Proposal to Fix Tower Closures

[Dale]

Wow, the enormous loss of jobs and the economic impact to the area, would be quite substantial to just close the airport. If we were to start down the path of closing every towered airport that doesn't have approach radar, that would be quite a mess wouldn't you think?

I am doing some legal work at some small airports where the local aviation authorities are trying to expand their airports based on the positive impact the airport will have on the local economy. I don't think closing any airport for lack of approach radar is a good thing for the local aviation community or the surrounding communities in general that reap the benefits of the economic impact the airport provides.

[gregwatts]

I don't think he meant [close the airport]........I think he meant [close the tower].       Or at least I hope so!

[Dale]

I hope so also. However, if they close the tower at KHWO, they will be forced to close 2 runways, as apparently you cannot safely operate parallel runways without a tower. That comes from the aviation authority. Consequently, you will ultimately lose a lot of operations and that will have a strong economic impact on the community and the aviation businesses at the airport.

[aaronk25]

Greg is right, Dale misread what I meant. Small airports are great, but I dont believe that need a tower if their not radar equipped.

[gregwatts]

That airport really does need a tower! I have seen almost disasters there so many times. You need the tower just to maintain order.

[fantom]

I'm really worried about continued safe operations at KHWO. It's going to be bumper cars.

 

Ft. Lauderdale Exec 12 miles north, Ft. Lauderdale Int'l about 6 miles northeast, Opa-Locka 6 miles south, and class B, Miami I'ntl 13 miles south.

 

KHWO has heavy banner towing, a myriad of student from foreign countries with limited English skills, the TBM Socata headquarters, and too many undisciplined (as in spoiled) GA pilots.

 

Everything that's happening isn't even reducing actual spending, just planned increases for spending this year. We're all being conned!

[thinwing]

i am based at ksac whose tower is scheduled for final round of closures in may.We have heavy jet traffic ,3 flight schools and 3 intersecting runways...I can just imagine trying to get a void time ifr departure now is going to involve...hopefully no one is going to be scud running and than trying to fly to a fix for an airborne ifr clearance

[Bennett]

I really don't understand closing the tower at KSAC.  Quite a mixture of aircraft, including large jets.  I wonder how transient traffic will deal with the three runways on a calm wind day.  Yes, I've landed at many multiple runway airports without control towers, but KSAC is one of those places where the mix in size and type of aircraft, and certainly of flying experience, suggests that one day there will be a mid-air that no one wants. 

 

At first glance Salinas, KSNS, seems like a sleepy GA airport with multiple runways.  But whenever there is a major event at Carmel or Monterey, such as major sport car races, car shows at Pebble Beach, golf tournaments, jazz festivals, etc, Monterey airport KMRY fills its available ramps with large jets (like Gulfstreams IIIs and IVs), and the overflow lands at KSNS.  I've seen thirty or more large jets on the ramps at KSNS during these events. If the FAA pulls out the tower equipment, bringing back controllers, if available, would require a temporary tower to be set up. 

 

I think that most towers are there for safety reasons. I'm sure that a few are for political reasons, but given a choice of where to land on a busy Sunday morning, with lots of student pilots doing their circuits and bumps, I most often chose a towered airport.  I'm one of those old, no longer bold, pilots, and I would like to fly safely for a few more years. Feeling immortal is for the young and foolish.

[Dale]

The North Perry tower will remain open through September 2013. The county used current airport operating funds to keep the tower open while they explore ways to keep the tower open past September. Some of the proposals are not going to go over very well as they are proposing user fees and other transient fees for the airport use. Hopefully they will convince the Feds to continue to send the funds necessary to keep one of the busiest airports in Florida open. Thanks to all those who contacted their representatives and made some noise about the closure. It really helped.

[Marauder]

To Bennet's comment above (wish they would fix this quoting issue on Tapatalk), classic point of politics being involved. Wilmington DE (KILG). Slated to be closed but remained opened. Reason: national security, so Joe can go home on AF2 when he wants...

