Skydive Laconia?

[RLW]

Sorry. I personally disagree with just about everything you state. One thing regarding the federal tax dollars and what you state is the ONLY thing they cover and that is the runways and capital upgrades. I'm willing to bet that is close to or if it isn't the largest part of the LLA budget. You have your so called business, let others try to build on theirs. If a problem HAPPENS then let the proper people take the corrective action.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by RLW

Sorry. I personally disagree with just about everything you state. One thing regarding the federal tax dollars and what you state is the ONLY thing they cover and that is the runways and capital upgrades. I'm willing to bet that is close to or if it isn't the largest part of the LLA budget. You have your so called business, let others try to build on theirs. If a problem HAPPENS then let the proper people take the corrective action.

Just how supportive that local folks are, and can be! Shortsightedness has no place to go when businessmen in any given community, decide to go against progress, as the rest of us know it! We have all been very enlightened by this very thread, about how difficult, and a struggle can be! Yes, red tape Abounds in most walks of life! We however have been let to a very clear choice as and this will help move us on, and bring a more positive ring to one of the very most very wonderful places on Earth, and again may I add that, The Noonan's will bring all or us closer to Heaven, than any of us ever thought possible! And as the Lakes Region 'Doos, every day!

Now, and again, just get there, it'll make you warm and more comfortable!

Terry
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[TheNoonans]

Sorry Bill,

You can't have it both ways. You can't state over and over again that the LAA and the town have the right to decide what is suitable for the airport and then turn around and now say it's up to the FAA.......

Fact: The LAA can say yes or no to any business owners proposing an aeronautical activity on the airport.

Fact: If they say no to something the FAA finds no objections to, the FAA will order them to allow the aeronautical business or forfeit future federal funding and refund the last ten years of funding they received.

Fact: The local FAA report you keep referencing, that "objectionable one" was so completely erroneous, it's spurred internal FAA action at a federal level.

Regarding the Selectmen. We never intended to change their minds, just educate them. If I elected anyone that viewed learning more about a current issue within my community as a "waste of time", I wouldn't re-elect them.

Fact: The "public comments" the local FAA requested will have absolutely no bearing on the ruling. Why it was even asked for again raised eyebrows at a Federal level at the FAA. Surprisingly enough we can agree on that one. The comments made to the FAA carry zero weight in the decision process.

Just following procedures, huh? In lieu of going straight to the FAA as obligated to do, the LAA created an internal "Safety Committee" and then refused to provide us the aeronautical safety experience and background of the committee, going so far as to tell us they are "not legally obligated to do so."

Your right again Bill, no one, not even me the "Teacher of teachers", will tell you that a customer of Skydive Laconia will never land on the active runway. What I can tell you is that of all the tandem passengers I have personally taken on tandem skydives in the last ten years, including the current President of Ecuador, that I personally have never landed on an active runway. Nor has any of the hundred of tandem instructors I have trained over the years, or any other tandem instructor that I have ever heard of. Can it happen? Sure. Will it happen, not likely. And while I won't tell you where it is.....you can look it up yourself......FAA guidance actually clearly states that parachutists have a right to use the active runway as an alternate landing area. And before you start fear mongering landing on asphalt, its not unheard of in demonstration jumps for big events to purposely land on asphalt, like in parking lots. Modern parachutes can actually land that soft.

The FSDO and some people at the local ADO have made the point that skydiving isn't safe. The supporting facts they brought to the table were based on data from incidents and events from about 20 years ago. No argument there. Twenty years ago, skydiving really was dangerous.

For the record, I don't blame the FSDO, skydiving is such a small part of their considerably complex job, and they really don't know much about it, especially modern skydiving operations on municipal airports. Current data and information have been provided to that office now.

I'm not going to comment on your federal funding statement, already covered by someone else.

And lastly, regarding smoke and mirrors..........let me define the term "ironic" as it applies here:

"Being accused of smoke and mirrors by someone who photoshop'd a tandem skydiving pair in front of a jet and placed it on the internet. A tandem has never collided with a jet, ever. But hey, it really helps diverting the attention from the facts, right? "

Honestly though Bill, we should probably thank you. You personally afforded us this wonderful medium to share our story with the community, and the community can see the facts. And you continue to engage us in this debate which allows us to continue to provide the community with factual information. What more could we ask for? Thank you.

(You STILL haven't answered my questions though.....what economic stimulus does your business bring to the area and how many full time jobs does it fill with local residents?)

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

[Resident 2B]

My opinion is, as long as my taxes are part of the contribution to the federal piece of the Laconia airport funding, no matter what it is used for, I want a say through the federal voice. I get no local voice as I am only a non-voting, five-figure, local tax payer.

My personal opinion is the voice we hear from locals with an interest in their business operations at the Laconia airport is self-serving and very petty. Shame on all of you!

Let the Noonan's proposal have its day in an open meeting, and stop this behind closed doors approach to democracy. It is simply not right!

Bill, you have just lost a good customer!!!

R2B