County Closes Hemet-Ryan Gliderport - WE NEED YOUR HELP!

[HoUdino]

I am sad to report the County of Riverside California has ordered
the closure of HMT Gliderport as of Sept 31st. We got this word, out
of the blue, a few weeks ago. We were stunned as we had no warning.

We need an immediate letter campaign to the County of Riverside to
persude them to NOT close the gliderport at Hemet-Ryan, So
California. Soaring has a history of more than 50 years in the Hemet
Valley and the move to close was done behind our backs, not supported
by the masterplan, etc etc etc. We have contacted AOPA, CalPilots and
the SSA. We have openned a new Google Group to help organize our
response.

We need you to write a letter or an email to the County
Supervisor....

Further details will be posted on the new Google SHHT GRoup. More
is planned, but at this moment, here is what YOU can do to help:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stop The Closure of Hemet Ryan Gliderport

Join the SSHT Group –and- Write the Supervisor in Charge!


The first step is to organize ourselves and communicate to the
politicians our displeasure with the closing of Hemet Ryan to
gliders. With Oct 1st coming soon this need is immediate, so please
do two things TODAY.

 Write and encourage everyone possible to write to Supervisor Stone
expressing their displeasure with the loss of soaring at Hemet Ryan to
the aviation community.
 For further updates, join the Save Soaring at Hemet Today (SSHT)
Google News Group.

#1 - The key county politician guiding Hemet Ryan is Jeff Stone,
Riverside County Supervisor, Third District. His mailing address is:

Supervisor Jeff Stone
43950 E. Acacia, Suite A
Hemet, CA 92543

Perhaps easier, Supervisor Stone has a website with a “Constituent
Assistance Request Form� at http://district3.co.riverside.ca.us/. In
a respectful tone:

• In the first sentence, state clearly that you are against the
closing of Hemet Ryan to glider operations.
• Ask for Supervisor Jeff Stone’s “help� in preventing the closure.
• State in your “pilot’s opinion� that the operation of Runway 22 is
safe and future safety improvements are easily attainable.
• State there is no acceptable local alternative airport for soaring
at Hemet
• If you live in Riverside or San Diego County, state that you do.
• If you have an aviation career which soaring helped, explain (ie, I
fly commercial jets but learned on gliders when I was 14 years old…)
or that you spend money in Hemet because of the gliderport.

Who should write? Everyone (not just pilots) who wants to see
soaring continue at Hemet Ryan. To build our “support file�, copy
your email to SSHT at:

#2 – The SSHT Google NewsGroup is at: http://groups.google.com/group/save-soaring-at-hemet-today
We will post updates there.

Please help, with the cost of land in CA, this loss will be impossible
to replace.

Larry Tuohino
OCSA President
SSA R12 Governor

[Westbender]

