Portland International Airport (KPDX), Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. - A YouTube video shows police officers shocking a man with a taser at Portland International Airport on June 21.
Port of Portland police said 25-year-old Tejawn Edwards of Henderson,
Nev., was one of three people who were visibly intoxicated and weren’t
allowed to board their Spirit Airlines flight.
Police said Edwards became hostile, threatening to kill them and throwing punches, so an officer fired a Taser to contain him.
Edwards was charged with trespassing, resisting arrest and attempted
assault of a public safety officer and taken to the Multnomah County
jail.
Warning: There's a bit of foul language.
Story and Video: http://www.kboi2.com
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Shirley residents fight for trees near airport
Brookhaven Airport (KHWV), Shirley, New York
Town officials are conducting an environmental review of a proposal to remove or trim acres of trees around Brookhaven Calabro Airport, a deforestation project some neighbors say is not needed.
"It's not a necessary tree removal," said Ray Keenan of the Manor Park Civic Association, who lives near the 3-acre area the Federal Aviation Administration has recommended for tree removal. Another 4 acres is recommended for topping, or pruning, of trees, according to town Councilman Dan Panico's office, though Keenan believes up to 7 acres may be topped.
"It's unprecedented that they will be removing up to people's houses," said Keenan, who won lawsuits in 2010 and 2011 challenging Brookhaven on the tree removal because the town did not do a mandatory environmental review. "None of this is required."
Because of the legal challenges, town officials announced recently that the planning department is conducting an environmental impact review of the FAA project.
Panico said the tree-trimming project has been scaled back from 19 acres of clearing and topping; but the FAA recommended the project as necessary for safety.
"The FAA regularly does flyovers at airports, and Calabro has an instrument-landing system," he said. "When planes come in for approach for landing, the system guides them to land safely. What interferes with that signal are obstructions between the transponder and the plane, and the trees have grown over the years."
Panico said he hopes the community accepts his proposed compromise, to replant 750 trees at the site, "and if they're kept pruned and trimmed, they won't be totally removed. Safety is the number one concern," he said. "Trimming the trees actually makes the airport safer. I think it's important that everyone understands that we don't support the wholesale removal of the trees."
But Keenan said the community's opposition to the tree trimming and clearing is "not only the visual element; but the trees protect the residents from aircraft."
He pointed to the August fatal crash of a small plane near the airport that killed the pilot and a passenger. "Last summer, the trees prevented the plane from hitting the houses," Keenan said.
Airport neighbors said the trees also block powerful winds, which can whip across the tarp. Winds out of the northeast sweep across hundreds of open acres, and "these are the last few trees here," Keenan said.
In a statement, FAA officials said that because Calabro receives federal funds, it must meet federal safety standards. "These obligations require them to maintain and operate their facilities safely and efficiently and in accordance with specified conditions," agency officials said.
The airport was awarded grants for obstruction removal in 2007 for $540,000 and in 2010 for $300,000, though the projects were put on hold after Keenan sued to halt the tree clearing.
Source: http://www.newsday.com
Town officials are conducting an environmental review of a proposal to remove or trim acres of trees around Brookhaven Calabro Airport, a deforestation project some neighbors say is not needed.
"It's not a necessary tree removal," said Ray Keenan of the Manor Park Civic Association, who lives near the 3-acre area the Federal Aviation Administration has recommended for tree removal. Another 4 acres is recommended for topping, or pruning, of trees, according to town Councilman Dan Panico's office, though Keenan believes up to 7 acres may be topped.
"It's unprecedented that they will be removing up to people's houses," said Keenan, who won lawsuits in 2010 and 2011 challenging Brookhaven on the tree removal because the town did not do a mandatory environmental review. "None of this is required."
Because of the legal challenges, town officials announced recently that the planning department is conducting an environmental impact review of the FAA project.
Panico said the tree-trimming project has been scaled back from 19 acres of clearing and topping; but the FAA recommended the project as necessary for safety.
"The FAA regularly does flyovers at airports, and Calabro has an instrument-landing system," he said. "When planes come in for approach for landing, the system guides them to land safely. What interferes with that signal are obstructions between the transponder and the plane, and the trees have grown over the years."
