Not allowing parking near airports? A start of bad things at BCT...

Today, after driving my sister to her class, I stopped by Boca Raton Airport (well, I stopped at Boomer's, a combination arcade/go-kart track/kids-fun place, as their parking lot has a commanding view of the departure end of Runway 5, and with the run-up area in front of the parking lot).

Before, the local security guard (we'll call him Dudley Do-Right), would stop and ask me what I was doing there. I'd reply, with a big smile, "Just watching the planes go by, sir." He'd tell me to have a good day, and that was the end of it. Then, after a while, they stopped asking questions, and would only look at you, or take your license plate number, or something of that nature.

That is, up until today.

I was told to leave by one of the security officers. Which is fine. He's doing his job, and I'm the last person who would want to interfere with that. I complied nicely, and he informed me that the airport authority is changing policies, that if I want to look at the airport, it's okay, as long as it's not there.

I've parked there at Boomer's. I have also parked a few times (during daylight hours) at the parking structure of the movie theater also on airport property. I've also been met by the airport security (which is done by a private firm, I must add) there, and with a similar response, "Have a good day", they would leave me at peace with my airplanes.

And to top it all off, how I have taken these photos?

From the MUVICO Theater parking structure looking north

Avitat Boca Raton, Jet Preview 2007

Avitat Boca Raton, Jet Preview 2006, Beechcraft B200 Super King Air

Avitat Boca Raton, Jet Preview 2006, Falcon 900

Avitat Boca Raton, Jet Preview 2007, Hawker Beechcraft Premiere I

And as far as they are concerned, what about my over 10 operations in small aircraft to Boca Raton? Or the time I visited the Boca Raton Tower last year with the rest of my ground school class (and no, we didn't do anything wrong...did we?)? Though they may have seen my car several times, they still think I'm out to do harm. I have been questioned once when a group of aircraft spotters from England stopped by BCT at the parking structure, snapped a few photos, and asked me for directions to Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, Pompano Beach Air Park, and North Perry Airport. The officer seemed amused as to why tourists would want to go somewhere and take pictures of airplanes. He probably thought it was pointless. Many people think like that. He probably didn't know the value of aviation. Many people either don't know, or refuse to know the value of aviation as well. Their ignorance.

The only times that I have been on the other side of the airport fence there is through flying (as was done recently), and through receiving invitations from Airport Journal magazine for Jet Preview events. Do they want to criminalize that? Is loving aviation a crime now?

Criminalizing the love of aviation is becoming more and more commonplace. And it's a trend that needs to stop.

I read a story once in a flight simulation forum from England, that one person, who bought Flight Simulator, was questioned by police as to why he bought the software. Which is ludicrous.

And do I need to get into the Meigs travesty? How Mayor Richard "Minnow-Fish" Daley closed, no, DESTROYED Meigs Field, just because?

I am all for airport security. But airport authorities, particularly those controlling general aviation airports need to recognize that it is at those airports where the real revolutionaries in aviation are. The movers and shakers of aviation are on general aviation airports! Could SpaceShipOne's historic flight in October of 2004 taken place at Los Angeles International Airport? There is no way. Airport authorities and airport neighbors need to recognize that aviation's roots are at the GA airport, and should find ways to open their doors to allowing growth to occur, not limit what one can even do at the airport.

Marksman Security, the private security company that is deployed at Boca Raton Airport, says on their website that their services cover protecting "private airports", among other places. Someone should mention to them that Boca Raton Airport is a public use airport. It is a General Aviation Airport, one in which any citizen has the right to use. Even if it is a mere aviation enthusiast, visiting the airport, getting his "airplane fix".

What will Marksman do next? Take down Boca Raton Airport's live ATC Internet feed? No! In fact, HERE is the link to it! See if you'll have a private security car pull up to your house with a "Dudley Do-Right" asking you why you're listening to a tower frequency!

Again, I'm all for aviation security and safety. But we must also be reasonable, and make provision to all who share an interest to aviation. As aviators (pilots or not), it is our obligation to share our love of flight to all who have an interest in aviation. We must raise our collective voice, and say that enough is enough. Limiting GA activity is not the answer. It is criminal to stop aviation's progress. That's where you get called "Richard Daley", or "Maine Tax Collector" and other such people. Aviation is something special that we cherish. And we must fight to keep it alive and well. And know this. I am a valiant defender of general aviation. I became a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as a result of the user-fee threat. And I have maintained my membership through the fight, and victory over user-fees. I am a valiant defender of general aviation, and I will fight for her cause! Know this: all who plan to fight aviation will be fighting me, along with the hundreds of thousands of AOPA and EAA members, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts of the world. We are not a force to be reckoned with. We stand together, united for the Cause of Aviation!

The Pilots of Cactus 1549...

Captain Chesley Sullenberger III

A decorated captain with US Airways, and fellow Californian, went on board with Pacific Southwest Airlines, which was later bought by USAir in the 1980s. He has worked for US Airways since 1980.

First Officer Jeffrey Skiles

A Wisconsin pilot, Charlotte-based, who was also an active force in saving Cactus 1549. He got on board with USAir in 1986.

Through crew resource management, and excellent training, both valiantly saved the lives of the passengers on board, as well as the potential loss of life and property on the ground by opting for a water landing. These two gentlemen, who through circumstance and coincidence, have been recognized worldwide by the general public, and by Aviation, as two pilots acting as one crew with one mission: to safely preserve the lives of the passengers, and to safely land the aircraft for their safe evacuation.