On Aug 3, 12:59Â*pm, HoUdino > wrote:
> Â* I am sad to report the County of Riverside California has ordered
> the closure of HMT Gliderport as of Sept 31st. Â*We got this word, out
> of the blue, a few weeks ago. Â*We were stunned as we had no warning.
>
> Â* We need an immediate letter campaign to the County of Riverside to
> persude them to NOT close the gliderport at Hemet-Ryan, So
> California. Â*Soaring has a history of more than 50 years in the Hemet
> Valley and the move to close was done behind our backs, not supported
> by the masterplan, etc etc etc. Â*We have contacted AOPA, CalPilots and
> the SSA. Â*We have openned a new Google Group to help organize our
> response.
>
> Â* We need you to write a letter or an email to the County
> Supervisor....
>
> Â* Â*Further details will be posted on the new Google SHHT GRoup. More
> is planned, but at this moment, here is what YOU can do to help:
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Â*---------------------------------------------------------------------------Â*--
>
> Stop The Closure of Hemet Ryan Gliderport
>
> Join the SSHT Group –and- Write the Supervisor in Charge!
>
> Â* Â*The first step is to organize ourselves and communicate to the
> politicians our displeasure with the closing of Hemet Ryan to
> gliders. Â*With Oct 1st coming soon this need is immediate, so please
> do two things TODAY.
>
>  Â* Â* Write and encourage everyone possible to write to Supervisor Stone
> expressing their displeasure with the loss of soaring at Hemet Ryan to
> the aviation community.
>  Â* Â* For further updates, join the Save Soaring at Hemet Today (SSHT)
> Google News Group.
>
> Â*#1 - The key county politician guiding Hemet Ryan is Jeff Stone,
> Riverside County Supervisor, Third District. His mailing address is:
>
> Supervisor Jeff Stone
> 43950 E. Acacia, Suite A
> Hemet, CA 92543
>
> Â* Â*Perhaps easier, Supervisor Stone has a website with a “Constituent
> Assistance Request Formâ€� athttp://district3.co.riverside.ca.us/. Â*In
> a respectful tone:
>
> • Â* Â* In the first sentence, state clearly that you are against the
> closing of Hemet Ryan to glider operations.
> • Â* Â* Ask for Supervisor Jeff Stone’s “helpâ€� in preventing the closure.
> • Â* Â* State in your “pilot’s opinionâ€� that the operation of Runway 22 is
> safe and future safety improvements are easily attainable.
> • Â* Â* State there is no acceptable local alternative airport for soaring
> at Hemet
> • Â* Â* If you live in Riverside or San Diego County, state that you do.
> • Â* Â* If you have an aviation career which soaring helped, explain (ie, I
> fly commercial jets but learned on gliders when I was 14 years old…)
> or that you spend money in Hemet because of the gliderport.
>
> Â* Â*Who should write? Everyone (not just pilots) who wants to see
> soaring continue at Hemet Ryan. Â*To build our “support fileâ€�, copy
> your email to SSHT at:
>
> #2 – The SSHT Google NewsGroup is at:http://groups.google.com/group/save-soaring-at-hemet-today
> We will post updates there.
>
> Please help, with the cost of land in CA, this loss will be impossible
> to replace.
>
> Larry Tuohino
> OCSA President
> SSA R12 Governor

I'm curious. What is the reason for the closure?

[John Smith]

Westbender wrote:

[huge citation deleted]

> I'm curious. What is the reason for the closure?

Please. Can't you invest just two seconds and trim the quotation before
you answer?

[HoUdino]

The officially given reason is "safety"...though there have been no
accidents/incidents, our runway has been deemed to be too close to the
power runway that is to be extended in a few years. No ruling from
the FAA/CalTrans ordering a shutdown. The County jumped on the
retirement of the FBO to try an evict us early for eventual hopeful
development.

OK to be curious, better to help out.

LT

[Tim Taylor]

On Aug 3, 2:42*pm, HoUdino > wrote:
> The officially given reason is "safety"...though there have been no
> accidents/incidents, our runway has been deemed to be too close to the
> power runway that is to be extended in a few years. *No ruling from
> the FAA/CalTrans ordering a shutdown. The County jumped on the
> retirement of the FBO to try an evict us early for eventual hopeful
> development.
>
> OK to be curious, better to help out.
>
> LT

The easy solution is to tell them you are moving all operations to the
main runway on October 1st. I would guess they have taken federal
funds for that runway. They cannot prevent you from using that runway
and now will have to share. If they don't like that idea they can let
you keep your runway. Glider operations on all runways take time to
move and stage aircraft, this is a normal part of operations and can
not be excluded from any federally funded runway except by a ruling
from the FAA.

Also, has the current runway been updated with federal dollars? Then
the county can't do anything without federal permission.

[Renny]

On Aug 3, 4:06*pm, Tim Taylor > wrote:
> On Aug 3, 2:42*pm, HoUdino > wrote:
>
> > The officially given reason is "safety"...though there have been no
> > accidents/incidents, our runway has been deemed to be too close to the
> > power runway that is to be extended in a few years. *No ruling from
> > the FAA/CalTrans ordering a shutdown. The County jumped on the
> > retirement of the FBO to try an evict us early for eventual hopeful
> > development.
>
> > OK to be curious, better to help out.
>
> > LT
>
> The easy solution is to tell them you are moving all operations to the
> main runway on October 1st. *I would guess they have taken federal
> funds for that runway. *They cannot prevent you from using that runway
> and now will have to share. *If they don't like that idea they can let
> you keep your runway. *Glider operations on all runways take time to
> move and stage aircraft, this is a normal part of operations and can
> not be excluded from any federally funded runway except by a ruling
> from the FAA.
>
> Also, has the current runway been updated with federal dollars? *Then
> the county can't do anything without federal permission.

