Just got an email from the MPA. Apparently Kalispell is trying to close the local airport, and MPA is fighting to keep it open, and would like any help they can get in this fight.

Here is a link that will explain some of it and contact info if you would like to participate in the fight to try and keep another airport from being shut down.

http://montanapilots.org/press_releases ... Pierce.pdf

Thanks
Gary

I just sent an email to the city council while I drank my morning coffee. Very little effort was required. Even if you don't fly into the Flathead Valley please help us out.

Thanks for the info, Gary.

I only got a 1/4 way down the Questions/Answer page (I'm at work ). Seems like the biggest issue is noise. Sounds like some simple pattern changes would help tremedously (Raising the TPA to 1000 AGL, Curfews, Land 31-TO 13 when possible, Avoid Flight Over Town when possible and other noise abbatement procedures). These changes would be a lot better than closing down yet another airport. And nothing new to most of us pilots that fly into many differant airports.

Is there a website form the group that's trying to close down this airport? Would be interesting to read what they're saying (what kind of non-factual crap they're trying to shove down peoples throut).

I also looked on Google Maps and noticed there's plenty of what looks like new community's built up kind of close to the airport . Classic situation........................

Build homes close to airport, people move in thinking the airport won't bother them, 5 years go by, "Oh my gosh, that plane was noisy taking off!!!!", "I don't like that in my backyard" "Stupid me, why the hell was I stupid to buy a house next to an airport????" "I Can't sell the house, I don't want to move!!!" "I have an idea" "Let's come up with a bunch of BS why the airport across the street is "unsafe"!!! Next thing you know, Stupid is passing out flyers all over town saying "Airport UNSAFE, Help Fight to Close It Down!!!" "Otherwise, Planes Will Continue to Fall Out of the Sky in Our Town and All Over the Globe!!!!" Next thing you know, Stupid has umpteen million stupid supporters and the unresponsible news media outlets has to get there 5 cents in there too!!!

Errrr Wow , my fingers just kept typing away. Anyway, you want to know how I really feel about small airports closing?????

66skylane wrote:I just sent an email to the city council while I drank my morning coffee. Very little effort was required. Even if you don't fly into the Flathead Valley please help us out.

I'll do the same when I get home and send it from my personal email.


Oh.........Sorry for the rant on my first reply!!

Flathead valley has changed a lot. Some old time residents cannot aford the property tax cus so many have moeved in and raised the property values.

Why is there two threads on the same subject. Where is the janitor?

Tim

Has anyone on this forum flown in here lately?

I flew out of there about 27 years ago, and it was an ugly little spot then. Local pilots didn't like it, and I never heard of people in town bitching about it -- just the pilots.

I'll contact some old Montana guys up there and see what they think, but that wasn't known for being such a great spot back then. I'm surprised it has lasted this long, really.

I'd sure like some recent, up-to-date reports from people who actually fly in and out of there.

I have used it 2X in the last 3 years. Nice place. Motels and restaurants close buy. We all need to email the city.

dhc
Sometimes it's just principle. They close one, they get some momentum, they close another, Kinda like recent politics. Either stand up and stop it, or wonder why/what's goin on.

Gary

Thanks for the replies.

Gary, I understand the momentum thing real well, and unfortunately, it's all too common. I just had my doubts about this airport being the best example of defending an airport come-what-may, just because it's been there. Like I said -- it was never any of the local people up there who were unhappy with it, it was the pilots flying in and out. It'd be a crappy goddamn place to have an engine quit.... I think about that every hour I fly... and have been just lucky that the ones I've had were in more remote places. If I can go another 30+ years without setting it down on top of someone on the ground, I'll be happy.

I'll check with the old guys up there, and go on their recommendations. Thanks.

organize a big flyin and bring in a bunch of airplanes and business for the locals. Than ...

Kalispell is a great little town to visit. It would be a shame to have this airport closed. From this airport, you can walk into town or stay at a motel which is virutally on the airport. There is a great bar/pizza place in town called Moose's. If you have not had their pizza and a pitcher of Moose drool, you are missing out.

It would be an excellent place for a fly-in.

I think the closing of this airport should be fought vigorously.

The international airport is many miles away from town and busy with commercial traffic.

flyer

I've use dthe strip three time in last five or six years. Folks always friendly and give you a car or truck to use if needed to get around. I'd hate to see the place close. International airport is a long ways out of the city and everything more expensive there. My .02

And if we can't organize a fly in. Heck, lets all make it over there with intent of spending our money in the local businesses. Also make a stink of ourselves and tell every business that we flew in and what the officials are planning. I think that in itself would do something.