My Thoughts on Tower Closures

There seems to be, as always, a lot of misinformation and sound bytes being bantered around about the pending closure of 149 control towers.  Much of the blame in the public outcry, Washington DC and the press is laid upon the FAA's feet.

However, that doesn't seem to be where it should lie.  Yes, the FAA did cut funding for all the contract towers that aren't getting additional Congressional funding.  But that doesn't mean the towers have to close.  That just means the FAA isn't going to pay for them.

You see, a tower does not have to be funded by the FAA.  The controllers in these 149 towers are employees of a private company.  That company could very well continue to offer controller services from other sources of funding.  For instance, a city owned airport could continue the funding of a tower if they felt it was a necessity for their airport.

Here is some text from the FAA Guidance in regards to these tower closures:

When the FAA ceases funding for control tower operations, the airport operator has a choice. The airport operator may choose to operate as a non-towered airport. The airport operator may also choose to continue providing tower services as a non-Federal control tower. The decision made by the airport operator will most likely affect what happens with the existing tower structure and the equipment inside.

So, bottom line is that it's not the FAA's "fault".  If blame has to be assigned, look at the airport owners and companies that provide tower controller services.

Now it's time to go to the hangar and work on the Eagle...

Just when you think you're ahead of the game...

Lots of stresses in life at the moment... work, vendors, family and now airplane woes again...

Unfortunately one of my partners took a wild ride while landing the Eagle yesterday, ground looped her on his second landing of the day.  While he walked away no worse for wear (thankfully!), Double Eagle has been admitted to intensive care for some first aid.

Initial inspections show that we need to replace the gear, wheel pants, one wheel, and all the gear mounting hardware.

  

The right wingtip scraped along the ground for a bit, so at least some fabric work will be needed.  I stuck a bore-scope through a rip in the fabric to see if there was any damage, didn't see anything of significance.  But a closer look will be needed at the spar and aileron attach points.

Along with this damage, the fuselage tubing is broken on both sides by the landing gear.  There is a suggested reinforcing of this area by the factory, I think it's time we do that mod.  Even though it means taking the engine off the airplane.  Hell, I did that with the Wolf Pitts six times last summer!

We have an aerobatic training camp in May, so the goal is to get her flying again in April.  It'll take a lot of work, but I think the group can do it.  Tomorrow I meet with some A&P's to review my initial assessment.  Hopefully I'm not too far off...

Sunny Saturday

Had a board of directors meeting for the Arlington Fly In yesterday and the weather was forecasted to get clear and sunny about half way through the meeting. Leaving home I checked weather and despite the cold, the ceilings were nice and high.

Off to the airport, pulled out the Wolf Pitts and headed up to the meeting. Afterwards, one of the attendees, Mark Peterson, caught me on video leaving on my way home. It's a great 7 minutes showing the activities you see on a sunny Saturday here in the Great Northwest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2_ycxNOK68

Playing Catch Up

Dammit.  Three months into the new year an no posts?  What's up with that?  Not a whole lot of actual flying for me recently, but that's about to change.

December was the ICAS convention in Vegas.  That's were the whole air show family gets together to plan out the next year.  The Federal budget is wreaking havoc on the air show industry, causing cancellations of all military support and many, if not most, big air shows on bases.  Sad state of affairs.

Other than some fun IAC, WPA and PSAAC club meetings, only one other notable event.  Attended the Northwest Council of Air Shows (NWCAS) the first weekend in March.  Got to climb into the cockpit of the Shuttle Trainer and get a personal tour by John Creighton.  That along with a great presentation earlier in the day on U-2 operations by "Huggy" Huggins made for a very educational day!

 

Next up is the annual Condition Inspection for the Eagle.  Then Paine Field Aviation Day and Acro Camp in May.

See you in the pattern!