Skydive Laconia?

[TheNoonans]

Greetings to all,

As the October 2009 LAA meeting approaches, I wanted to provide an update.

As I mentioned in the last update, the Portland FSDO found no reason to deny or limit skydiving at LCI, and the airport subsequently asked the ADO to do an Obstruction Evaluation analysis (OE) on our 2 primary landing areas and 4 alternate landing areas that we submitted back in November 2008.

I spoke with the FAA office that is conducting that analysis and it will be done by the end of this week, in plenty of time for next week's LAA meeting on the 15th. As has been our position all along, we don't expect any surprises from this analysis and expect the report to reconfirm the Portland FSDOs findings, that there does not exist any hazards unique to LCI that would preclude it from accomidating a skydiving operation, to include landing parachutes on the airfield.

Once this report is issued, and assuming I am accurate in my prediction, there will be nothing left for the LAA to consider in it's decision making process, and we would like to think that they will render a favorable decision at the meeting, granting us permission to operate.

Unfortunately, Mary and I will not be in attendance at the meeting, as we are on a plane to Kathmandu in three hours. We have been asked to return to Nepal for the second Everest Skydive Expedition. We will be gone through the 25th of October. For anyone interested, this year we will be landing at Gorakshep, a landing area at 16,500ft MSL, the highest "dropzone" in the world. We will be exiting at 30,000ftMSL, opening our parachutes at 21,500ft MSL and landing at 16,500ft. We will have a friend at the meeting representing us, so if anyone wants to contact us with any questions, he will be there to take the questions and forward them to us.

We look forward to returning from Mount Everest to a favorable decision so that we may begin to make preparations to open in May 2010.

Namaste!

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

P.S. - Speaking of "good flights", we are about to make a 14.5 hour flight to Qatar, followed by a 6 hour flight to Nepal. Long night ahead for sure...lol.

[Pineedles]

Thanks Tom, for the update.

I believe your salutation of "Namaste"!, is illustrated by my google search of the term.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...mast%C3%A9.jpg

Too bad Al Gore is the illustrator.

A question though comes to mind. As you have obviously been exposed to the "world" as far as sky diving, is the Laconia approval process a 10, it's in the bag. A 5, really tough but possible with a 50/50 chance. Or anything less than 5 where the prospects are zero to none?

[granitebox]

The Lakes Region would be fortunate to get such professional folks to set up an operation here. The delays in the approval process are embarrassing.

[TheNoonans]

Hi Pineedles and Granitebox,

Thank you for your support/responses.

Regarding Pineedles question, while nothing is truly certain in aviation, thus far every pilot, skydiving professional and FAA rep that has experience in both industries (that's the key, being an expert/authority in both areas), that has conducted any informal or formal analysis on LCI has come back and said every time, that there does not exist any unique hazard, airport size issue, or traffic frequency issue, that would preclude skydiving at Laconia Municipal Airport.

As for the delay mentioned by Granitebox, all I can offer is that Mary and I requested that the LAA contact the Portland FSDO for a site evaluation back in November 2008, and cited where in the FAA regs that it stated that was the appropriate course of action for the airport board. Had that been done, as it was requested, then all FAA evals would have been completed well prior to May 2009, or intended start date. For whatever reason (draw your own conclusions), our request was rejected at that time, and instead, the LAA elected to create a "Safety Committee" to evaluate our request. By May of 2009, the Safety Committee conceded that it was unable to reach a safety based decision, and it was only then that the LAA contacted the FAA to request the site evaluation.

We continue to remain focused and optimistic that this process will finally reach it's logical conclusion at the October 2009 LAA meeting.

As a side note, after a 35 hour commute, Mary and I are in Kathmandu prepping our gear for our journey into the Himalayas on Tuesday. For any adventurous pilots out there, google and Youtube search "Lukla Airport". It's an amazing landing to experience.

Namaste.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

[trfour]

I had to call LAA today. (603) 524-5003 to see what the holdup is about the Noonan's application to further their skydiving venture at Laconia Airport.
I was told that the FAA study was not completed, so as, they were not on the 'Topics To Be Discussed At The Oct 15th Meeting'.

