Comments on: Heading to the most challenging airport

By: Al Marsh

Al Marsh — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:15:01 +0000

Glen,
You have shamed me into ending the tease. The airport chosen as most challenging is Glenwood Springs, Colo. Since Aspen got LOTS of votes I did some extra flying there, too, to experience the problems. On the way back I stopped at Leadville and took a shot or two. They are busting with pride over a new terminal building. Leadville has clear approaches at both ends so I didn’t include Leadville even though it got many votes. Bell Helicopter was there testing new STCs for one of their models. I’ll say something here that is probably too controversial for the actual article. The management at Aspen virtually demanded that their airport not be included in the article. However, at least 30 members mentioned it, and it is a member-driven article. Jet pilots from Netjets and XOJets that I met at a restaurant and my hotel said it was challenging. The FBO owner thinks it is very challenging and mentioned several accidents related to mountain flying, more than Aspen itself. All the FAA controllers and one FAA management person said it was challenging. So I think the Aspen airport management is kind of outvoted on this one. Still, they refused me a pass to take pictures on the airport (I stood outside the fence expect when I was flying a Cessna 172 with instructor Gary Kraft who teaches mountain flying), and declined an interview, because they were sure my article would be about “scariest airports,” and insisted that if I said anything bad, it would be, “…picked up by Associated Press.” I tried to explain that in 20 years AP has never picked up a story from “AOPA Pilot.” The manager insisted his knowledge of what AP does was superior to mine, and we parted friends.

By: Al Marsh

Al Marsh — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:03:43 +0000

Marty,
The airport in Mass. where I had lunch was Barnes at Westfield. Great people at a great restaurant.

By: Sam Beale

Sam Beale — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:41:36 +0000

Since your current destination is Denver, why am I thinking Leadville?

While on the subject of spelling, let’s don’t miss hassel, and let’s remember that there are two spaces after the period at the end of each sentence, not just one. Also assume you really meant to say that Barnes Municipal “is the airport to which I referred.”

Great idea on recruiting pilots in the TSA line. If you could speak to them while they were being groped, the success rate should be even higher.

By: Glen Cunningham

Glen Cunningham — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:15:32 +0000

I came here to find out what is ‘the most challenging airport’ since the title of this is ‘Heading to the most challenging airport’. But there is no mention of a challening airport and why it is a challenge. I already know why it’s better to fly GA than the airlines.

This is why I rarely read websites—-big come on, little payoff. You should consider making your lead-ins represent the article.

By: Al Marsh

Al Marsh — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:15:28 +0000

Hi, Marty. No deadline. You missed my misspelling of “aisle” too, but I don’t fault you for that. I know you are busy. Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield, Mass., is the airport to which I referred. I think we should recruit new pilots in the TSA line at major airports. Just ask, “So…how’s your day going?”

By: Marty Weiss

Marty Weiss — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:39:45 +0000

Agreed…and dont let those “perfect” pilots who cite your failure to spell check “Charokee” get you down. I understand deadlines too. Which airport were you referring to in Massachusetts? If not Southbridge (3B0) and I have a sneaking suspicion it was, then try Jim’s Fly-In Diner next time you are up in our neck of the woods.