I'm not going to get involved in politics here, especially since we
probably agree more than disagree. BZN is getting the radar, like it or
not. Ten years ago it was an uncontrolled airport. It sure shouldn't be
uncontrolled now. Ten years in the future it could very well be Class
C.

The current situation at BZN - one in, one out - isn't working well.
You're right. And, I could tell my own stories about flying in and out
of BZN, but there's no point.

Anyway, perhaps we'll hook up some time. We travel to many of the
fly-ins in Montana during the summer, and I'll look for a V-tail. Take
care, my friend.

--Walt


Newps wrote:
Walt wrote:

That's interesting. I'm familiar with Ameriflight but don't know any of
the pilots.

I don't think the "City Fathers" have much to do with the radar that is
being installed at Gallatin Field.


They have everything to do with it. BZN does not qualify for radar but
the airport authority said we'll pay for it. So you're getting one.
Now who ever pays for it it doesn't matter. What you need to make sure
of as a user is that an approach control runs your airspace, not Salt
Lake Center. If Salt Lake runs the airspace, as they do now, nothing
will change. It's one in or one out. If we here in Billings run it we
will be able to use approach control rules, much more efficient use of
the airspace for you folks. Tell everybody you run into.






I know the controllers at Gallatin Field; some personally, others
because I talk to'em when I fly. To say they are "the worst" is a bit
of a stretch.

I didn't say that but a regular user did. I've flown in there several
times and the stuff they do makes me shake my head. They are not very
good at controlling a pattern. A King Air comes over the mountains from
Livingston and you are landing to the west and the controllers make
every one follow the King Air. Terribly inefficient.






If you fly out of BIL then we are, in Montana, neighbors. We'll have to
hook up some time.


Stop by for a tour at the new tower and see what Conrad got us.
Otherwise head for the mountains and dirt strips and look for the V
Tail, that's me.