Seems to me that there is a huge wrestling match going on with trying to go forward to improve the economy here in Laconia, but then again, standing in it's very way!

With the economy being what it is, I guess that since the LAA only notified the FAA last month to do the studdy, that we can only hope that the FAA can get the study done in time to give the Noonan's an approval and a window to operate in the coming year! "2010"!

PS. PLEASE LAA & FAA, Are You With Us?

[jr616]

As a side note, after a 35 hour commute, Mary and I are in Kathmandu prepping our gear for our journey into the Himalayas on Tuesday. For any adventurous pilots out there, google and Youtube search "Lukla Airport". It's an amazing landing to experience.


WOW! Be careful!

[SteveA]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...t_12247737.htm

Looks like they made it safely!

[SteveA]

http://www.everest-skydive.com/

Lots of photos, but I didn't find any video other than some of the stuff from 2008.

Good Stuff.

[TheNoonans]

Namaste to all,

Thank you for your interest and support with Everest Skydive 2009. Mary and I are back in Kathmandu aftert a three week trek into Sagamatha National Park in the Himalayas, healthy, happy and ready to return to the US. It will probably take three months to sort through all the pictures and journal entries, but when it's done we will be adding it to our website. To say it was the trip of a lifetime is an understatement....lol. All said, we ascended to 16,900ft MSL by foot (Gorak Shep) and I'm proud to anounce that a new world record was set today, highest parachute landing in the world, by myself and my co-ordinator Wendy Smith from New Zealand, when we landed our parachutes at Kala Pattar (17,192ft MSL) beside the Khumbu Glacier.

Don't know if the news will make it stateside, but it's making quite a buzz over here. Press conference tomorrow afternoon before our flights home.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

[SIKSUKR]

So impressive Tom. Congrats to the 2 of you. Can't wait to read about the trip.

[granitebox]

I can't imagine there are two groups in such a short time frame accomplishing this feat but here is a link to a similar (if not same) experience. No experience needed on the tandem jump.....

http://www.incredible-adventures.com...erest2009.html

Truly incredible.

[jr616]

I have always wanted to skydive. My better half, being a pilot, can see no good reason to jump from a perfectly sound airplane. What does he know -

Tom once you kids are up and running in Laconia I think you are the guy I want to do my jumping with! Kudos on your recent adventure and thanks for pointing out that crazy airport we had more fun watching landings on Youtube!

Keep us posted! I can only think we in a lakes region will be so fortunate to have such an experienced jumper in our Mist (midst too)!

[LongBay]

Congrats Tom.

The YouTube video is great. Hope to see some articles in the local papers soon.

[trfour]

Best wishes for the Noonans!!

More videos; http://www.everest-skydive.com/gallery.php

Click on link and scroll down to videos.

And, Blue Skys to you two, too.
Terry

[Sman]

How long has this non-decision making process been going on now?

Imagine if every new idea required the government/gov agency to make a decision in order to move forward

Oh, and the fact that they are taking this long makes me feel much safer about this process

I have no interest in jumping out of a plane, but feel frustrated for these people

[granitebox]

Sman, I agree completely.

The first post was in January so we're going on 11 months, and the initial request has to date back to 2008. Basically it seems the government is waging a war of attrition.

I hope the Noonan's don't give up!

[trfour]

to see if the ADO had completed an air space evaluation and submitted their findings to the FAA, and also to find out if the Noonan's were listed in The 'Topics For Discussion' for next Thursdays meeting.
Being a Friday afternoon, I guess they must have left for the weekend, as all I got was an answering machine.

A silver lining... If you will, over all the Noonan's have a tremendous amount of support here, and I think they have fallen in love with the area, so as bailing on their venture at this point and time is not an option!

Best wishes to Tom and Mary!!

[flyguy]

In spite of the smoke & mirrors PR blitz by the Noonans (accompanied by thinly veiled threats concerning funding) wiser heads have prevailed.

Originally Posted by TheNoonans

...every pilot, skydiving professional and FAA rep that has experience in both industries that has conducted any informal or formal analysis on LCI has come back and said every time, that there does not exist any unique hazard, airport size issue, or traffic frequency issue, that would preclude skydiving at Laconia Municipal Airport.