These are all excellent suggestions. In addition, I would recommend
you contact the folks at MASA (Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association) who
had very similar problems at the Frederick, MD airport. As I
understand it, they now operate off one of the paved runways.
Thx - Renny

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

At 22:06 03 August 2009, Tim Taylor wrote:

<Then the county can't do anything without federal permission.>

All may be true in court, Tim. But we all know that the government,
particularly the California Government, is "above the law". Just ask
them. They will show you. They do what they want, and make you try and
stop them. Just like they have just done.

Please help them out if you can. I will be doing that after I get bills
put together to help keep my club going.

Steve Leonard

[HoUdino]

We have tried all that and much more...due to the political nature of
their development cause they have not backed down. We have taken
advice from many who have battled similar situations to arrive at THIS
MOMENTS COURSE OF ACTION. Yes an expensive lawsuit could be next...so
if this MOMENT does not work we may next be begging for lawyer money .

So rather than type the obvious suggestions onto this news group and
into the vapor of the "blogosphere", PLEASE take your time in real
time to write Supervisor Stone with all your thoughts.

Sorry if I may sound a bit harsh towards everyone's suggestions, but
your actions speak louder than rec.soaring posts.

Don't hesitate...the moment is now and its EZ...before the lawyers are
engaged, the FAA Complaint is filed and the Meig's Field tractor shows
up in the middle of the night.

LT

[fcnorton]

I suggest that you leave an email AND send a letter.

Unfortunately, Supervisor Stone's "Constituent Assistance Request
Form" limits you to 500 characters. I must be long winded because
that wasn't NEARLY enough for me to adequately express my opinions and
the reasoning behind them.

Good luck and let us know what else we can do.

FC Norton
N304BL

[HoUdino]

On Aug 4, 2:34*pm, fcnorton > wrote:
> I suggest that you leave an email AND send a letter.
>
> Unfortunately, Supervisor Stone's "Constituent Assistance Request
> Form" limits you to 500 characters. *I must be long winded because
> that wasn't NEARLY enough for me to adequately express my opinions and
> the reasoning behind them.
>
> Good luck and let us know what else we can do.
>
> FC Norton
> N304BL

Thanks Fred! Yes, snail mail is actually a better format for
political action as it is less easy to "delete" and the staffer tends
to open a physical file that occaisionally get shown to the
politician. Send me a copy and I'll put it in our file to show when
the need comes.

Thanks again,

LT

[Dean[_2_]]

Larry,
Just sent my comments to supervisor Stone. I got my glider rating
at Hemet and currently have my glider at Warner Springs. The loss of
the Hemet glider runway would be a detriment to safety. Good luck and
lets see what happens here.

Dean Chantiles "GO"
Warner Springs, CA.

[HoUdino]

On Aug 6, 11:43*am, Dean > wrote:
> Larry,
> * *Just sent my comments to supervisor Stone. I got my glider rating
> at Hemet and currently have my glider at Warner Springs. The loss of
> the Hemet glider runway would be a detriment to safety. Good luck and
> lets see what happens here.
>
> * * * * * Dean Chantiles "GO"
> * * * * * Warner Springs, CA.

Dean-
Sincerely thank you very much. And, thank you to all that have
directly emailed me their letters...my support file is getting thick.

NOTE: The pilot's that help will get "cuts" in the lift line ahead of
those that don't! ;-)

So let's keep this GOing...I think we may be getting their attention.

Larry T

[HoUdino]

Avweb.com now has a podcast on the Hemet situation...have you sent
your letter?


http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/AudioPodcast_LarryTuohino_HemetField_OrangeCountyS oaringClub_200971-1.html


LT

[sisu1a]

On Aug 10, 1:16*pm, HoUdino > wrote:
> Avweb.com *now has a podcast on the Hemet situation...have you sent
> your letter?
>
> http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/AudioPodcast_LarryTuohino_HemetF...
>
> LT

Hi Larry,

I'm sure your already on it, but you should make an announcement at
the upcoming homebuilder's meet at Tehachapi during the Labor Day
workshop (and maybe again at the Dust Devil Dash...). Maybe even bring
envelopes and stationary, possibly a printed handout that outlines the
critical points to iterate as well as Mr Stone's mailing address and e-
contact infos. I bet everyone there will write a letter and send an
email... I'll bring a bunch of stamps to help this process if you
want.