Panico said he hopes the community accepts his proposed compromise, to replant 750 trees at the site, "and if they're kept pruned and trimmed, they won't be totally removed. Safety is the number one concern," he said. "Trimming the trees actually makes the airport safer. I think it's important that everyone understands that we don't support the wholesale removal of the trees."
But Keenan said the community's opposition to the tree trimming and clearing is "not only the visual element; but the trees protect the residents from aircraft."
He pointed to the August fatal crash of a small plane near the airport that killed the pilot and a passenger. "Last summer, the trees prevented the plane from hitting the houses," Keenan said.
Airport neighbors said the trees also block powerful winds, which can whip across the tarp. Winds out of the northeast sweep across hundreds of open acres, and "these are the last few trees here," Keenan said.
In a statement, FAA officials said that because Calabro receives federal funds, it must meet federal safety standards. "These obligations require them to maintain and operate their facilities safely and efficiently and in accordance with specified conditions," agency officials said.
The airport was awarded grants for obstruction removal in 2007 for $540,000 and in 2010 for $300,000, though the projects were put on hold after Keenan sued to halt the tree clearing.
Source: http://www.newsday.com
NTSB Offers New Brochures for Aviation Accident Victims
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent
federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil
aviation accident in the United States and other significant transportation
accidents. The agency recently released three new brochures, two of
which will help accident victims and their families understand the
investigation process and other assistance and resources available to
them.
Source: http://nfda.org
- General Aviation Accident Investigations: Information for Families, Survivors, and Friends
- Information for Family and Friends: Major Accident Investigations
- Mass Fatality Incident Family Assistance Operations: Recommended Strategies for Local and State Agencies
Source: http://nfda.org
Columbia Police Department's next big thing could be a gyrocopter
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
When you hear the term gyrocopter, your mind might go to Mad Max Beyond
Thunderdome. That's not the case for Columbia Interim Police Chief
Ruben Santiago.
"We don't see it that way," said Santiago. "This is a very sophisticated, very high-tech piece of technology when it comes to the implementation of crime prevention."
Santiago wants one -- a Cavalon autogyro. It's a cross between plane and helicopter at a fraction of the cost. It can be outfitted with spolights, infrared night vision cameras, and take off and land with just 100 feet of space.
"This is a piece of equipment that costs us the same as two police cars and two officers, and you're talking about covering an area way more efficently and effectively than a police car could from a bird's eye view," said Santiago.
Santiago says he's seen one used by a department in Texas and says as Columbia grows, so does the department's need for some kind of presence in the air.
The Cavalon would cost around $100,000, paid for, Santiago says, by seizure money and law enforcement grants.
The department already has two pilots on staff who could be trained to fly it in 12 hours.
"On our stats, the only area that we're up in is auto break-ins," said Santiago. "To have an eye in the sky to look at parking lots and parking areas, specifically during special events and nighttime operations, it's going to go a long way."
Santiago says he's still working out the financials, but says city hall is behind him.
He says it's possible CPD could be airborne by the end of the year.
Story, Video, Photo: http://www.wistv.com
"We don't see it that way," said Santiago. "This is a very sophisticated, very high-tech piece of technology when it comes to the implementation of crime prevention."
Santiago wants one -- a Cavalon autogyro. It's a cross between plane and helicopter at a fraction of the cost. It can be outfitted with spolights, infrared night vision cameras, and take off and land with just 100 feet of space.
"This is a piece of equipment that costs us the same as two police cars and two officers, and you're talking about covering an area way more efficently and effectively than a police car could from a bird's eye view," said Santiago.
Santiago says he's seen one used by a department in Texas and says as Columbia grows, so does the department's need for some kind of presence in the air.
The Cavalon would cost around $100,000, paid for, Santiago says, by seizure money and law enforcement grants.
The department already has two pilots on staff who could be trained to fly it in 12 hours.
"On our stats, the only area that we're up in is auto break-ins," said Santiago. "To have an eye in the sky to look at parking lots and parking areas, specifically during special events and nighttime operations, it's going to go a long way."
