Never to Return? 

Most of the pilots who were trapped by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's midnight raid to destroy Merrill C. Meigs Field plan to make their escape today.

Meanwhile, the timing of the closure is looking even more suspicious. According to a report published in this morning's Chicago Tribune, airport workers were instructed by their city bosses to secretly count the number and note the size and type of aircraft parked at the airport each night last week. According to the Tribune report, "That may have been to help ensure that there were no larger private planes, such as a King Air business jet [sic], stuck on the field when six giant 'X' marks were carved into the runway using construction equipment."

"The depths of Daley's conniving continue to astound me," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Has the man no shame?"

AOPA spent most of Tuesday, acting as a conduit between all the different factions, helping pilots with aircraft performance data the FAA and city aviation officials wanted, and making sure all parties had the latest accurate information.

The FAA has issued a local NOTAM that authorizes the use of the 3,100-foot taxiway at Meigs as a runway for departures only. Most of the 16 trapped pilots attended a briefing on departure procedures this morning and are expected to depart as soon as possible. City aviation officials and the FAA have been unable to contact the pilots of the remaining aircraft to inform them of the departure plan and are expected to make arrangements for their departure as they are contacted.

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.ci.chi.il.us/Mayor