One giant step closer was made yesterday.
Greetings to all,
Just an update for those still interested. Our patience was rewarded yesterday, and an FAA agent from Flight Standards out of Washington DC came to the Laconia Municipal Airport and conducted a legitimate safety audit. In attendance were the Portland FSDO, the NHDOT Aeronautical Department, the local FAA Airport Division, the Laconia airport manager, a member of the LAA airport authority, the Laconia airport's legal council, owners of both FBOs, the Director of Government Relations for USPA and of course Mary and I.
Throughout the 3 hour meeting, it was made crystal clear to all in attendance by the FAA rep from Washington, that skydiving has a rightful place on municipal airports such as LCI and that the role of the airport sponsor is to promote all aeronautical activities, including skydiving. This point was emphasized throughout the entire proceedings.
I don't think we will ever win over a handful of certain local residents......but for those of whom that play any role in the airport's compliance requirements, atleast it was made clear yesterday that the FAA in Washington has an expectation that we will all work together to promote the airport and all aeronautical activities available to it.
Stay tuned........
Blue skies to all and to all a good flight,
Tom
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