click here.</A> T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
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