"I've never been so let down in my life." Those words from a bemused John Trissel, manager of the Eagles Nest flying community outside of Waynesboro (VA) -- the man who was quoted in the much-ballyhooed CBS story slamming GA security last week. Trissel estimates he's received some 200 flaming emails from pilots and aviation enthusiasts, slamming him for his interview. They say things like, "With promoters like John Trissel in the industry, we won't have general aviation in a few years." Or, "It was an incredibly stupid move. You might want to practice for your next career." The truth is, John Trissel is as upset as everyone else about the way the CBS story treated general aviation. Only he's more upset than most. He says CBS took his interview out of context.

The NTSB is investigating Saturday's crash of a Cessna 182A (file photo of type, right) near Hays (NC). Of the four people on board, the 70-year old pilot was killed. The other three were injured.

From everything ANN has been told by those involved, CBS News did a real hatchet job on general aviation by taking at least one of the principle interviewees out of context and making a story out of half-truths and misconceptions. So what else is new, right? That's not exactly the point, however, and it behooves those of us who are in aviation to not only point out the mistakes, but to understand what happened and to do a better job of seeing that it doesn't happen again.

One person is dead after a Cessna 150 collided with a Piper Comanche at Clearwater AirPark (FL) Saturday. The wreckage of the Cessna impacted the Earth just 20 feet or so from a crowd of children and adults. No one on the ground was injured. The Comanche, registered to 77-year old John W. Collins of Lakeland, flew to Winter Haven (FL). No one on board that aircraft was injured.

(Readers Fred W. Scott, Jr. and Jeff Bertsch rework the CBS story with a few tongue-in-cheek twists. What's scary is: It makes more sense than suggesting that general aviation is a threat to national security. Think about it... ed.) They are everywhere in our fast paced, consumer economy, but are they safe?... large Sport Utility Vehicles driven by small innocent-looking women. "Every major school building has a paved street right next to it," says Lisa Tutor, a New Jersey school teacher, whose responsibilities include welcoming students being driven to school by their parents. "These streets lead to private garages where all sorts of evil could be perpetrated behind closed doors"

Welcome (NOT) To Our Nation's Capitol NOTAM: 4/0413 Issued: 01/16/2004 15:24 Effective: 01/21/2004 01:00 - 01/21/2004 04:30 State: WA Facility: ZDC - WASHINGTON (ARTCC),DC. Type: VIP Description: FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 20, 2004 LOCAL

Here's a transcript of the CBS report sent to us from a source inside the network: 2ORR/FLYNN/LANDERS GENERAL AVIATION SECURITY EVE NEWS 1/14/04) > >(NAT SOT T2/2225) "There were 22 lots for sale" > >(NARR:) THEY ARE A SOARING REAL ESTATE TREND... > > (NAT SOT T2/2233) "We have just 3 left..." > >(NAT SOT T1/2335 Rick taxies) > >(NARR:) AIR PARKS. "FLY-IN" COMMUNITIES CALLED AIR PARKS. > >(SOT/ T2/4245 LESLEY HOCK-Eagle's Nest Air Park Realtor) > >(V/O taxi) "Every house has a paved taxiway to the runway...." > >(NARR:) AMENITIES INCLUDE YOUR VERY OWN COMMUNITY AIR STRIP... > > > >(V/O T1/2620 plane heads toward hanger) > >(NARR :) YOUR OWN PERSONAL HANGER > &

TFR Issued For Area Near Prison Riot NOTAM: 4/0446 Issued: 01/18/2004 16:46 Effective: Immediately - Until Further Notice State: AZ Facility: ZAB - ALBUQUERQUE (ARTCC),NM. Type: HAZARDS Description: LEWIS STATE PRISON, AZ.