-Paul

-Paul

[HoUdino]

> I'm sure your already on it, but you should make an announcement at
> the upcoming homebuilder's meet at Tehachapi during the Labor Day
> workshop (and maybe again at the Dust Devil Dash...). Maybe even bring
> envelopes and stationary, possibly a printed handout that outlines the
> critical points to iterate as well as Mr Stone's mailing address and e-
> contact infos. I bet everyone there will write a letter and send an
> email... *I'll bring a bunch of stamps to help this process if you
> want.
>
> -Paul
>
> -Paul

Paul-
I'm hoping this horror will be over by then and I can go back to XC
soaring. I had three good scores on OLC this year but regretfully
have had to shift focus to Hemet issues...you know I'd rather be at
17,500 racing over the Whites any day!

The usual OCSA Armada will be at Tehachapi for Labor Day, hopefully
celebrating and not crying in our beer.

See you then,

LT

[Roger Worden[_2_]]

On Aug 10, 1:16*pm, HoUdino > wrote:
> Avweb.com *now has a podcast on the Hemet situation...have you sent
> your letter?
>
> http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/AudioPodcast_LarryTuohino_HemetF...
>
> LT

One unfortunate aspect of this situation that is mentioned in the
interview: OCSA has been working toward building a youth soaring
program. We currently have two teenagers taking flight training. Our
club provides a means for motivated kids to get a jump on an aviation
career. Hemet-Ryan is the most central and convenient location for
students from Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. If we
have to shut down our training program, who knows if these kids will
make the move to a more distant and possibly more expensive training
program. Maybe this aspect can be leveraged in the letter campaign and
in the publicity that will be occurring.

[HoUdino]

For more background, the local paper, The Press Enterprise, picked up
our story, you can read it here:

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_glider19.44f292a.html

Last week's AvWeb interview has changed it's address to:

http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/AudioPodcast_LarryTuohino_HemetField_OrangeCountyS oaringClub_200971-1.html

Keep those letters to Supervisor Stone coming...after recieving no
response to our phone calls to his office, we walked into his office
yesterday...only person there was his admin assistant, who happened to
have a copy of the Press Enterprise on her desk at that moment! We
ID'd ourselves and requested a meeting, she acknowledged that we
seemed to be creating a bit of a commotion, and said she would relay
our request. Let's see what happens next....we asked that someone
come to our Aug 29th meeting.

More info to be posted on http://groups.google.com/group/save-soaring-at-hemet-today

Next step is our gathering on Aug 29th at 10am at the CAP headquarters
at Hemet-Ryan. Your attendence will help the cause!

LT

[Frank Whiteley]

On Aug 20, 8:36*am, HoUdino > wrote:
> For more background, the local paper, The Press Enterprise, picked up
> our story, you can read it here:
>
> http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_glider19.4...
>
> Last week's AvWeb interview has changed it's address to:
>
> http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/AudioPodcast_LarryTuohino_HemetF...
>
> Keep those letters to Supervisor Stone coming...after recieving no
> response to our phone calls to his office, we walked into his office
> yesterday...only person there was his admin assistant, who happened to
> have a copy of the Press Enterprise on her desk at that moment! *We
> ID'd ourselves and requested a meeting, she acknowledged that we
> seemed to be creating a bit of a commotion, and said she would relay
> our request. *Let's see what happens next....we asked that someone
> come to our Aug 29th meeting.
>
> More info to be posted onhttp://groups.google.com/group/save-soaring-at-hemet-today
>
> Next step is our gathering on Aug 29th at 10am at the CAP headquarters
> at Hemet-Ryan. *Your attendence will help the cause!
>
> LT

AOPA Aviation eBrief picked up the Press Enterprise link today.

Frank Whiteley

[Frank Whiteley]

http://www.pe.com/columns/bobpratte/stories/PE_News_Local_E_ebob26.46ab567.html

[HoUdino]

On Aug 26, 10:10*am, Frank Whiteley > wrote:
> http://www.pe.com/columns/bobpratte/stories/PE_News_Local_E_ebob26.46...

Looks like our "story has legs" in the local community!

