The CBS reporter who worked last week's Anti-GA story on small airport security has responded to an e-mail sent him by ANN's Editor-In-Chief. His response is included below for everyone's consideration. CBS' Bob Orr gave us his phone number and we are pursuing the possibility of an interview in order to get more insight into how last week's story came together as well as the dialogue he advocates. We'll keep you apprised. Orr's E-Mail ...I'm sure you're aware that I have been thoroughly castigated by AOPA members for a story that was completely about the GOVERNMENT'S responsibilities in protecting our national air space and security. We're confident the story was factual, fair, and in context (when you consider we've done scores of reports since 9/11

Pilots nationwide are more than alarmed by CBS Evening News “Eye on America” Correspondent Bob Orr’s report last week, which described residential airpark communities and General Aviation airports as “an open invitation for terrorists.” In fact, according to Jan Hoynacki, executive director of the United States Pilots Association (USPA), aviation enthusiasts across America are themselves feeling terrorized by fear-driven security woes. “We feel like General Aviation is under attack by a movement in this country to eliminate ‘little’ airplanes,” Hoynacki alleged. And in context of the barrage of regulatory restrictions, codicils and conventions which have been imposed upon and proposed for General Aviation since 9-11, coupled wi

Tenants Call  Extra Charge "Outrageous"

Aircraft owners and pilots who lease space at Crystal River Airport have a serious gripe against the facility's manger. They say a new minimum $60 surcharge for aircraft parking is unfair. Tom Davis, the airport manager, says its the fee is vital to airport's survival. Davis is president of Crystal Aero Group Inc., the company Citrus County contracts to run the Crystal River Airport. Davis claims he has been catching some unpleasant feedback from aircraft owners since the beginning of the year, when he started making plane owners pay an additional surcharge to rent space - either tie down or hangar - at the public airport. Angry plane owners called the new facility fee "outrageous" when compared with prices to lease space at

Expansion Includes Buying Residential Area

Wichita's Mid-Continent airport needs some elbowroom, and as a result, some residents may lose their homes in the not-too-distant future. A final plan for Mid-Continent and Col. James Jabara Airport in northeast Wichita is expected to go before the City Council in the spring or late summer. The tentative 20-year master plan for Mid-Continent includes acquiring additional land, including a residential area containing about two dozen homes. Obviously, this comes as bad news for those residents, who may end up fighting an eminent domain battle if they don't chose to sell. The comprehensive plan also includes expanding the airport's air cargo facilities, extending the east parallel runway by 1,400 feet and developing some addition

A new Sporty’s Ground Lesson Guide for the Recreational and Private Pilot has been developed with flight and groundschool instructors in mind. Another Sporty’s aviation industry first, the Ground Lesson Guide is a step-by-step guide for teaching the groundschool lessons found in Sporty’s integrated Training Course Outline. Key points and reference materials will allow both instructors and students to be properly prepared for the next lesson. Use of Sporty’s Ground Lesson Guide complements Sporty’s Complete Flight Training Course on Interactive DVD. Originally produced to provide a method of standardization among Sporty’s own 30 flight instructors, this book allows any qualified instructor to step in and teach a ground lesson from Sporty’s