Santiago says he's still working out the financials, but says city hall is behind him.
He says it's possible CPD could be airborne by the end of the year.
Story, Video, Photo: http://www.wistv.com
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Being Mourned
Williamsport Regional Airport (KIPT), Montoursville, Pennsylvania
The borough of Muncy is mourning a native son.
A state police sergeant stationed at a barracks in Cameron County and was on his way home Monday when authorities said he lost control of his car and crashed into a SUV.
There are heavy hearts in Montoursville and beyond following the death of State Police Sergeant John LaRose Monday afternoon.
The station commander was on his way home from the state police barracks in Cameron County, when troopers said the state car LaRose was driving slid on a wet Route 120 near Emporium and hit an oncoming SUV..
LaRose was a 22 year veteran of the state police and served with troopers at the Montoursville barracks, some who said the sergeant was “one of the finest people” they have ever known.
Before his death, folks at the Williamsport Regional Airport said that Larose was teaching his teenaged son how to fly. After all, Sergeant LaRose had flown a plane for the Pennsylvania State Police for more than a decade, before the aviation unit in Montoursville was closed last year.
“[It] would have forced John to drive back and forth to work or move, which he didn’t want to do. He built a house in Muncy, he elected to go back to the field,” said former state police helicopter pilot Dave Frey.
Frey remembers LaRose landing a state police plane years ago after the aircraft lost its engine.
“The only place he really had to land available to him was a farmer’s field that was crowned and on a hillside. People looked at it, how’d he do it? But he landed the aircraft without damage.”
LaRose was so much more than a state police trooper. According to people who knew him, he was as an engineer before joining law enforcement in 1991 and was a skilled woodworker.
Sergeant John LaRose was 50 years old.
He leaves behind a wife and four children.
Story and Video: http://wnep.com
The borough of Muncy is mourning a native son.
A state police sergeant stationed at a barracks in Cameron County and was on his way home Monday when authorities said he lost control of his car and crashed into a SUV.
There are heavy hearts in Montoursville and beyond following the death of State Police Sergeant John LaRose Monday afternoon.
The station commander was on his way home from the state police barracks in Cameron County, when troopers said the state car LaRose was driving slid on a wet Route 120 near Emporium and hit an oncoming SUV..
LaRose was a 22 year veteran of the state police and served with troopers at the Montoursville barracks, some who said the sergeant was “one of the finest people” they have ever known.
Before his death, folks at the Williamsport Regional Airport said that Larose was teaching his teenaged son how to fly. After all, Sergeant LaRose had flown a plane for the Pennsylvania State Police for more than a decade, before the aviation unit in Montoursville was closed last year.
“[It] would have forced John to drive back and forth to work or move, which he didn’t want to do. He built a house in Muncy, he elected to go back to the field,” said former state police helicopter pilot Dave Frey.
Frey remembers LaRose landing a state police plane years ago after the aircraft lost its engine.
“The only place he really had to land available to him was a farmer’s field that was crowned and on a hillside. People looked at it, how’d he do it? But he landed the aircraft without damage.”
LaRose was so much more than a state police trooper. According to people who knew him, he was as an engineer before joining law enforcement in 1991 and was a skilled woodworker.
Sergeant John LaRose was 50 years old.
He leaves behind a wife and four children.
Story and Video: http://wnep.com
Governor Appoints Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner for Magic Valley
BOISE – Gov. C.L. "Butch” Otter this afternoon announced the appointments of a south-central Idaho aviation company owner and a northern Idaho lumber company owner to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.
Mark Doerr of Kimberly, owner of Precision Aviation Inc. in Twin Falls, will represent Region 4, covering Magic Valley. Doerr, a pilot and flight instructor, succeeds Joan Hurlock of Buhl, who was appointed in June 2012. The Idaho Senate failed to confirm her last winter.
Doerr has a bachelor’s degree in aviation. He is active in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Idaho Aviation Association, said a press release from the governor's office.
“I do not enter the position with an agenda but rather to continue what I see as the quality stewardship and management of the state’s fish and game,” Doerr said in the release.
