It isn't unattractive

Post #56,844 by wharris2 10/14/02 11:44:38 PM Reply	It isn't unattractive It's just that I don't see how in hell you can do it. Please further explain. Around here, I don't have any takeoff or landing zones for small or large planes, and even helicoptors have to get special clearance. All the time. Every time.
Post #57,064 by mmoffitt 10/15/02 8:01:56 PM Reply	It'll be short-lived. A client's office is less than 1 block away from Smith Field in Fort Wayne (SMD). The Aviation Board (as is the case w/virtually all Fort Wayne politico's) is corrupt beyond anything any Bolshevik ever aspired to. The Board: 1) Refused to apply for already appropriated Fed money earmarked for SMD. 2) Refused to appropriate any money for maintenance. 3) Voted to close the airport, despite a public outcry, despite there being no other GA airport in the 2nd largest city in Indiana AND 4) Voted to close despite there being flaggarant conflicts of interest (at least one and perhaps two board members or family of board members stand to make a ton if the airfield is sold on commercial real estate deals). It was supposed to close in January, but a group of citizens filed a lawsuit to try to stop it. The Board's response was to put up a $100,000 retainer once they found slimy enough shyster's to take their case AGAINST THEIR OWN public. It is a shame, in an all too common way for Fort Wayne politics. PBS did a special on the field, Lucky Lindy used to stop there when he was flying mail and Amelia landed there once, it was the first "Baer Field" and the first airport to have commercial service, it has a proto-type round carousel hangar of historic interest (my airplane came out of it) and the same beacon since the 20's, among other things. A group has gotten together to try to make the field an historic landmark, but of course, the board is fighting that all the way. Sheesh, makes me even happier that I left that hole and moved up here to the lake. The (car) commutes suck, but at least I don't have to live in Fort Wayne anymore. My plane's hangared in Kendallville (C62) about 20 NM north of SMD (that's why it only took 8 minutes to get there ;-) And yes, Ashton, the run-up put more time on the engine than the flight did. But the difference between driving and flying definitely made it a worthwhile effort and one I intend to repeat whenever the weather gods, and my other clients, allow. :-)
Post #57,106 by wharris2 10/15/02 11:18:11 PM Reply	Re: It'll be short-lived. Sounds like a nice but doomed airport. Do you take hires? Just wondering, Cincinnati to Chicago would be a lot less painful if it were Lunkin (rolls my eyes, probably not right spelling) to Kankakee. The lawyers would mostly rather be what they are than get out of the way even if the cost was Hammerfall. - Jerry Pournelle
Post #57,447 by mmoffitt 10/17/02 7:45:56 PM Reply	Can't. The FAR's require a "Commercial Pilot License" for that. I have to pay "at least the pilot's pro rata share of the total expenses of the flight". To get a commercial license, you need an instrument rating (training can begin only after logging 150 hours - I have 76). But I'll get there someday. Murica is such a nicer place up there ;-)
Post #57,192 by Ashton 10/16/02 4:23:45 PM Reply	Condloences on the local politics swamp. Land of Quayle Lives, I Guess. But doesn't such a patently corrupt group galvanize some recall petitions or at least opposition at next election? That is - the real estate connection to the closing seems almost obv enough for midwesterners to grok w/o any o them agitators from Calif. or other furrin countries. (I've hung out in Bloomington over a total of maybe 6-7 weeks, is all. But that doesn't count for getting the flavor, despite a couple trips to Indianapolis - B is a Univ. town and so less oppressive generally.) Other flavour: sitting down at a catfish place enroute to Indianapolis and finding a placemat featuring 'praying hands'. No comment made; when in Rome or Podunk.. Ashton
Post #57,450 by mmoffitt 10/17/02 7:51:08 PM Reply	If only it were that simple. Aviation Board appointments are lifetime. :-( But wait, there's more... Yesterday it was announced that some one (forget name) has been acquiring land "over several years" for the purpose of building a "new airport". Wonder if any money has changed hands there over that deal? Oh no, "we don't have that kind of problem in Indiana." Oh, Death, where is thy sting?

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