The County is now talking to us and Stone's office has agreed to a
meeting. All started with the letters pilots have sent.

KEEP THE BLAST GOING...they are starting to break ranks.

LT

[RichardFreytag]

On Aug 3, 1:59*pm, HoUdino > wrote:
> * I am sad to report the County of Riverside California has ordered
> the closure of HMT Gliderport as of Sept 31st. *We got this word, out
> of the blue, a few weeks ago. *We were stunned as we had no warning.
>
> * We need an immediate letter campaign to the County of Riverside to
> persude them to NOT close the gliderport at Hemet-Ryan,
[SNIP]
>
> Larry Tuohino
> OCSA President
> SSA R12 Governor

Larry,

I fly with Skyline Soaring Club (http://skylinesoaring.org) and we
survived a three-year 'disagreement' that sounds in some ways similar.
With real political tact and public and private pressure those that
were local and in favor won out but it was very serious for us. Your
letter writing compaign is a good start. As you point out - loud
claims about FAA rules and torts are counterproductive.

I just submitted to the Supr. Stone's feedback page (updated link):
....this letter (in hopes it might help others):

Dear Supervisor Stone,

I oppose the closure of Hemet Ryan Airport to glider operations.
Please, we need your help to preserve this great legacy of aviation
unique to the Third District. I have flown from many mixed glider-
power airports and they are absolutely safe. Further, glider
operations are a profitable source of income, attention, and usage for
the airport and the community. Not only is Hemet Ryan famous through
out the gliding aviation community but it is the only option for
glider operations within reasonable driving distance of your
District.

I thank you for your assistance in preserving this important part of
our nation's aviation heritage.

Respectfully yours,
Richard Freytag
ASW-20c [H3]

[HoUdino]

In the words of Bon Homme Richard's captain, naval hero John Paul
Jones, when asked to surrender, "I (we) have not begun to fight".

The County is scrambling...I wouldn't want to be in today's EDA staff
meeting.

LT



Glider pilots react to Oct. 1 deadline to move from Hemet-Ryan
airport

Valley News Staff

Friday, September 18th, 2009.
Issue 38, Volume 9.


RIVERSIDE - Local glider pilots were "freaking out'' today after
learning they must move their equipment out of Hemet-Ryan Airport by
Oct. 1.

The county wants to stop all glider operations at Hemet-Ryan, citing
safety concerns and potential future conflicts the gliders might have
with water-dropping air tankers, law enforcement aircraft and commuter
flights at the airfield.

Glider enthusiasts say the airport is currently under-used and that
glider traffic brings more revenue to the area.

Earlier, they were told they would have months to move their gliders,
but this week they learned that Riverside County officials want them
to move the equipment in less than two weeks -- a deadline one pilot
called ``completely unreasonable.''

"There are a lot of guys freaking out here,'' said Larry Tuohino, an
aviator and president of the Orange County Sailplane Association. "One
of our members just had emergency knee surgery. He's not going to be
able to move his stuff. We've got some members with age and medical
issues, and having additional time makes a big difference.''

During the Sept. 1 Board of Supervisors' meeting, board Chairman Jeff
Stone said glider pilots should have three to six months beyond the
Oct. 1 deadline previously set by the county's Economic Development
Agency to haul away their sailplanes and associated equipment.

"This airport is transforming itself,'' Stone said during the Sept. 1
meeting. "We've had more (firefighting) air attack airplanes go into
Hemet-Ryan than anywhere in California. It's strategic. We're not
going to get away from the compatibility issue.''

He agreed the Oct. 1 deadline to remove the 30 to 50 gliders stored on
an 8-acre lot at the airport was too soon and requested that EDA grant
the additional time.

But Tuohino said in the last several days, members from his
organization and other glider pilots were informed the original
deadline will stand.

According to EDA spokesman Tom Freeman, the agency received a letter
shortly after the Sept. 1 meeting stating "in very strong language''
that glider operations were to be halted immediately.

"Unfortunately, we're not able to honor the supervisor's extension,''
Freeman said. "It's simply because we must comply with the guidelines
placed on us.''

He said the letter came from either Caltrans, which has inspecting
authority over public airfields across the state, or from the Federal
Aviation Administration.

"It's extremely difficult for me to believe that's true from a process
point of view,'' said Tuohino. "That sounds completely fallacious.''

