Cross Winds and Cross Words

Cross Winds

Another beautiful day with fresh ninety degree crosswinds and a bare/dry runway. A good day to brush up my crosswind technique.

Cross Words

My link to the COPA entry on the Belnan airport fracas attracted a number of visitors. I don't know what motives drove these visitors but from the key words used it seems some were against the airport development. I did some searching and was able to find an articles in the Chronicle Herald, this one and this one from the CBC about it. There are some interesting quotes in the Chronicle Herald from the antagonists. Mr. Johnson, the airport developer, is quoted as saying:

I’m not going to tell everyone my game plan. You don’t ask businesses to give away their business plans. But I can assure you, it’s nothing for the citizens to get concerned about.

Which is an understandable position, but not one that will instill a lot of confidence in the non-flying public. Mr. Ripley, a member of a citizens' group opposing the airport, said:

We have no issues with his operation or how he flies. We’re not even against aerodromes, just where this one is proposed.

Also according to the Chronicle Herald:

Nova Scotia Transportation Minister Angus MacIsaac asked Mr. Cannon in a recent letter to amend regulations so all new aerodromes require Transport Canada approval, regardless of location, size, type or proximity to population.

This is just plain scary. On the other hand maybe I can get some Federal minister to enact regulations to stop my neighbor from running his noisy, polluting and dangerous snowmobiles and ATVs, or hunting deer on his property.

Perhaps if these community groups and Mr. MacIsaac used their influence with Mr. Cannon to put in place assurances that General Aviation could get economical access to Halifax International airport there would be no fiscal basis, or need for Mr. Johnson's airpark. Just a thought.