Clifornia City Gider ops in jeopardy

Soarist

It is thanks to the many hundreds of hours of research, investigation and
dedication by the California City Glider Pilots Action Group and the
soaring community in general. That we at least temporarily have some hope
of Caltrans re-permitting Cal City Airport to return to the safe, sane and
functional operations of the past three plus decades. So that viable
operations can continue while we wait for the major runway glider
staging/launch apron project to be completed. One of the most
disheartening aspects of this fight, was when we found out that AOPA and
Calpilots were not interested in offering any support whatsoever in keeping
70% of the operations and 50% of the aircraft based at Calif City Airport.
For the time being we encourage those interested to go to Walt Rogers Blog
and get some idea of the history of what has been going on, and you can
scroll down to the bottom of the page and post comments.

http://scriptogr.am/wrogerswx/post/c...der-operations

We are asking that you hold off sending any comments to the politicians
because that will be our last line of defense if needed.

Marty and the Calif City Glider Pilots Action Group

Marty,
I contacted AOPA and they claim no knowledge of issues at Cal City Airport regarding gliders. Here is their reply to me.

Hi Guy,

Thanks for contacting AOPA's Pilot Information Center. I am not aware of any AOPA movement to drive off any operations at L71. AOPA represents all pilots, including glider pilots. Is there a situation at California City Municipal that we should be aware of? Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any other concerns or questions.

Safe Flying,

Paul Feldmeyer | Pilot Information Center
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
800-872-2672 | www.aopa.org

So, Marty...can you explain this?

I have no idea what you actually said to AOPA but your posted reply from
them that references them not being aware of any AOPA movement to drive off
any operations at L71. Is confusing at best. Apparently AOPA's left hand
doesn't know what it's right hand is saying or doing.

So to clearly show that AOPA was contacted regarding the issues please read
the following.

AOPA contact including descriptions and numerous attachments regarding the
issues faced by the California City glider pilots, commenced on 8/24/13
with and 8/28/13
and , 9/5/13 and
, 9/12/13 9/12/13

On Sept 11,12,13 there was a California Airports Association meeting in
South Lake Tahoe which was attended by Tom Weil the California City Manager
(past Calif City airport manager) who also happens to be a member of the
board for California Airports Association. Also in attendance was Caltrans
Division chief, FAA LAX ADO chief, Cal Pilots rep and AOPA rep. Following
this meeting Mr. Weil made it a point to tell me that regarding the issues
with Caltrans that the AOPA rep (that I believe was Bill Dunn) said that
“while the FAA can set safety standards, Caltrans can require higher
standards�.

The concept that AOPA has no issue with Caltrans using selective
enforcement and ambiguous safety standards as a means of discriminating
against a particular sector of aviation, is disgraceful. For my own part,
AOPA’s total lack of concern and inaction means that I will no longer
remain a member of that organization.

If anyone wishes more specific info regarding those email communications
with AOPA you contact me directly at and I will
forward you copies.


At 04:07 29 October 2013, wrote:
Marty,
I contacted AOPA and they claim no knowledge of issues at Cal City
Airport
=
regarding gliders. Here is their reply to me.

Hi Guy,

Thanks for contacting AOPA's Pilot Information Center. I am not aware of
an=
y AOPA movement to drive off any operations at L71. AOPA represents all
pil=
ots, including glider pilots. Is there a situation at California City
Munic=
ipal that we should be aware of? Please do not hesitate to contact us if
yo=
u have any other concerns or questions.

Safe Flying,

Paul Feldmeyer | Pilot Information Center
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
800-872-2672 | www.aopa.org

So, Marty...can you explain this?

A local soaring club near me provided free soaring instruction to the new state airport manager. He paid for the tows. He soloed last summer. It all started with a complementary ride in a nice glider back in January.

The education process best starts before a conflict develops, and it probably would not have helped at Cali, but there are other airports where the proactive approach might benefit.

Very nice answer. I have copied it to Mr. Feldmeyer from AOPA and am asking for an explaination why he claimed no knowledge.

On Friday, October 25, 2013 10:10:22 PM UTC-7, Martin Eiler wrote:
Soarist



It is thanks to the many hundreds of hours of research, investigation and

dedication by the California City Glider Pilots Action Group and the

soaring community in general. That we at least temporarily have some hope

of Caltrans re-permitting Cal City Airport to return to the safe, sane and

functional operations of the past three plus decades. So that viable

operations can continue while we wait for the major runway glider

staging/launch apron project to be completed. One of the most

disheartening aspects of this fight, was when we found out that AOPA and

Calpilots were not interested in offering any support whatsoever in keeping

70% of the operations and 50% of the aircraft based at Calif City Airport..

For the time being we encourage those interested to go to Walt Rogers Blog

and get some idea of the history of what has been going on, and you can

scroll down to the bottom of the page and post comments.



http://scriptogr.am/wrogerswx/post/c...der-operations



We are asking that you hold off sending any comments to the politicians

because that will be our last line of defense if needed.