His organization has demanded the county provide copies of
correspondence between it and any other state or federal agencies
regarding sailplane operations at Hemet-Ryan.

The airfield, located just west of Hemet, has been a hub for
recreational flying and fire suppression operations for more than 40
years.

Earlier this summer, Larry Howell, who runs Sailplane Enterprises
Inc., asked the county for an early termination of his lease at the
airport, saying business had dropped significantly during the recent
economic downturn.

The board, following EDA's recommendation, agreed to end the lease --
and at the same time ordered a halt to glider flying in general.

Freeman said too many safety hazards have cropped up, resulting in
"fatalities, injury and serious violations of regulations.''

Last weekend, a 70-year-old glider pilot was fatally injured during
takeoff from an airport in Lake Elsinore, possibly because the glider
detached prematurely from the airplane that was towing it into the
air.

"The county has been completely unreasonable. Their style is
appalling,'' said Tuohino. "Do we have our incidents? Every airport
has its incidents. We've had glider operations going on there since
the early 70s.

Nobody has come down on us until now. Why? Because they want to
redevelop the airport into a jet port.''

Tuohino questioned the wisdom of expanding Hemet-Ryan to facilitate
commuter operations when French Valley Aiport, 12 miles away, provides
the same services.

"French Valley Airport is a white elephant,'' he said. ``The county's
not making any money. Half or less of the space there is leased.''

He complained that county budget officials fail to discern the
economic benefit of glider pilots, trainees, their families and
friends coming to Hemet-Ryan and spending money on gas, food and
lodging. He said sailplane owners also pay the county annual fees to
park their aircraft at the field.

"We are the most active operation at Hemet-Ryan,'' said Tuohino. ``We
do more operations on the glider side than everything else on the
power side.''

According to the aviator, the hazards Caltrans has listed in
connection with sailplane operations are "extremely correctable.''

He said one of the biggest issues is tow-plane pilots using a
makeshift runway extension.

"Why that hasn't been corrected is beyond us,'' he said. ``The county
has dug up meaningless safety issues and thrown them at us because
that's the only way they could get us off the field.''

With airport expansion expected to take another three to five years,
Tuohino found it ``bizarre'' the county would rush to terminate
sailplane operations.

He said the Orange County Sailplane Association and other aviator
groups are appealing the county's decision to the FAA.

"The FAA requires that public airports support all forms of aviation
so long as they are safe -- that's their basic mantra,'' Tuohino
said.

[HoUdino]

The FAA and CalTrans reported today that, despite public comments by
the County to the contrary, they have sent no letter to the County
demanding the halting of glider operations at HMT on Oct 1st. The
County has been caught with its pants down. It has over spun the
story.

Thank you to everyone who has sent letters to Supr Stone. Those
letters got us the attention we needed. The battle is still on, but
now we are no longer ignored by the County.

Everyone can hold off on sending in any new letters for the
moment...looks like Tehachapi needs the support now?

BUT if you want to flame a bit in support of HMT...via the comment
sections of the various news stories and blogs (which seem to be
popping up everywhere), that can be still very helpful. Reporters
look at the comments to follow the readers mood and count the comments
to judge whether to continue writing on the subject...we don't want
local coverage to drop the story.

You can follow the news on our website at:
http://groups.google.com/group/save-soaring-at-hemet-today?hl=en Or
just Google the word combo: Hemet Glider News

LT

[jb92563]

> > "The FAA requires that public airports support all forms of aviation
> > so long as they are safe -- that's their basic mantra,'' Tuohino
> > said.

Does this mean I can not fly my Motor Glider into Hemet anymore?

And if my Grob 109 Motor glider is banned as well then by nature of
similar operating
principles pretty much every taildragger Cessna, LSA or whatever
should also be "Unsafe"
and therefore banned from using Hemet-Ryan airport?

And is the Pipistrel Virus Motor Glider also banned, which would then
by similar operating
principles eliminate all the other tricycle gear aircraft as well.

I guess that just leaves the Jets and Fire Fighting
aircraft......dumb.

If tow launched Gliders are seen as dangerous at airports then I
suspect these closings are going to accelerate
as once the precedent is set there will be little to stop it.

It sounds like Hemet is going to need state and federal intervention
to save gliding at Hemet.