The flight attendants of the flight also deserve recognition.

Flight Attendant Sheila Dail

A flight attendant who got on board with Piedmont Airlines in 1980, has continued to fly for US Airways.

Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh

A flight attendant who got on board with Allegheny Airlines (the original predecessor to USAir) in 1970, and the most senior member of this flight crew.

Flight Attendant Donna Dent

A flight attendant who got on board with Piedmont Airlines in 1982, and has more than 26 years of experience and service for the airline.

All five members of this crew valiantly served and worked in the face of adversity. And all five deserve recognition for their actions.

Blue Skies

To The Pilots of US Airways...

Some of US Airways' pilots already know me. They know of my goal to fly for US Airways as a pilot. What both pilots did yesterday was thanks to the training instilled in them throughout their flight training and line flying on the job. And their actions were nothing short of heroic.

An accident inspired me to be the best pilot I could possibly be.

To all who fly for US Airways, know that I plan to fly with you. I know, some of you will try to sway me away (some have tried), but my love for flying is unwavering. And US Airways was the only airline to give me a chance to get into aviation. I know that airline/labor relations are trying on your morale, but to fly everyday, and get paid for it, sure beats working for a living, and you know that well.

Know that as soon as I get my ratings, and when US Airways is hiring pilots again, I will apply. I will do what I can to fly with you.

Blue Skies and Tailwinds to you.

And save some room for me in the right seat one of these days!

Hmmm, add "novelist" to my repertoire?

I had this strange idea a few years ago of becoming a writer. My angst was building, it was just after I moved to Florida, and I had to let it out somewhere. So, I wrote a book, which is still in my hard drive, tentatively titled "Fly, Young Pilot, Live". I was in the middle of opening doors to aviation. I was in a flight training slump, looking for work, and going to school. And I wrote the main character, whom I named "John Allendale", to be modeled after myself; US-born of hispanic heritage with an Anglo-Saxon name, obsessed over flight, immersed in reggae music, stuck without a girlfriend when the desire to be loved blossomed into a furious love for someone, crossroads in life, longing to return to California (his home state), and making it big in aviation. I'm not sure if it will be a hit, but either way, it's worth a stab.

But, none of you ever heard of the book, as it is still in my hard drive. And in a computer that does not work anymore. Genius me, I never saved it on a disk. But I still have the hard drive, and it's still in working order, so it's just a matter of extracting the file (among others). Will I call a publisher to get the book out? I'm not sure. I'm not even familiar in the process. But it's a matter of tracking down a social studies teacher I had in high school, whom I just found out had retired recently. His name is Pete Justus, and his book is a compilation of poems, titled "Truths Taps and Time". I had the privilege of having him for history in my 10th and 11th grades at Westchester High School (Go Comets!). I'm aware that he does poetry readings at a place in Santa Monica called "The Rapp Saloon". It's a place I intend visiting this June, when I go on vacation back to the place I belong (all the while, looking for an opportunity to live there once again). And although we had our disagreements when November rolled around (he graduated from UCLA, and my intent at the time was to attend USC), all that was put aside when we started talking about one common passion: Corvettes. I wish to own one someday, even if it's one from the 1980s. They're all workable. It's just a matter of modding the car until it's your own. He owns a dark blue C-5 Vette, with UCLA plates gracing the front and back. But it's a stickshift, as all Corvettes should be.

Look up my friend's book, "Truth Taps and Time" at your local bookstore, or at any large online book retailer. And look for Mr. Pete Justus at the Rapp Saloon at 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica, California. He's a great guy, and if you get him started on Corvette heritage, you'll be there for hours, as I have not too long ago.

Blue Skies.


Last Minute Addition: Be sure to check out his poem "My Hometown". It's a very nice poem, even if it is from one of the "Boys from Westwood".

A Big "FIGHT ON!" Shoutout, and preparing for the instrument test...

Well, this year's Rose Bowl was pretty much a non-event. And with a score like 38-24 over Penn State, it makes me question the entire BCS system again. A conventional playoff system should be instituted. That is the only way you can put two formidable teams, based solely on performance, rather than what a group of coaches and journalists believe, along with numbers entered in six independent computers could EVER produce! This will unfairly skew the chances for a fresh athletic department that nobody has heard before that is nailing win after win getting to a bowl game. If it's not a school like USC or Notre Dame, give me one good reason why a different school can't be at a bowl game! GET RID OF THE BCS!!! End the 'Bravo-Sierra' NOW!!!



On to flying, as I posted earlier, I passed my Private Pilot Written. I'm getting ready for the instrument class. And I'll also concentrate in getting more flight time and get at least one checkride done. As far as college goes, I'll be completing that soon. I just need time and money. And ground school right now is cheaper. But I'll be getting back to ERAU soon. I should be back by March with college. And hopefully, by summer, I'll have my private pilot ticket in my hand.

I've been getting a lot of support from our pilots at my airline. They ask how I'm doing with school, and I tell them about my test, and they tell me to keep plugging away. And I'll be doing just that. Finish everything I need, and simply build flight time whenever I can. I can't afford going to a large flying academy, like Delta Connection Academy (which I had considered going to), but flight time is flight time no matter where you get it.

To the great Sky above, and to Aviation who has shown her love to me, I'll return soon. You can mark my words! I'll return soon.