Our Own Worst Enemy

Robert Eilers · Post by **Robert Eilers** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:47 pm

My local airport is probably a lot like many across the country. However, California is always just a little different. Like most local airports on the Pacific-side of the Rockies, hangar space is becoming a premium - especially if the airport is any where near a large metropolitan area. For us it is San Francisco.

I have been involved in aviation privately and professionally for over forty two years. I have always enjoyed the company of other pilots - they tended to be ethical, independent, self reliant and nieghborly. However, as the area surrounding the airport builds up and evolves from rural to suburban to urban and the average annual incomes head for the sky, the nature of the pilots I encounter has changed.

Lately, the airport seems to have become "yuppified". A great many of the pilots I encounter lately at the airport tend to be selfish, rude and self involved. Over the past few weeks I watched as several so-called War Bird pilots tried to strong arm the airport manager into evicting a fellow pilot from the large hangar he has occupied for over ten years - just to make room for more of their War Bird Buddies. We are also seeing an increase in corporate aircraft all looking for hangar space and willing to push to get what they want. I would hate to see my little airport go the way of Carlsbad's McClellan-Palomar airport where Corporate aircraft have taken over the field. I suppose progress can not be stopped and change is always associated with progress. I just hate to see the nature and character of pilots change to reflect modern trends in society, rather than continue as the stalwart stand-outs I am familiar with refusing to conform.

thammer · Post by **thammer** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:01 pm

Do you have a Pilots Association at your airport? I recently moved onto Kenosha Airport and joined the Kenosha Pilots Association. History has it that at one time there was pretty poor airport management, heavy handed etc. The association formed and over some period of time was successful in changing things. Today Kenosha is a great airport, good management, good people and a nice place to fly. We've got corp jets, helicopters, war birds and a bunch of biplanes and other tail draggers.

An association may not solve your airports ills and it's certainly not an over night thing, but it might help.

There's a nice 170 A or B, white with blue trim parked out in front of the terminal. Been there for a couple weeks now.

tye

c170b53 · Post by **c170b53** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:29 pm

Its a money thing everytime. I have an older BMW motorcycle (the real pink drum beating bunny). I can't go to the local BMW store because my part requirements are low and not as expensive as the new bikes. They don't even want to see my bike in front of their store. Some how city adminstrations (a new batch with each election) want their airports to make alot of money. I'm just a poor boy, hooked on a more expensive type of crack, I try to lower my costs as much as possible. Although I'd like to think of myself as a classic like my bike and airplane, the city doesn't think much of me but rather its all about them.

Post by **GAHorn** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:44 pm

Jim! How is it that you and I never discussed old BMW motorcycles?
My brother bought a 1951 horizontal-twin BMW in Munich when he toured Europe in the mid-60's. He shipped it back home and we kept it in the family! It's a great bike!
Exposed driveshaft and dual seats. Low-slung, long, and a great ride! (6-volt generator was a pain to repair and regulate, but otherwise....a great motorcycle.)
I'd love to find an original side-car for it.

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 7:29 pm

gahorn wrote:Jim! How is it that you and I never discussed old BMW motorcycles?

Could it be because this is a CESSNA 170 forum?

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:26 am

N9149A wrote:
gahorn wrote:Jim! How is it that you and I never discussed old BMW motorcycles?
Could it be because this is a CESSNA 170 forum?

This is a Cessna 170 enthusiast's forum. The reason we like 170's is the same reason we like old motorcyles, old whiskey, and young women. We've got fantasies!

jrenwick · Post by **jrenwick** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:21 am

gahorn wrote:...The reason we like 170's is the same reason we like old motorcyles, old whiskey, and young women. We've got fantasies!

If my memory of the Sesame Street my kids once watched doesn't fail me:

One of these things is not like the other ones,
Two of these things are kinda the same....

John

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:26 am

jrenwick wrote:
gahorn wrote:...The reason we like 170's is the same reason we like old motorcyles, old whiskey, and young women. We've got fantasies!
If my memory of the Sesame Street my kids once watched doesn't fail me:

One of these things is not like the other ones,
Two of these things are kinda the same....

John

Yeah, you're right. The airplanes and the women are very expensive. We should all stick with old motorcycles!

jrenwick · Post by **jrenwick** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:34 am

Hee hee!

dacker · Post by **dacker** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:15 pm

Somebody talking about MMO?

David

lowNslow · Post by **lowNslow** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:36 pm

gahorn wrote: We should all stick with old motorcycles!

Huh? Have you seen the prices for old "motor AND sickles" parts online lately?

jon s blocker · Post by **jon s blocker** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:45 pm

Robert, I agree with your original thread. Down here in south Texas we have alot of younger jet jockeys who seem to have that attitude. Also seems that those younger pilots lack alot of the skills the older pilots have. (stick and rudder skills), granted I don't fly by wire very well. Seems like they were brought up on simulators and lack the personal interaction with the older pilots that used to part of the privilege of becoming a pilot. Jon