The FAA asked me where my counties of preference are.
Palm Beach County, Florida
Why Palm Beach? I'm already here. No need to make a hard move. The towered airport under FAA control (i.e. not outsourced, like Boca Raton Airport) is Palm Beach International.
Martin County, Florida
I'm just south of there...the only towered facility there that is under FAA control is Stuart Airport/Witham Field.
Ventura County, California
Back in my home state, but away from LAX's Class B Airspace. The likely picks are Camarillo and Santa Barbara.
Los Angeles County, California
Some of the busiest airspace in the world, between LAX and Van Nuys Airport. Other airports that may become my second home are Santa Monica (where I started my flying), Torrance (where I was introduced to General Aviation), Hawthorne, and Long Beach.
I never thought I would be considered, as I still don't fit all the minimum requirements (a college degree in any field and a full-time job that I have held for at least two years).
I got furloughed from US Airways last year. Nearing a year away from the airlines. I worked part-time there. I slipped out of Embry-Riddle as I didn't take a class in two years (part-time with student loans from my previous school, Everglades University, held me back, and still are somewhat). I started working for a printing company/retailer about 45 days after getting the boot from the airline. I started full-time. However, I still haven't returned to school.
If I do get the job, however, I hope I can get third shift. Although it's the hardest shift, it will allow me to fulfill my responsibilities during the day without affecting my schedule. But, we have yet to see.
Regardless of the outcome with becoming an air traffic controller, I have formally dismissed the goal of becoming an airline pilot. I have become too old to compete (I know guys younger than me...albeit richer than I am...who are already flying jets, if they survived not getting furloughed).
I will keep you posted on the outcome.
Alejandro Maclean passed away this past Tuesday. He died in an accident while practicing aerobatics. His support and contagious love for flying will truly be missed. I wrote a posthumous poem to Alejandro and posted it on my poetry blog, as well as linked it to Alejandro's Facebook profile and fan page. You can read it here at GolfNovemberPoetry ("Para Don Alejandro", written in Spanish, his native language).
Te veo pronto, Don Alejandro.
Showing posts with label Palm Beach International Airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Palm Beach International Airport. Show all posts
02 December 2008
NIMBYs at it again...
Today, the Palm Beach Post (in my personal opinion, an excuse of a newspaper, but to each his own) put out an editorial against proposed and studied airport "expansion" at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI/KPBI). Now, my readers know my stance. People who move somewhere and ask (okay, maybe not ask, more like DEMAND) that an airport either edit its reason to exist, if not make it cease to exist, for their own personal benefit. I don't need to go over it again.
An airport that has been bullish in its growth should not stop. Airports should reach their full potential. Nobody has any reason to live close to an airport if they're just going to complain about it all day. Take the good with the bad, like everything else in life (good for me, I like airplane noise...it's comforting to me, and ask any pilot and they will agree).
So when people are trying to subversively fight against an airport, and try to designate certain neighborhoods near airports (that came into existence and grew into existence AFTER the airport was there), like the Vedado neighborhood trying to have the county designate it as a historic area (thus preventing the airport, or any other government entity for that matter "interfere" with the area), you know that they're up to something.
This "newspaper" also alleges that the airport reached its peak traffic level in 1990, but never went further than that. So, has it gone up or down? How much so? Enplanements, incoming and outgoing traffic, where are the numbers? Why won't you say what the FAA says? Because it's against your agenda! That's why!
Some will blindly say, they're trying to save their homes. But against what? Something that was already there from before they were born? Something that was there from before their houses were built? Something that already has eminent domain over them? It's like building a house near a mountain that is prone to avalanches and mudslides. Are you going to call the county and tell them they need to fix the mountain? Of course not! You probably would reconsider the build site, if even build AT ALL! That's the smart way to do things! But no, people like to bury their heads in the sand when they see that an airport desperately needing improvement is asking a helping hand.
Even Donald Trump, owner of the Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach (about a mile from the departure end of PBI's Runway 9R), is making raucous about the noise. And he himself is a "contributor" to the noise! He flies his 727 into PBI all the time (and speak of the devil, when I drove to work today, I saw his 727 sitting at Jet Aviation in PBI. His jet isn't even registered in the United States. And his jet is an older one, with noisier engines that people especially complain about. He, of all people, should be the LAST to complain about it, because he has one of the largest private planes that fly into PBI, and one of the noisiest of all aircraft that fly there.
Remember. Ask not what aviation can do for you. Ask what you can do for aviation!
You can view the proposal from the FAA here.
An airport that has been bullish in its growth should not stop. Airports should reach their full potential. Nobody has any reason to live close to an airport if they're just going to complain about it all day. Take the good with the bad, like everything else in life (good for me, I like airplane noise...it's comforting to me, and ask any pilot and they will agree).
