Sad goodbyes to N04

by joe4628@[EMAIL PROTECTED] Apr 27, 2006 at 12:25 PM


Well, as 2 airports a month close in this country it's time to say a sad
good bye to N04. It's a beautiful uncontrolled field just east of BDR
and HVN. Beautiful and right by the water. Tiny field but close to a
main road and a 4 minute walk to the dunkin donunts, bagels, sea food,
exxon.. The C172 made it no problem. (1800-1900 feet long)

This closing is a major bummer.
BTW, this might be a good time to mention that Bader field in Atlantic
City (another uncontrolled field) is closing this year (and aopa can't
stop this one either).

If this trend does not reverse... keeping in mind that past airports
that closed never re-opened.




That is the free market in operation, much to the dismay of AOPA. The
closures of the private fields are evidence that the economics of this
business do not work.

The airports that receive tax subsidies (FAA, state and/or local) are, by
are large, still open. Without the tax subsidies, the charges necessary
to operate a private plane would be beyond many pilots' ability to pay.
The AOPA knows this, but uses absurd arguments and political connections
to keep their hands in the general taxpayers pockets.

But times they are a changin', thanks in large part to internet technology
which helps grass roots organizations fight back against special interest
groups like AOPA.

Long term trends of rising fuel prices, upcoming user fees (direct, or
indirect) necessitated by federal deficit problems, and a growing
population subject to air- and noise-pollution will keep the trend of
closures going strong.

The industry is largely to blame, as it has for years resisted any
reductions in subsidies, or any attempt at public accountability.

Skylune wrote:
Long term trends of rising fuel prices, upcoming user fees (direct, or
indirect) necessitated by federal deficit problems, and a growing
population subject to air- and noise-pollution will keep the trend of
closures going strong.

The industry is largely to blame, as it has for years resisted any
reductions in subsidies, or any attempt at public accountability.


What else is new Loon? The same can be said of most "industries"
in the United States. One difference that puts aviation at a slight
disadvantage is the multi-mega-million dollar lawsuits that are
basically responsible for the inability to be profitable in this
business. For that, you can thank the trial lawyers and their good
ol' buddies in Congress.

Skylune wrote:
That is the free market in operation, much to the dismay of AOPA. The
closures of the private fields are evidence that the economics of this
business do not work.

The FAA predicts increased use of smaller airports as the VLJs make
air-taxi operations more realistic and economical than they are today.
That may change the economics of this business, but it will be too late
for the landowners who've decided that more houses and stores and fewer
airports are a good thing.

The airports that receive tax subsidies (FAA, state and/or local) are, by
are large, still open. Without the tax subsidies, the charges necessary
to operate a private plane would be beyond many pilots' ability to pay.

What are these tax subsidies?

But times they are a changin', thanks in large part to internet technology
which helps grass roots organizations fight back against special interest
groups like AOPA.

These "grass roots organizations" are really just fighting for the
benefit of other special interest groups, like developers of
residential and commercial properties. And in the case of homeowners
near airports who complain of noise, I have little sympathy -- they
acquired their land knowing about the nearby airport, probably because
the land's value was depressed by the airport's presence. If they
didn't know about the nearby airport, then they weren't very diligent.
To reward either type would be unfair to the other landowners who did
their due diligence or decided to pay a premium for property farther
from the airport.

That is the free market in operation, much to the dismay of AOPA. The
closures of the private fields are evidence that the economics of this
business do not work.

Could you help me close I-84? It's not making a profit either, and the
noise and pollution from the highway is driving me nuts.

I don't want to close the entire highway, just the part that runs near
my house. I'm sure the rest of the highway will be just as effective
without those three miles of pavement, which would make a terrific
foundation for a profit making tax generating shopping mall, especially
with two highways pointing right to it.

Jose
--
The price of freedom is... well... freedom.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

"Jose" wrote in message
om...
That is the free market in operation, much to the dismay of AOPA.
The closures of the private fields are evidence that the economics
of this business do not work.

Could you help me close I-84? It's not making a profit either, and
the noise and pollution from the highway is driving me nuts.

I don't want to close the entire highway, just the part that runs near
my house. I'm sure the rest of the highway will be just as effective
without those three miles of pavement, which would make a terrific
foundation for a profit making tax generating shopping mall, especially
with two highways pointing right to it.


The problem with this analogy is that hundreds of thousands, if not
millions, will use those 3 miles of interstate versus the few thousand who
will use N04.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/N04

On 2006-04-27, Skylune wrote:
That is the free market in operation, much to the dismay of AOPA. The
closures of the private fields are evidence that the economics of this
business do not work.

Really? I learned to fly at a private airfield. It was profitable. Not
wildly so, but it made money. It wasn't more expensive to base there
than any of the other nearby airfields.

--
Yes, the Reply-To email address is valid.
Oolite-Linux: an Elite tribute: http://oolite-linux.berlios.de

The airports that receive tax subsidies (FAA, state and/or local) are, by
are large, still open. Without the tax subsidies, the charges
necessary
to operate a private plane would be beyond many pilots' ability to
pay.

Gee, good thing RI subsidizes the Block Island State Airport which you
flew into today with your pal, otherwise you'd have been on the BI
ferry... which is probably also subsidized. Not such a bad thing now is
it?