Brad Corkill, owner of Whiteman Lumber Co. in Cataldo, will represent the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Region 1 on the seven-member Fish and Game Commission. He succeeds Tony McDermott of Sagle, whose term expired June 30.
Story and Photo: http://magicvalley.com
Mark Doerr of Kimberly, owner of Precision Aviation Inc. in Twin Falls, will represent Region 4, covering Magic Valley. Doerr, a pilot and flight instructor, succeeds Joan Hurlock of Buhl, who was appointed in June 2012. The Idaho Senate failed to confirm her last winter.
Doerr has a bachelor’s degree in aviation. He is active in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Idaho Aviation Association, said a press release from the governor's office.
“I do not enter the position with an agenda but rather to continue what I see as the quality stewardship and management of the state’s fish and game,” Doerr said in the release.
Brad Corkill, owner of Whiteman Lumber Co. in Cataldo, will represent the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Region 1 on the seven-member Fish and Game Commission. He succeeds Tony McDermott of Sagle, whose term expired June 30.
Story and Photo: http://magicvalley.com
Air hostess alleges rape, says CEO lured her with job promise
A 26-year-old air hostess, who belongs to Mumbai, has registered a case of rape against the CEO of an investment banking firm in Mumbai alleging that the accused lured her on the pretext of marrying her and giving her a job.
The accused is yet to be arrested though a case under the relevant sections of the IPC has been registered at the Vasant Kunj North police station.
According to police, the accused is also a resident of Mumbai. Reportedly, the victim said that she earlier worked with Emirates airline in Dubai.
"In her statement, she claimed that three years ago, she met the accused at a function in Mumbai where the two befriended each other," a senior police officer said.
However, the woman alleged that the accused maintained physical relations with her on the pretext of giving her a good job and marrying her.
The victim alleged that the two came to Delhi in June for a holiday. Here, they stayed at a hotel in Vasant Kunj.
The victim said that he raped her several times following which the two returned to Mumbai. Once they reached Mumbai, the victim asked the accused to marry her and he refused, police said.
The victim approached the Vasant Kunj North police station last week and registered her complaint. Police said that a case under relevant sections has been registered and investigations are underway.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
The accused is yet to be arrested though a case under the relevant sections of the IPC has been registered at the Vasant Kunj North police station.
According to police, the accused is also a resident of Mumbai. Reportedly, the victim said that she earlier worked with Emirates airline in Dubai.
"In her statement, she claimed that three years ago, she met the accused at a function in Mumbai where the two befriended each other," a senior police officer said.
However, the woman alleged that the accused maintained physical relations with her on the pretext of giving her a good job and marrying her.
The victim alleged that the two came to Delhi in June for a holiday. Here, they stayed at a hotel in Vasant Kunj.
The victim said that he raped her several times following which the two returned to Mumbai. Once they reached Mumbai, the victim asked the accused to marry her and he refused, police said.
The victim approached the Vasant Kunj North police station last week and registered her complaint. Police said that a case under relevant sections has been registered and investigations are underway.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
Two injured in plane crash
Bridgeport Municipal Airport (KXBP), Texas
Two occupants of a plane suffered minor injuries after their aircraft crashed into a pasture north of the Bridgeport airport. The crash happened shortly before noon Tuesday when the plane went down for as of yet unknown reasons. The occupants were transported by ground to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur. More information will be posted as it’s available.
Two occupants of a plane suffered minor injuries after their aircraft crashed into a pasture north of the Bridgeport airport. The crash happened shortly before noon Tuesday when the plane went down for as of yet unknown reasons. The occupants were transported by ground to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur. More information will be posted as it’s available.
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, N3885M: Accident occurred June 30, 2013 in Talkeetna, Alaska
NTSB Identification: ANC13CA060
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, June 30, 2013 in Talkeetna, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/13/2013
Aircraft: PIPER PA-12, registration: N3885M
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot stated that he was en route to a remote cabin site, and he made a wrong turn into a box canyon. As he flew farther into the canyon, he had to initiate a climb to avoid rising terrain ahead, and the airplane subsequently climbed into an area of light rain, fog, and reduced visibility. He said that as he was attempting to turn the airplane around, the left wing impacted terrain, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airplane was equipped with a required emergency locator transmitter (ELT), however, it was an older generation ELT that transmitted only on 121.5 megahertz, not the newer, digital version that transmits on 406 megahertz.