[Marauder]

Speaking of, how timely... FAA Safety Team | Safer Skies Through Education VIP Notice - Wilmington, DE Notice Number: NOTC4673 Notice: Expect VIP movement April 05-06, 2013 in the vicinity of Wilmington, DE. Pilots can expect airspace restrictions in conjunction with this VIP movement. The FAA recommends that all aircraft operators check NOTAMs OFTEN for mandatory airspace restrictions prior to operations within this region. Specific instructions and restrictions are available at http://tfr.faa.gov once the NOTAM has been issued. *Depicted TFR data may not be a complete listing. Pilots should not use the information on this website for flight planning purposes. For the latest information, call your local Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF. This notice is being sent to you because you selected "Selected ATC Notices" in your preferences on FAASafety.gov. If you wish to adjust your selections, log into https://www.faasafety.gov/Users/pub/preferences.aspx where you can update your preferences. Invite a fellow pilot to the next WINGS Safety Seminar in your area. FAASafety.gov | Email Preferences | Opt Out Do not reply to this email as it is an unmonitored mailbox. Contact us for comments or questions.

[wishboneash]

Just heard on CNN that the 149 towers slated for closure will be "closed" on June 15.

[aviatoreb]

Holy Moly I am not enjoying this gamesmanship and roller coaster.  But I am glad for a temporary delay.

 

http://www.cbs19.tv/story/21892311/faa-extends-tower-closure-date

[fantom]

Just heard on CNN that the 149 towers slated for closure will be "closed" on June 15.

 

They are good at kicking that can, aren't they.

 

It's like dancing on a pin head, and all the while trillions in Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Social Security, real fraud/waste and billions given away on foolish political cronyism initiates are ignored and sucking us dry. Washington is just way too big to operate efficiently, especially when run by spineless media darling politicians rather than experienced business professionals.

 

Something is very broken and it isn't a couple of hundred towers. I'm thinking we either need a wisdom of Solomon benevolent dictator, or a new form of governance.

[Greg]

Madison was right about democracy.

[RJBrown]

There is a distinct pattern to what gets " taken away" by politicians. They purposely cut the things we want then ask for more money to reinstate them. The unpopular items don't get cut because there would be no outcry. Around here the state loves to cut roads and schools BECAUSE they know we are stupid enough to vote a tax increase to "save" them. In doing so we just enable the crooks.

[Greg]

seems like terrorism, or at least extortion.

[FloridaMan]

Has anyone mentioned the $500M we're sending Palestine or the F16s we're giving to Egypt? 

[fantom]

...... the F16s we're giving to Egypt? 

 

Why not....we can't afford to fly them

 

NORFOLK, Virginia - The Air Force began grounding about a third of its active-duty combat aircraft on Tuesday because of automatic federal spending cuts, including squadrons of fighters, bombers and airborne warning and control craft.

The stand-down will affect units stationed in the U.S., Europe and the Pacific, though the Air Force didn't immediately provide a list of the units and bases that will be affected.

 

Some units that include F-16s, F-22s, A-10s and B-1s will be grounded after they return home from their deployments. Other units began the stand-down Tuesday.

 

"We must implement a tiered readiness concept where only the units preparing to deploy in support of major operations like Afghanistan are fully mission capable," Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, said in a statement. "Units will stand down on a rotating basis so our limited resources can be focused on fulfilling critical missions."

 

The Air Force says the grounding is the result of cuts to the command's operations and maintenance account. The service says it must reduce its flying by about 45,000 fewer training hours by Oct. 1 than previously scheduled.

 

"The current situation means we're accepting the risk that combat airpower may not be ready to respond immediately to new contingencies as they occur," Hostage said.

 

The Air Force says it generally takes 60 to 90 days to conduct the training needed to return aircrews to mission-ready status. For affected units, the Air Force says it will shift its focus to ground training.

 

That includes the use of flight simulators and academic training to maintain basic skills and aircraft knowledge, Air Combat Command spokesman Maj. Brandon Lingle said.

[Greg]

I am not hearing any cuts to White House Staff or Travel.