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 IAnd 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 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!
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