Cleared for Takeoff – March 2005
by Pat Halligan, Chapter 25 President
from On Final March 2005
Some people might say this is a bad time to be in the aviation business with a gallon of aviation fuel at $2.50 a gallon, hangar fees rising and insurance continuing to climb. But then we see Steve Fossett fly around the world solo or White Knight launch Space Ship One into outer space and I think how cool it is that we are alive to witness these events. I have the funny feeling AirVenture is going to be one exciting place this summer. You should feel proud to count yourself among the group known as “aviators”.
A few days ago I had an email from Phil Schaffer about a meeting regarding the closing of the Grantsburg, WI airport and I also recall hearing some talk about closing the Buffalo, MN airport a while back. You might recall I wrote about the Crystal Airport meetings at the state capitol recently and how we needed to keep an eye on events that affect us general aviation folks. These are the kind of events I was referring to. It looks to me like there are people (developers, politicians, commissioners etc…) that would like to close an airport here and one there, for their own personal gain. They might say it is for noise or safety or whatever, but usually it is because there is something in it for them. MONEY? We need to become involved.
Last month I received a mailing from MN State Senator Mike Jungbauer on a couple of bills he has sponsored that are favorable to our general aviation cause. I was pleased when I picked up the February issue of the Midwest Flyer to see some good legislative articles that affect us both locally and nationally. A few days ago I was reading my copy of AOPA and I saw how they teamed up with Senator Jungbauer on a couple of his aviation bills and yesterday AOPA was in Minnesota testifying on our behalf.
What I’m hoping to get is a few chapter members that have the time to attend meetings and hearings and then keep us informed on the aviation issues that affect us. They could keep us informed via our newsletter, website or maybe bring a legislator to one of our monthly meetings. They could give us a heads-up on when or to whom we should send an email that could help our cause. If this sounds like something that would be of interest to you, please let me know as you would be doing a great service to your chapter. Our hangar is a fantastic asset and I would hate to see it disappear in ten years because we didn’t get involved and someone built a casino with a stadium for the Vikings and the world’s largest Wal-Mart right where we used to fly airplanes. (Don’t forget there used to be an airport on Cedar & Co. Rd. 42–Southport.)
By the time you read this our annual chili feed will be over for another year. The chili feed to me is like seeing the first robin of the year; it means spring is just around the corner. Don’t forget that when you come to these chapter events you can bring family, neighbors or friends. The more the merrier.
We are always looking for more of our members to become Young Eagle pilots. I can’t put into words how much fun it is to give a youngster a ride. I know some of you have thought about it, but you are not quite sure how it would go, so you haven’t tried it. Trust me, you’ll love it. Give it a shot.
Happy St. Paddy’s day from Patrick Ohhhh Halligan