| First Crested Butte
Airport Fly-in A Great Success! |
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The Open House and Fly-in held Saturday, August 25, 2001, was a tremendous
success! Over 50 aircraft flew-in for the event, from locations all
over the State of Colorado and from numerous states, including Utah,
Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Indiana and Texas. |
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An estimated 300 participants safely (and responsibly) shared the spirit and
joy of General and Sport Aviation. In addition, more than 20 young
enthusiasts were able to fly in the EAA Aviation Foundation’s Young
Eagles Program. |
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"Where else is a better place to present a Safety Seminar on Density Altitude than at
the Crested Butte Airport (elevation 8,980 Ft. MSL)" asked John
Cameron, a FAA Safety Counselor and former DC-8 instructor for United
Airlines. |
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Display aircraft included a state-of-the-art Pilatus PC-12, a beautifully restored
Boeing Stearman, a DeHavilland Beaver, an Aerospatiale Alouette 2 high
altitude rescue helicopter, and a Eurocopter Ecureuil AS-350 Ambulance
Helicopter. |
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Also on hand were homebuilt biplanes and monoplanes and a plethora of classic
(and new) Beechcraft, Cessna, Piper, Mooney and other aircraft. |
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The day was filled with educational and FAA Wings Safety Seminars, country
music by Bill Woods and snacks, including grilled salmon and
couscous. |
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During the Wings Safety Program, Denver FAA Manager Monty Taylor stressed the
prerequisites of safe mountain flying and how the runway length
requirements increase with elevation.
"Medical evacuation aircraft and fire bombers would need all of the runway . .
." Said Mark Hawkins who flew his Cessna Skywagon from Mesa, Arizona.
"It is a great airport and deserves support from the community"
said Ken Snow from Boulder. In addition, numerous pilots were pleased to
learn that there are no landing fees, contrary to misinformation that has
been circulating. "I thought the CB airport was private use only
and the public was not welcome" said Joel Kiester from
Westcliffe.
Our goal is to educate our neighbors in the Gunnison County, Colorado regarding the
economic, recreational and medical airlift benefits of a local airport, and to broaden
support for our battle to protect the airport from closure (and/or an unsafe shortening
of the runway) by a real estate developer who surprisingly secured the help and assistance
of the Gunnison Board of County Commissioners (several expensive lawsuits are pending).
Note that until the last day prior the fly-in, the real estate developer tried to
convince the FAA to cancel the event and in his own words to "instead
redirect the airplanes to the Gunnison airport". The County also tried to jeopardize
the fly-in by imposing a last minute special permit that could have been denied.
In the end the FAA refused to listen to the unscrupulous developer and the County
relinquished its demand for a special permit.
The Friends Of The Crested Butte Airport and the "Crested Butte Falcons",
Chapter 881 of the EAA plan to organize more Fly-ins and educational programs at the
airport. Please stay tuned and support the airport now ! Thank you.
A special thank you to the following persons and organizations for their
support,
EAA, Allen Bailey, Alternative Sports, Angel Flight America, Anne Ash,
Asphalt Maintenance Co, Avion Park LLC, Bill Lacy, Bill Tintera Sign Post,
Bob Bathje and Family, Bob Bunderson, Bob Coleman, Brent Waite, Esq.,
Carol Dussault and Family, CB Electrical, Crested Butte EMS, Donald Perkins,
Dr. Dean Hall, Dr. Thomas P. Moore, Federal Aviation Administration,
Flight For Life, friendsofmeigs.org, Fullmer's ACE Hardware, Global Shelters
WeatherPORT, Hank Seeberg, Hernan Posnansky, Idaho Aviation Association,
J. R. Renfrow, Esq., Jay Jaynes, Jerry Deverell, Jerry Jones, Joe Dixon,
John and Marlene Cameron, John Fashing, Joseph Matyk, JR Fullmer, Kelly Coughlin,
Kent Roedder, Lacy Construction, Laura Bray, Lyn Von Bibra, Marco Celli,
Marc's Auto, Mark Emmer, Mark Hawkins, Mary Kay Falkner, Monty Taylor,
Morrill Griffith, Mt. Cavalry Lutheran Church, Mountain Valley Distributors,
mountainflying.org, Pat Wiesner, remove, Pete Cordova, Esq.,
Pilatus Business Aircraft, R&R Precision Machining, Randy Schneider,
Ray Speciale, Esq., Ron Rouse, Roseann Dreasher, Schmalz's Port-O-Let,
Shock Therapy, Sparky Imeson, Sun Sports, St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital,
Stanley Koehler, Steven G. Whitney, Stephanie Smith and Family,
Stephen Mathis, Esq., Stuart Anderson, Esq., TGA Web Design, Thomas Bosshard,
Timberline Mechanical, Troy Toelle,
and the many other volunteers and contributors too numerous to mention. |
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