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.”
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]