Mark (and others) are 100% right on this one. You
do not need to ask permission. In fact, doing so sets
a bad precedent. In dealing with FAA or airport management,
remind them (tactfully) that the burden of proof is
on them. In other words, if they can't show you regulations
prohibiting an activity, then they must allow it.
Understand that they probably don't know the regs as
well as you do.
Recognizing that the tower probably has never dealt
with a motorglider, in the interest of safety, a brief
letter describing your intentions, limitations and
expectations might smooth things a bit.
You are a registered aircraft wishing to use a public
airport. Send a letter, show up and fly. If you catch
any flak from airport management or FAA, ask them to
put it in writing. Carry a small tape recorder with
you. I've found these two practices quickly knock
the wind out of most overzealous bureaucrats. Be polite,
but if the tower continues to give you trouble, ask
them to put a supervisor on the radio.
As for wake turbulence, and taxiing around with the
big boys, I doubt you are any more at risk than a small
Cessna or Katana. Stay back 200' or so, and accept
a wake turbulence delay on takeoff.
If you are barred from entering the airport, contact
your state aviation department and your congressman.
You'd be amazed how quickly they can sway the system
to your side.
At 09:06 08 January 2004, Steve B wrote:
Get friendly with
the FSDO people and ask an inspector to observe your
arrival and departure, and
report back to superiors.
FSDO folks are starting to help get the ball rolling...
at this point
they have been helpful with putting together a proposal
to the 'powers
that be' to gradualy move in the direction of being
allowed to
demonstrate the capabilities of the aircraft in regards
to safe and
effecient operation and traffic mix.
SnipIt's just
another (all too common) case of someone who doesn't
know anything about
gliders or their capability and doesn't want to learn.
Just ban them
altogether and the problem goes away.
Don't have the T Shirt yet but I am 'being there' and
'doing that'
sounds like you have been there done that.
Thanks
Steve
(MKEENE221) wrote in message news:...
Steve,
This probably won't make much difference to your airport
manager, but I once
flew a motorglider, unannounced into and out of Dallas
Love Field. And I know
of an FAA inspector who flew his C-150 into DFW airport
on a fairly regular
basis.
It was, and is ATC's job to separate traffic, no matter
what the type or class.
There's no need to call them and, in effect, ask
permission. To ATC, there's
little difference between your motorglider and a Kitfox
or a J3 Cub, and I'm
sure the manager doesn't make them jump through the
same hoops. It's just
another (all too common) case of someone who doesn't
know anything about
gliders or their capability and doesn't want to learn.
Just ban them
altogether and the problem goes away.
That said, my recommendation to you is to first, play
by the rules that
everyone has to play by. In other words, fit in to
the traffic flow just like
there's nothing special.
Some specific examples include the following. Know
the ATC lingo and use it in
a professional, courteous way. When taxiing, stay
as close behind other
traffic as safely possible. No need to be 1/4 mile
behind a C172 because of
propwash. Just like any other aircraft, even airliners,
you can refuse takeoff
clearance because of wake turbulence, but be reasonable.
Be ready to go when
you're number one, and request an immediate turnout
to allow another aircraft
to takeoff ASAP. Have a plan to expedite things before
you land. After
landing, clear the runway ASAP.
All that considered, my advise would be to show up
unannounced and fly. The
fastest way to teach someone who doesn't want to learn,
is to give them
experience. Fly in, get a drink at the FBO, and fly
out. Get friendly with
the FSDO people and ask an inspector to observe your
arrival and departure, and
report back to superiors. With a, hopefully neutral
witness, your case can be
strengthened. Be friendly, not demanding.
One more point, Federal law is in force here, not
state law. Remember that the
airport manager will use any tactic he can, to intimidate
you into going away.
As was said in a previous post, if they take federal
funds, they can't refuse
you. If they threaten you with something, ask them
in a polite and humble way
to show you where to find the reg that they're referring
to.
Mark Keene
|