At the risk of opening the political door, I had recently done some searching in regard to legislation, proposed or otherwise, supporting backcountry flying and ran across efforts in Idaho for a bill that would assure that airstrips in Idaho remain open despite efforts by the enviro-wacko's to close them.

Butch Otter's bill has died in the past two congress's but he has vowed to bring it back again. IMHO we need to show support for Butch (as well as others) willing to fight the good fight for our airstrips. I have e-mailed my congressman telling him I would appreciate his support of Butch's bill. Even if we live in other states, it might help to "put a bug" in your legislators ear, so when it comes up again, at least he/she has heard about it.

Letter from Butch posted here:

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10196/butch.jpg

Mark,

I don't think anybody in this community would argue with you on this one. I think it is really cool that you wrote the representative and stuck up for our interests.

This web community is mainly dedicated to bringing flying enthusiasts together, and I don't have any aspirations of becoming a UBP or RAF, but I'm glad to see somebody rallying support for the cause and I will do all I can to provide exposure with this site.

I encourage anyone on this site to contribute to the UBP or RAF(first 2 links in the link menu) as they are the ones who will lobby for us. Personally contacting your congressman like Mark did can be very effective too, and it's free.

Zane

Zane,

Thanks for the mention and help. I personally have contact with my congressman's staff and although Butch's bill is aimed at Idaho's airstrips it does also effect how the Fed's will deal with other backcountry airstrips. Also, our local elected officials may not realize that they have constituents that are concerned and are effected by these issues. The groups you mention do a good job of putting pressure where it is most needed but if you have any contact or influence over any member of congress, it sure doesn't hurt to bend their ear a bit and perhaps when the bill comes up for discussion again they might be more likely to add their support. Unfortunately with most of these guys it isn't a case of what's right or wrong but how they want to spend their political clout and if the risk / reward factor adds up. Most if not all of your legislators have e-mail capability and contacting them through those means is very easy.

Mark

This got a little bit of extra coverage this week in AOPA's ePilot newsletter:

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060105id.html

Hey guys I'm a very active outdoor user with my dirt bike and over the last couple years I watched some dedictated people in the club I was with go to battle for us numerous times. They made a big difference in keeping open areas for us to ride. There is definately strength in numbers when it comes to issues like this. Spread the word and keep fighting on this one!

Hi guys. I was just rereading the posts on this subject of protecting our interests-backcountry flying, saving all the reat escape places and any other strip that we can land on for that matter.
I am based at a private airport and was speaking with the owner last week ; he was paying bills and came across his AOPA renewal. Said he wasn't going to renew and save his $29. Normally I try to mind my own business. However, this time I couldn't.
I reminded him that AOPA was the one and only association of its kind in the USA or world for that matter and that no other organization had the power to lobby as effectly on a national scale as they do. They are the NRA for aircraft owners and pilots. Although they may seem to mostly represent the professional faster and higher crowd, thet do stand up for anything thats aviation onboth our legislative and administrative branches of Govt with a professional legal staff on hand to press their point.
I'm just a ordinary Maule driver and member of AOPA, but I urge all of you to remember them with both your membership and political donation if possible. They do a powerful job of defending the small minority which we as owners and pilots are.
I'll get off my soapbox now; thanks for listening/reading.
Rich