Fri, Sep 23, 2011
Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO): "Air Shows Are Among The Safest"
Events
By any estimation, it has been a difficult summer in the air
show business. But U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO), Co-Chair of
the House Aviation Caucus, has come out strongly against any new
regulations for air shows in the wake of recent tragedies in
Selfridge, MI, Reno, NV, and Martinsburg, WV. He issued a statement
Thursday responding to calls to examine whether more regulations
are needed for air shows.
“Within the past month, the aviation community has seen
several accidents that have led to the deaths of veteran pilots and
spectators. Every loss of life is a tragedy, and we grieve for
those who have lost their lives or have been injured,' Graves said.
"However, just as surely as night follows day, there will be claims
that more regulations are needed for air shows. Simply put, they
are not.
"As a licensed pilot and aviation enthusiast who flies vintage
aircraft in air shows, I can tell you that every pilot knows the
risks every time they slide into a cockpit. Flying a vintage
airplane, or any airplane, comes with the same risks as simply
driving to work. In fact, air shows, which are different than air
races, are among the safest of any event you can attend. There
hasn’t been a spectator fatality at an air show in more than
60 years.
"We all support common sense regulations. However, I urge my
colleagues to avoid the typical knee-jerk, federal government
stampede to regulate general aviation simply because they are in
the news this week.”
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