What’s Up
2-5-2024
Suggested Banner: Now That's More Like It
A perfect week of flying weather encouraged airplane owners
to drag out the bird and take it up. Every day saw visitors coming and going at
Butler aerodrome, and most of the hangar residents took advantage of the
wide-open conditions. One pilot asked advice on planning a flight to Kansas
City Downtown airport; “Not much planning needed,” I responded, pointing to the
skyscrapers looming on the horizon 50 miles away. “Just aim to the left of those
buildings.”
Among the week's transient arrivals were a refueling RV-10
homebuilt four-seater and a Cessna Skyhawk gassing up, along with a brace of
Piper Archers, a Piper Tomahawk and a Piper Cherokee Six. Mike Golden flew down
from New Century in his Cessna Turbo Centurion.
From the local hangars, Les Gorden had his Piper Twin
Comanche and Beech Bonanza F35 out, Randy Miller flew some practice in a Cessna
150, Jon Laughlin retrieved his Piper Cherokee 180C, Jim and Danny Ferguson
flew the family Cessna Skylane, Roy Conley levitated in his Grumman Tr2, Eric
Eastland exercised his Cessna Skyhawk and Christian Tucker took the Mooney
M-20C up.
The high-roller fans flying their private planes into Las
Vegas for the Super Bowl this weekend are paying dearly for the privilege. Not
only do you need an airspace reservation time slot from the FAA, the City of
Lost Wages wants a $750 to $3000 fee to use its satellite airports, and then
the Fixed Base Operators charge for parking on their ramp space. A Cessna Skyhawk
pays $2175 to park for the event, and a private jet will be charged up to
$14,729. Half the airplane spaces are filled up by companies supporting the
game, like sponsors, network producers, team associates and family members, and
VIPs. It's not for the common person.
With all the talk of building a new ball stadium in the
middle of Kansas City, I wonder if anyone has considered the impact it would
have on Downtown airport? The Homeland Security Department has this pointless
rule forbidding air traffic within three miles of a stadium that seats 30,000
or more, from an hour before to an hour after any event. As if establishing a
no-fly zone really deters a dedicated terrorist. Anyhow, if the planners aren't
careful a downtown-sited sports facility could really disrupt goings and
comings at old MKC. It's bad enough having to dodge games at the present
outlying Sports Complex.
The weekly quiz from last time wanted to know, “what's a
'Category III' approach and landing?” It's a special landing procedure to allow
an arrival in really bad weather. Category I requires more-or-less normal
200-foot cloud ceilings, Category II needs 100-foot, and Category III has no
ceiling requirement at all. Special equipment and training are needed. For next time, what color are the runway
lights at our airport, as seen rolling down the centerline? You can send your
answers to [email protected].
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