The 3 day "Visitor waiver pass" has a list of driving rules, sensible ones
too, with some insight as to the particular safety issues at Minden (I
helped write them). It also has a "tear-off and turn-in" for you to sign
with your insurance and license info.

This 3-day waiver was in response to our complaints (the runway crossing
safety workgroup) that their rule would prohibit weekend visiting pilots
from operating at Minden. (Note that they originally included banning even
pushing your glider by hand onto the runway without taking the test. This we
have that part stricken, but it may come back.)

Bottom line: Can you imagine the hassle it would be for a pilot on vacation
or safari visiting airports across the county if he had to take a site
specific test for each? The training required of pilots to operate on and
across airport runways is included in the FAA test standards. It is not, IMO
the purview of individual airports to test pilots.

bumper

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Nov 6, 12:41 pm, "bumper" wrote:
I've served on the Minden Airport Advisory Committee for 3 years now,
representing the soaring community. It's been one fight after another.
This
time airport management is proposing to change the airport rules to
require
all vehicle operators (golf carts etc) to pass a written test and be
issued
a card to wear around their neck before being allowed to cross the
runway,
towing a glider or otherwise.

This is certainly a good thing, and needed for safety, for non-pilots and
employees of airport businesses. However, for pilots, who obviously
already
have the training and know how to operate upon and across runways, I see
this as unnecessary and potentially injurious to soaring here. It's one
more
hurdle for visiting pilots and one more reason for them to go elsewhere
to
avoid the hassle. (note that they will have a 3-day waiver pass that will
allow one visit without taking their test).

Consider what would happen if every soaring airport across the country
had
their own required test. It's about as ludicrous as every community
requiring extra driver training before you can drive through their town.

If you feel as I do, please send me a short private email - - include
your
name and home town. If this proposed rule would lessen the likelihood
you'd
visit Minden - - include that.

I will present the emails to the Douglas Board of County Commissioners.
They
have previously voted a resolution stating that they care about and want
to
promote soaring here, let's hold them to it!

email to

bumperm "at" att "dot" net

thanks for helping,

bumper
ZZ Minden

I must be misreading this. They are going to allow a 3 day one time
waiver and then next time you must take a test to prove you know what
your doing? What about the first time?