They Defend Experimental Aviation In Wake Of Fatal Mishap

Homebuilt aircraft date back to the very first plane, built by Orville and Wilbur Wright. That's the word from pilots in Fitchburg (MA), on the heels of a fatal accident involving a homebuilt Zenith aircraft last week. Pilot Charles Schwartz was killed when the aircraft plowed into a machine shop near the airport on Tuesday.

After an article slamming homebuilt aircraft appeared in the Fitchburg (MA) Sentinel-Enterprise, local pilots were quick to speak up.

"The fact is, just because it's home-built doesn't mean it doesn't have to satisfy standards," Marlborough Airport Manager Bob Stetson told the paper. "Before it can be flown it has to be inspected by the FAA... and be signed off as being ready for flight."

AOPA VP Jeff Myers agreed. "The fact of the matter is they don't weigh much, they don't go very fast. It's pretty hard to get into trouble in one. Of course, it can happen."

But the Sentinel-Enterprise continued its anti-experimental rant in Sunday's editorials, saying, "common sense tells you it is only a matter of time before another plane crashes into a building and more than just the pilot and passengers are killed.... Unfortunately for everyone who lives and works around the airport -- and that includes thousands of people -- when a pilot makes an error he puts everyone around the airport in harm's way."

The editorial went on to say, "It's just one man's opinion, but I think it's time to close the airport. The risks no longer justify the benefits."

FMI: www.sentinelandenterprise.com