Marty and the Calif City Glider Pilots Action Group

I like to disagree with Marty on the issues with AOPA.
They offer discount on glider insurance which more or less equates the cost of membership. In addition one gets a pretty good publication and I think some insurance as well.
They are a first rate organization when it comes to GA however the soaring community being on the fringes; must be a pimple on their butt. Still I'm sure they could be persuaded to jump in to the rescue but of course that needs to happen at a higher level.
The organization I have a heartburn with however is the SSA. Outside of a third rate magazine that is hardly worth reading anymore (far more information on RAS) I'm not sure of the benefits if any of the SSA.
When this thing at Cal City blew up local glider pilot John Shmoldas volunteered to champion contacting the SSA (and turns out he did far more than any, documenting and presenting all the facts available to the many bureucrats.)
He first contacted Steve Northcraft in early September, the higher up at the SSA who simply passed the buck and suggested getting help at the "local level".
The "local level" basically offered some suggestions and helped with facts, an SSA letterhead with the "local level" John Henry signature but basically John Shmoldas facts, research and circumstances.
This than went to the SSA, AOPA,CalTrans, FAA etc. and now we are all waiting without much clue as to the faith to Cal City glider operations .
California City is one of the few premier and historic glider operations in existence and one would think that if one of these sights is in jeopardy (especially in this case as the reasons are not clear and even may be bogus) the SSA would drop all the b/s and jump all over it, utilizing all it's clout; legal and otherwise. And than perhaps the higher ups might have enough clout with AOPA and their legal staff to get involved but I guess it's easier to kick the can down the road to the "local level".
My 5 C worth
6PK

Nice rant but no meat on the bone.
SSA doesn't deal with airport issues. That is an AOPA issue.
Was AOPA brought in fairly early in the process?
What was the AOPA opinion/advice?
I expect that they would push it down to the local level as far as people doing things but I would hope that AOPA would provide advice on actions/FAA control/legal advice/etc.

On Wednesday, October 30, 2013 8:33:42 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Nice rant but no meat on the bone.

SSA doesn't deal with airport issues. That is an AOPA issue.

Was AOPA brought in fairly early in the process?

What was the AOPA opinion/advice?

I expect that they would push it down to the local level as far as people doing things but I would hope that AOPA would provide advice on actions/FAA control/legal advice/etc.

The mere suggestion that the SSA does not get involved with airport issues to me is outer nonsense.
That is exactly the type of issues they need to get involved in along with the AOPA.
6PK

Marty,

Has there been any updates on the situation at L71 glider operations? The website doesn't seem to have any recent updates.

For others, I had only discovered the thread on RAS that mentioned the current situation at L71 and caught up with all of the documentation a few weeks ago. While I no longer live in the Antelope Valley area, I spent 8 years living there and using the Cal City airport, both as a power pilot and a glider pilot. It is one of the few places in the country where I've found ideal operations for both types of aircraft that easily and safely maintains separation between aircraft types and allows for simultaneous operations if necessary.

I wholeheartedly support the existing glider operations plan that's been in effect since well before I was born and that has worked so well over all those years. Cal City gets the vast majority of its traffic and aircraft operations from glider operations year round. Without the gliders, the community will have lost a valuable resource and amazing place to fly.

Please let me know where I can offer further statements of support to the organizations that work for us.

Regards,
Jason


On Saturday, October 26, 2013 1:10:22 AM UTC-4, Martin Eiler wrote:
Soarist



It is thanks to the many hundreds of hours of research, investigation and

dedication by the California City Glider Pilots Action Group and the

soaring community in general. That we at least temporarily have some hope

of Caltrans re-permitting Cal City Airport to return to the safe, sane and

functional operations of the past three plus decades. So that viable

operations can continue while we wait for the major runway glider

staging/launch apron project to be completed. One of the most

disheartening aspects of this fight, was when we found out that AOPA and

Calpilots were not interested in offering any support whatsoever in keeping

70% of the operations and 50% of the aircraft based at Calif City Airport..

For the time being we encourage those interested to go to Walt Rogers Blog

and get some idea of the history of what has been going on, and you can

scroll down to the bottom of the page and post comments.



http://scriptogr.am/wrogerswx/post/c...der-operations



We are asking that you hold off sending any comments to the politicians

because that will be our last line of defense if needed.



Marty and the Calif City Glider Pilots Action Group

California City statistics for Saturday 14 December.
A great day for power flying: Low density altitude (high 14C/57F), no clouds, 100 mile visibility, very light wind, no pesky vertical air movement.
Witnessed by myself between the hours of 9:45AM and sunset.

Tow plane takeoffs: 3
Tow plane landings: 3
Glider takeoffs: 3
Glider landings: 3
Non-glider-associated takeoffs: 1
Non-glider-associated landings: 1
Fouga Magister engine runs: 1

Jim

On Monday, December 16, 2013 7:41:17 AM UTC-8, Jason Kramb wrote:
Marty,



Has there been any updates on the situation at L71 glider operations? The website doesn't seem to have any recent updates.



For others, I had only discovered the thread on RAS that mentioned the current situation at L71 and caught up with all of the documentation a few weeks ago. While I no longer live in the Antelope Valley area, I spent 8 years living there and using the Cal City airport, both as a power pilot and a glider pilot. It is one of the few places in the country where I've found ideal operations for both types of aircraft that easily and safely maintains separation between aircraft types and allows for simultaneous operations if necessary.



I wholeheartedly support the existing glider operations plan that's been in effect since well before I was born and that has worked so well over all those years. Cal City gets the vast majority of its traffic and aircraft operations from glider operations year round. Without the gliders, the community will have lost a valuable resource and amazing place to fly.



Please let me know where I can offer further statements of support to the organizations that work for us.



Regards,

Jason