For my aviation friends... What follows is a letter I sent to AOPA President Mark Baker this evening via email. I wanted my aviation friends to read it. Just so you all know what is going on. This statement is my own. It was not solicited by, nor does it intend to represent the opinion of, the owners/operators of Sonoma Valley Airport. Although I think they are of basically the same opinion... To: [email protected] Mr. Baker, As I write this, tommorow afternoon (24 October) the owners of Sonoma Valley Airport (0Q3) will be engaged with the Sonoma County Government in yet another chapter in the efforts to save their public use airport. Sonoma County has allowed an airport neighbor to build next door to the airport what the California Dept of Transportation and the ALUC (Airport Land Use Commission) have both declared incompatible to airport operations/safety. It is my understanding that CalTrans and the ALUC are both going to appear at the meeting. Also, all the appropriate letters of protest have been delivered. The airport neighbor, after having built their development without proper permit, are now using political pressure and most likely a good amount of $$$ to slander the airport, pay their fines, and curry favor with local politicians. It is out of town money run amok. AOPA may not have much concern about a small country airport with relatively few airplanes. In fact, based on all I have been able to gather, AOPA has done little to support Sonoma Valley Airport. Yet, the implications of a decision against Sonoma Valley Airport and for the developer/neighbor could set precident that will affect other airports across the country. If others who wish to take down airports for their own desires learn of how an out-of-towner moved next door to an airport that had been in existence since the 1940s and effectively had it closed at his pleasure, the consquences to general aviation would be significant. So please reach-out to the owners of Sonoma Valley Airport. Ask them what you can do to help. Bring all the power of your organization to bear. Help avoid a precident setting event that will have an eventual negative impact on many of your members. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Denis M. Arbeau Napa, CA AOPA 472344
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 02:36:27 +0000
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