From the Jan 29 Laconia Citizen:

"Tracey McInnis of the FAA's Burlington, Mass. office wrote that her agency had determined that "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.

"FAA must protect for the potential corruption of the glideslope, the Runway Safety Areas (RSA), as well as preclude the possibility of debris being inadvertently dropped on the operating surfaces. The potential for these occurrences are the basis for the objection to the parachute landing areas."

In summary, McInnis wrote, "to have a designated landing area located within an area where aircraft are taxiing, running up and departing/arriving increases the exposure to risk. Given the information provided thus far, it would appear that the proposed skydiving operations would, at best, be a difficult fit into the operations at the Laconia Airport."

"Pedestrian traffic on active taxiways and runways has (also) been considered to be a safety risk."

Originally Posted by TheNoonans

When we walked in the terminal door August 2008, we had already "point/counter pointed" every possible scenario that could arise and had a solution.

The solution is simple. Land off airport, and be welcomed.

[jr616]

Noonans -
So sorry to hear of your lost battle.

[NoBozo]

I'm taking a big risk here.... I think maybe.....just maybe.. The Noonans were not big O'Bama supporters. After all......O'Bama owns the FAA now....... ......Nah; It couldn't be political..no way. NB

[Pineedles]

As a stupid American Citizen, as I am sure the FAA thinks of me, I think this decision is an indication of how the government intends to "help" small business.

Folks, it doesn't matter whether George or Barack is in power, the government employees are your enemy. They are political appointees and they will protect their turf to the detriment of any entrepeneur who tries to create a business. Of course there are exceptions,,,,,,,,,,,,Green businesses are OK. Screw that!

[idigtractors]

Originally Posted by flyguy

In spite of the smoke & mirrors PR blitz by the Noonans (accompanied by thinly veiled threats concerning funding) wiser heads have prevailed.


From the Jan 29 Laconia Citizen:

"Tracey McInnis of the FAA's Burlington, Mass. office wrote that her agency had determined that "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.

"FAA must protect for the potential corruption of the glideslope, the Runway Safety Areas (RSA), as well as preclude the possibility of debris being inadvertently dropped on the operating surfaces. The potential for these occurrences are the basis for the objection to the parachute landing areas."

In summary, McInnis wrote, "to have a designated landing area located within an area where aircraft are taxiing, running up and departing/arriving increases the exposure to risk. Given the information provided thus far, it would appear that the proposed skydiving operations would, at best, be a difficult fit into the operations at the Laconia Airport."

"Pedestrian traffic on active taxiways and runways has (also) been considered to be a safety risk."


The solution is simple. Land off airport, and be welcomed.

I for one hope that the Noonan's try and get this decision reversed in some way and that the above will have to eat his words from the past and present comments. Just my 2¢.

[granitebox]

The Noonans have proven their persistence. I would like to predict this isn't the end of the story.

[trfour]

Much more to come folks.

Terry
_______________________

[TheNoonans]

Greetings to all,

Well, like many of you, we recently received news of the ADO's report. We were pretty surprised at it's content. I honestly don't think it will stand up down the road.

I'm a little disappointed in Mr. Hemmel's continued insistence on bringing negativity to this thread, as we were the only ones bringing facts to the table throughout this discussion and the "threat of funding loss" has nothing to do with us, it's in the FAA regs.

Mary and I knew from around November 2008 that the LAA was looking for any possible means to reject our proposal, so when we finally got this report, admittedly we didn't bother expending the time or resources to travel to this last meeting, as we knew with 100% certainty the LAA would be issuing a denial.

To be honest, as disappointed as we are in the process as a whole, the fact that any answer has finally been generated is a step in the right direction. This issue is far from being concluded.

Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,

Tom

[robmac]

I wish you both and hope for success in your venture. In these economically challenged times it is always good to see people trying to bring economic stimulus to the area. Don't give up I think you have alot of supporters in the area.

[AltnBay]

Business has always been a war of words and power which I'm sure Mr. Noonan is well aware of. I'm also in hopes that the Noonans are rethinking there game plan,appeal the FAA's decision and take the gloves off when it comes to dealing with your opponent and drop the Mr. nice guy behind closed doors and get the job done. Mr. Noonan,You can't fix stupid so just go around. Business as usual.