So when people are trying to subversively fight against an airport, and try to designate certain neighborhoods near airports (that came into existence and grew into existence AFTER the airport was there), like the Vedado neighborhood trying to have the county designate it as a historic area (thus preventing the airport, or any other government entity for that matter "interfere" with the area), you know that they're up to something.
This "newspaper" also alleges that the airport reached its peak traffic level in 1990, but never went further than that. So, has it gone up or down? How much so? Enplanements, incoming and outgoing traffic, where are the numbers? Why won't you say what the FAA says? Because it's against your agenda! That's why!
Some will blindly say, they're trying to save their homes. But against what? Something that was already there from before they were born? Something that was there from before their houses were built? Something that already has eminent domain over them? It's like building a house near a mountain that is prone to avalanches and mudslides. Are you going to call the county and tell them they need to fix the mountain? Of course not! You probably would reconsider the build site, if even build AT ALL! That's the smart way to do things! But no, people like to bury their heads in the sand when they see that an airport desperately needing improvement is asking a helping hand.
Even Donald Trump, owner of the Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach (about a mile from the departure end of PBI's Runway 9R), is making raucous about the noise. And he himself is a "contributor" to the noise! He flies his 727 into PBI all the time (and speak of the devil, when I drove to work today, I saw his 727 sitting at Jet Aviation in PBI. His jet isn't even registered in the United States. And his jet is an older one, with noisier engines that people especially complain about. He, of all people, should be the LAST to complain about it, because he has one of the largest private planes that fly into PBI, and one of the noisiest of all aircraft that fly there.
Remember. Ask not what aviation can do for you. Ask what you can do for aviation!
You can view the proposal from the FAA here.
12 November 2008
Airport improvement. Evil, or is there actually a reason behind it?
"Not In My Backyard!" is the mantra of people who refuse to have something bigger than them displace them or affect them in any matter (even in a positive way, which they tend to blind themselves from). In some circumstances, I wholeheartedly agree with their stance. I wouldn't want sexual predators living near me or my neighbors. Nor would I want railroad tracks be set near my house (if my house was there before, then they can find somewhere else to lay tracks).
But there are some things that people tend to rally against. One such thing is the local airport.
I have seen people start rallies to close the local airport down (if you're in Chicago, don't worry. Mayor Richard Daley is WAY ahead of you in that department! I think you should worry about STOPPING him). People say that airports bring a lot of noise, and a lot of pollution. People say that houses near airports lose value because of the noise, and that it shouldn't be that way.
But lets go back to the beginning of the problem. Why live near an airport?
In spite of my disdain for the region I live in, I am happy that I live close to an airport. For me, it's comforting to hear a whirling propeller overhead. In fact, if I hear a propeller that sounds different (say, a different engine tone, or a different prop RPM), I'll run to the window, waiting to see if it's something special, like some sort of aerobatic or experimental airplane, or a classic Stearman biplane, or an older model twin.
But I digress.
Here's the issue. People nowadays tend to be myopic. They see what is only in front of them, and whatever comes into view unexpectedly will startle them and anger them, like a little dog seeing a bird fly from the bush he's sniffing. "Out of my tree!" he barks, then goes back to sniffing. "Not in my backyard" the neighbor cries, and then goes back to his business.
Those people are like those working to shut down Santa Monica Airport. A group of myopic individuals who seek only their personal gain, rather than the gain of the community. The airport neighbors that are noisier than the aircraft causing all the "noise".
People tend to forget all the gains that are made in aviation each day. Technology is getting better in aircraft and engine design to reduce pollution (noise and carbon) and more importantly, increase safety. Pilot training is at its best, and continues to improve. And the ancillary costs to run an aviation operation, such as a flight school, or a fixed-base operator, or an airline serving the community, and all the infrastructure that must be built and maintained brings jobs to the community. People should be thankful that they have an airport near them.
These people forget that airports bring important jobs, especially nowadays in this economy. Airports bring money, BIG money into the community! They're not there to cause a big raucous above your house. They're here for a reason, be it to train, or to work, or to sign a deal with a local business. Airports really ARE your friends.
Of course, why did you move under the approach path of a runway? You didn't see those planes flying over you?
Reminds me about work one day. One customer at the baggage office went to complain that his wine bottles in a poorly packed bag broke, and wanted the airline to pay for it. After being asked why he packed the bottles in that manner, he said "so if they break, the airline could pay for it". Like him, complainers of airport proximity, and the non-aviation-savvy general public as a whole, share the same logic. "I'm going to buy this house. And I'll get that airport to go away after I move in. That'll increase the value of my house!" Sorry, the airport was there before you were. The airport has the right to stay and if necessary, expand if the need arises.
Today, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the county held a "public workshop" regarding the FAA's findings on extending or moving a runway at Palm Beach International. More of which can be read here (please advise via email if the link is dead).
