Unfair outrage that *could* lead to activism

A reader of the Fredericksburg, Va. "The Free Lance Star" newspaper had this to say about the pilots flying from his local airport. This is the USA and we enjoy free speech, but this kind of thinking has a way of getting the attention of uninformed community activists. Better drop a line to the editor at letters@freelancestar.com and be A General Aviation Advocate!

Here's what he had to say...

- In July, a small private aircraft crashed into a subdivision in Florida. Two children and one adult inside their home were killed. Three people on the ground were maimed, with a 10-year-old boy being burned over 90 percent of his body.

In October, a small plane crashed into another subdivision, killing the pilot and 24 people on the ground. Another small plane crashed into two homes in Orlando in July, killing five and injuring three others. In May, two small aircraft collided in mid-air over a subdivision in Ohio, and debris fell into people's yards, killing three people.

Such needless loss of life occurs weekly thanks to the recreational pursuits of general aviation pilots.

Recently, an aircraft left the Stafford Airport making a noise that sounded like it was going to explode. As it gained altitude and crossed Mountain View Road, it lost power and the engine cut off. It was nearly 10 seconds before the engine was restarted, while the aircraft was perilously close to falling out of control.

Finally, the engine restarted, and the plane made an almost vertical left climbing turn right across many homes, in order to avoid crashing.

The residents of the Mountain View community live with this kind of senseless threat to their lives every day, all for the benefit of the privileged few who use this airport for their own convenience and recreation.

Airport staff have not discussed the incident and the hundreds of other such close calls, and they can do this because they answer to no one. Stafford Economic Development Director Tim Baroody and other Stafford County officials have written off the safety and welfare of residents, all to provide special privileges to their elite friends. What kind of country allows such violation of human rights?

Ted A. Parks Stafford