AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2012 - 26

LETTERS
I liked “Classically Quick,” but I hope after seeing the photos of Jens’ airplane someone will tell him about his nose gear doors not closing. John Gayley, AOPA 519458 Bowdoin, Maine Flying wild in Alaska I thoroughly enjoyed the article and AOPA Live interview regarding Flying Wild Alaska (“Flying Wild in Alaska,” February 2012 AOPA Pilot). After two seasons of watching this reality show, I have to conclude that it is good for aviation in general, and certainly calls attention to its benefits in all facets of Alaskan life. Without question, the skills required to perform off-airport landings and takeoffs are consummate, but inherently risky. I can’t help but wonder why helicopters aren’t used for such operations. Jim Sanford, AOPA 209322 Guyton, Georgia I enjoyed Julie Summers Walker’s excellent article on Flying Wild Alaska. I’m a huge fan of the series. I hope Ariel was able to get her private certificate—she does come off as a bit of a “flake” on the show, so it was nice to hear she does have a serious side as well. Over my business career I flew many miles with bush pilots around Alaska. It was truly an adventure and Alaska is an incredible array of beauty, wilderness, and open spaces. The pilots who fly there have to be the very best or they won’t survive. The village’s official name is “Unalakleet” rather than “Unakaleet” as written in the article. On the show they pronounce it “Una-kleet,” which is much easier to say—especially when talking with ATC. Bill McCutcheon, AOPA 1274837 Mercer Island, Washington I love that show big time. Yes, there is some drama, but they do a pretty good job of keeping it real. The show keeps me motivated to keep after my goal of getting my certificate current again and buying my Cirrus this year. Shawn M. Meehan, AOPA 3919428 Carson City, Nevada On brand-new wings I enjoyed reading Thomas B. Haines’ article about the delivery of the new Boeing 737-700 (“On Brand-New Wings,” February 2012 AOPA Pilot). I’ll bet that was a
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great experience and I’m glad that I got to ride along vicariously. I was flabbergasted at the lack of WAAS GPS; satellite weather; and geo-referenced en route, approach, and taxiway charts on a $60 million airplane! Can’t Southwest (or Boeing) afford a Garmin 696, which would supply all of these benefits for $2,800? I sure have one of these babies in my 37-year-old Cessna 206, and really appreciate its capabilities. Tom Pearson, AOPA 337276 Houston, Texas Pay up As a VFR pilot who frequently utilizes ATC flight following for 200- to 400-nm excursions that come in proximity to Class B and C airspace, it concerns me that pilots may choose to avoid the user fees and fly outside the system (“Rally GA: Pay Up,” February 2012 AOPA Pilot). The temptation to compromise flight safety seems obvious when the cost of flying is already at record highs because of historic fuel prices. Imagine the volume of ATC calls for “unidentified VFR aircraft at your______” if a majority of pilots like me opt out of flight following to save the money. Let’s get our fair share for the avgas tax that we already pay and keep it safe up there. Bruce Kerr, AOPA 1334500 Dyersburg, Tennessee All of us pilots and aviation enthusiasts understand that general aviation is under stress with the continuing great recession here in the United States. Imposing user fees above and beyond the existing fuel tax could effectively kill general aviation as we now know it. The result would not only be fewer pilots flying fewer hours but the loss of thousands of jobs in general aviation resulting from reduced new (and used) aircraft sales, maintenance, operations, and support. It is unfortunate that this country is crippled by a president who clearly has little understanding of the free enterprise system and values big government greater than the fundamental economic values, which made our country the largest economy in the world. Hopefully the legislative branch has greater wisdom and understanding of free enterprise economics. We’ll see. Keith S. Anvick, AOPA 850850 San Carlos, California I think that since this is a threat that requires political action every year, we need to increase the renewal fees to AOPA

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APRIL 2012

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2012