West Palm Beach mayor Lois Frankel believes that traffic is decreasing at Palm Beach International. She believes there is no purpose in extending the runway. She feels that because of the rising cost of fuel and air travel, as well as the current economic state has decreased traffic, apparently so much so that it will effectively kill any justification for extending a runway (I'm guessing she doesn't want the hassle of complainers of airport proximity calling her office since her hands would be effectively be tied regarding the situation).
The FAA believes, however, that an alternative would be to build a new airport, a "green airport" (an airport build out of green space, like a large empty field, like Denver International Airport, though nowadays, "green" will also refer to reducing carbon footprints, and conserving energy, and all that jazz). I'm for that as well. However, people need to realize that there is a huge need for airports in a National Airspace System that is becoming saturated.
The solution is to build more runways. Not user-fees, not auctioning landing and departure slots to the highest bidder, but adding runways to add the capacity for more traffic.
There are many other solutions, but limiting airports to a level that is not near their greatest potential, or closing airports for the gain of only a small group of people. For the convenience and "peace" of a few hundred people at the departure and arrival ends of an airport that has closed, would it really be worth losing literally thousands of jobs from outlying communities? Or what about losing all of that influx of money from those noisy "big wigs" in their corporate jets going to YOUR area to make big business deals that would benefit your community? Think about why they are in your community. It's your airport!
That's why I urge my readers to visit http://www.aopa.org/asn/ to see AOPA's efforts in supporting your local airports. Airports of all sizes need protection. Though some airports are thriving with the support of their communities, there are others that are not as fortunate. Airports like Santa Monica Airport, are in danger of having their operations severely limited, if not closed altogether.
Just as how it's my airport, it's there for YOUR use as well. Just as how it's my airport, it's also your interest to be protected!
Some airport authorities are providing free soundproofing to homes that are affected by airport noise. If you are that irritated by airport noise (or porbably more accurately, that stubborn to move), give your local airport authority a call. For example, as a good gesture, Los Angeles World Airports is offering free home soundproofing to airport neighbors of LA International, LA/Van Nuys, LA/Palmdale, and LA/Ontario airports. The City of Los Angeles is offering this service to its citizens (I keep stressing this, because airport neighbor/NIMBYs have lashed out at this gesture of good will towards them). Rather than fight the airport, you should help your airport improve. Be a good citizen and work hand in hand with your local airport authority.
I am willing to do whatever aviation asks of me (my personal mantra, similar to John F. Kennedy's quote, is "Ask not what aviation can do for you, but what you can do for aviation!"). People, we have taken so much for granted in aviation. And we have even dared to impose our wants on aviation. It's high time we return the gracious favor that aviation has given us. Work with local pilots at airport open houses. Work in conjunction, rather than fight against, your local airport authority. A symbiotic relationship between the airport and its neighbors is not only possible, but is happening now!
Airports like Palm Beach County Park Airport (Gassaway Field, previously known as Lantana), have such a relationship. It's not perfect, but both the airport neighbors (of which I am one) and the airport live peacefully in coexistence. The airport neighbors do not list the airport as one of the worries of the neighborhood. And, people, that's what it's all about! Though it isn't ideal (the airport has not held any type of large-scale open-house event, no less an airshow, where a large volume of volunteer work exists), it's getting there. There should be more public awareness of aviation. Just like our roads, airports are there to serve ALL of us. Airports are probably the most important neighbor we will have.
But there are some things that people tend to rally against. One such thing is the local airport.
I have seen people start rallies to close the local airport down (if you're in Chicago, don't worry. Mayor Richard Daley is WAY ahead of you in that department! I think you should worry about STOPPING him). People say that airports bring a lot of noise, and a lot of pollution. People say that houses near airports lose value because of the noise, and that it shouldn't be that way.
But lets go back to the beginning of the problem. Why live near an airport?
In spite of my disdain for the region I live in, I am happy that I live close to an airport. For me, it's comforting to hear a whirling propeller overhead. In fact, if I hear a propeller that sounds different (say, a different engine tone, or a different prop RPM), I'll run to the window, waiting to see if it's something special, like some sort of aerobatic or experimental airplane, or a classic Stearman biplane, or an older model twin.
But I digress.
Here's the issue. People nowadays tend to be myopic. They see what is only in front of them, and whatever comes into view unexpectedly will startle them and anger them, like a little dog seeing a bird fly from the bush he's sniffing. "Out of my tree!" he barks, then goes back to sniffing. "Not in my backyard" the neighbor cries, and then goes back to his business.
Those people are like those working to shut down Santa Monica Airport. A group of myopic individuals who seek only their personal gain, rather than the gain of the community. The airport neighbors that are noisier than the aircraft causing all the "noise".
