Minden - help!

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