[We get a lot of interesting letters here at Aero-News, and many of them have some good ideas within. We encourage and promote GA whenever possible, and it looks like Scott Thomason may have one of the coolest ideas yet, providing access to the new Udvar-Hazy exhobot, and at the same time giving GA pilots a 'privileged' access to the soon-to-open facility. Excerpts from his letter are below, along with an initial response from the Center.]

Dear ANN:

I am in the process of trying to push forward the idea of providing general aviation access to the new National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles.

Below is the email "conversation" I've had with the PR office over at NASM. They have not returned my last email detailing the location of the current paved access to Dulles International.

I think all I lack is some political muscle to get this idea to those who can make the decision to pursue this idea in greater detail. I'm working on congressional contacts, but just being a mere citizen might not have the weight necessary to get anything done.

I would appreciate if ANN could help me bring this idea to those important people...

Sincerely, Scott Thomason

Scott has contacted the center with his idea.

He wrote to the Center: "I believe that the educational benefits for kids (and grownups) to see actual aircraft arrive, depart, and plan flights would be very appropriate to the education mission of the Smithsonian NASM. The opportunity for kids to talk to actual pilots and observe their actions is becoming increasingly rare in these days of high security and the closing of small airports. The experience, generosity, and knowledge of general aviation pilots would definitely be an asset to the institution and the visitor experience.

"I also think that it would be in the spirit of the Wright Brothers to allow the periodic showing/exhibition of the newest experimental and amateur-built aircraft designs. Many hours of design and self-education go into these aircraft and are the epitome of the American can-do spirit and adventure that typify so many of the aircraft that will reside within the halls of the new facility. The ability to fly to the  new museum would facilitate these exhibitions, and would probably result in many informal presentations as pilots fly in from around the country and are greeted by curious onlookers as they arrive."

...and they wrote back

Here's part of the reply he received, from Karen DeThomas at Udvar-Hazy: "Thank you for your interest in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Unfortunately, there is no taxiway access between Dulles International Airport and the Center which will open on December 15, 2003."

Well, what do you think?

FMI: http://nasm.si.edu; email: gafornasm@bellsouth.net