People tend to forget all the gains that are made in aviation each day. Technology is getting better in aircraft and engine design to reduce pollution (noise and carbon) and more importantly, increase safety. Pilot training is at its best, and continues to improve. And the ancillary costs to run an aviation operation, such as a flight school, or a fixed-base operator, or an airline serving the community, and all the infrastructure that must be built and maintained brings jobs to the community. People should be thankful that they have an airport near them.
These people forget that airports bring important jobs, especially nowadays in this economy. Airports bring money, BIG money into the community! They're not there to cause a big raucous above your house. They're here for a reason, be it to train, or to work, or to sign a deal with a local business. Airports really ARE your friends.
Of course, why did you move under the approach path of a runway? You didn't see those planes flying over you?
Reminds me about work one day. One customer at the baggage office went to complain that his wine bottles in a poorly packed bag broke, and wanted the airline to pay for it. After being asked why he packed the bottles in that manner, he said "so if they break, the airline could pay for it". Like him, complainers of airport proximity, and the non-aviation-savvy general public as a whole, share the same logic. "I'm going to buy this house. And I'll get that airport to go away after I move in. That'll increase the value of my house!" Sorry, the airport was there before you were. The airport has the right to stay and if necessary, expand if the need arises.
Today, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the county held a "public workshop" regarding the FAA's findings on extending or moving a runway at Palm Beach International. More of which can be read here (please advise via email if the link is dead).
West Palm Beach mayor Lois Frankel believes that traffic is decreasing at Palm Beach International. She believes there is no purpose in extending the runway. She feels that because of the rising cost of fuel and air travel, as well as the current economic state has decreased traffic, apparently so much so that it will effectively kill any justification for extending a runway (I'm guessing she doesn't want the hassle of complainers of airport proximity calling her office since her hands would be effectively be tied regarding the situation).
The FAA believes, however, that an alternative would be to build a new airport, a "green airport" (an airport build out of green space, like a large empty field, like Denver International Airport, though nowadays, "green" will also refer to reducing carbon footprints, and conserving energy, and all that jazz). I'm for that as well. However, people need to realize that there is a huge need for airports in a National Airspace System that is becoming saturated.
The solution is to build more runways. Not user-fees, not auctioning landing and departure slots to the highest bidder, but adding runways to add the capacity for more traffic.
There are many other solutions, but limiting airports to a level that is not near their greatest potential, or closing airports for the gain of only a small group of people. For the convenience and "peace" of a few hundred people at the departure and arrival ends of an airport that has closed, would it really be worth losing literally thousands of jobs from outlying communities? Or what about losing all of that influx of money from those noisy "big wigs" in their corporate jets going to YOUR area to make big business deals that would benefit your community? Think about why they are in your community. It's your airport!
That's why I urge my readers to visit http://www.aopa.org/asn/ to see AOPA's efforts in supporting your local airports. Airports of all sizes need protection. Though some airports are thriving with the support of their communities, there are others that are not as fortunate. Airports like Santa Monica Airport, are in danger of having their operations severely limited, if not closed altogether.
Just as how it's my airport, it's there for YOUR use as well. Just as how it's my airport, it's also your interest to be protected!
Some airport authorities are providing free soundproofing to homes that are affected by airport noise. If you are that irritated by airport noise (or porbably more accurately, that stubborn to move), give your local airport authority a call. For example, as a good gesture, Los Angeles World Airports is offering free home soundproofing to airport neighbors of LA International, LA/Van Nuys, LA/Palmdale, and LA/Ontario airports. The City of Los Angeles is offering this service to its citizens (I keep stressing this, because airport neighbor/NIMBYs have lashed out at this gesture of good will towards them). Rather than fight the airport, you should help your airport improve. Be a good citizen and work hand in hand with your local airport authority.
I am willing to do whatever aviation asks of me (my personal mantra, similar to John F. Kennedy's quote, is "Ask not what aviation can do for you, but what you can do for aviation!"). People, we have taken so much for granted in aviation. And we have even dared to impose our wants on aviation. It's high time we return the gracious favor that aviation has given us. Work with local pilots at airport open houses. Work in conjunction, rather than fight against, your local airport authority. A symbiotic relationship between the airport and its neighbors is not only possible, but is happening now!
Airports like Palm Beach County Park Airport (Gassaway Field, previously known as Lantana), have such a relationship. It's not perfect, but both the airport neighbors (of which I am one) and the airport live peacefully in coexistence. The airport neighbors do not list the airport as one of the worries of the neighborhood. And, people, that's what it's all about! Though it isn't ideal (the airport has not held any type of large-scale open-house event, no less an airshow, where a large volume of volunteer work exists), it's getting there. There should be more public awareness of aviation. Just like our roads, airports are there to serve ALL of us. Airports are probably the most important neighbor we will have.
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