As of February 2009, the search and rescue satellites that receive ELT signals no longer had the capability to receive the older analog 121.5 megahertz ELTs. The 406 megahertz ELTs are received within seconds of activation, and rescuers are notified within minutes of the accident location.
In this accident, the pilot and passenger were missing for approximately 24 hours before searchers were able to locate the wreckage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's loss of situational awareness, which resulted in a wrong turn into a box canyon, and an in flight collision with terrain.
The pilot stated that he was en route to a remote cabin site, and he made a wrong turn into a box canyon. As he flew farther into the canyon, he had to initiate a climb to avoid rising terrain ahead, and the airplane subsequently climbed into an area of light rain, fog, and reduced visibility. He said that as he was attempting to turn the airplane around, the left wing impacted terrain, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airplane was equipped with a required emergency locator transmitter (ELT), however, it was an older generation ELT that transmitted only on 121.5 megahertz, not the newer, digital version that transmits on 406 megahertz.
As of February 2009, the search and rescue satellites that receive ELT signals no longer had the capability to receive the older analog 121.5 megahertz ELTs. The 406 megahertz ELTs are received within seconds of activation, and rescuers are notified within minutes of the accident location.
In this accident, the pilot and passenger were missing for approximately 24 hours before searchers were able to locate the wreckage.
======
TALKEETNA, Alaska— Alaska State Troopers have identified two Washington men who were safely rescued near Talkeetna by the Alaska National Guard Monday evening, almost a day after their plane crashed.
According to a Tuesday AST dispatch, 67-year-old pilot William Gough and 65-year-old passenger Alan Thompson were the occupants of the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser plane which was located Monday near Iron Creek east of Talkeetna.
“Investigation revealed Gough and Thompson were en route to a hunting camp up the Talkeetna River on (Sunday evening) and crashed due to poor weather conditions and steep terrain,” troopers wrote. “Neither man was injured in the incident, however the mayday signal did not get picked up until nearly 24 hours later. The men were prepared for the weather and stayed at the crash site until their rescue.”
Alaska National Guard spokesperson Sgt. Edward Eagerton says in a Tuesday statement that an F-22 Raptor fighter pilot, returning from training at Eielson Air Force Base, told the 11th Air Force’s Rescue Coordination Center just after 1:30 p.m. Monday that he had heard a Mayday call but wasn’t able to get a radio response.
While RCC members weren’t immediately able to match the call to an overdue civilian or military aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Anchorage Center reported receiving a Mayday call at about 2:45 p.m., placing the crash near Deep Creek.
At about 3:45 p.m., an Alaska Air National Guard HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, just as an active-duty C-130 Hercules with JBER’s 537th Airlift Squadron picked up and monitored the 121.5 MHz ELT’s signal. The C-130 handed off the search -- hampered by communications difficulties in the area -- to the Pave Hawk and an HC-130 search plane, with the helicopter crew reporting at 6 p.m. that it had contacted Gough and Thompson, then dropping them off with Talkeetna troopers at 6:20 p.m.
“The pilot indicated he was intermittently switching on his 121.5 ELT, which is not something we recommend,” said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Carte, the RCC’s superintendent. “It’s important that pilots leave the ELT on so rescuers have a better chance at locating them. In the case of a 121.5 ELT, it can cause a significant delay when rescue aircraft don’t have a constant signal to focus on.”
Carte also notes delays in the rescue effort caused by the plane’s older 121.5 MHz model of ELT, which transmits radio signals to passing aircraft. Echoing comments on the Guard’s Sunday rescue of pilot Ron Brooks from a crash southwest of Fairbanks, Carte says a newer satellite-based 406 MHz transmitter would have offered faster, more reliable information to rescuers.
Troopers say the PA-12 received significant damage in the crash, which has been passed on to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board for investigation.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, June 30, 2013 in Talkeetna, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/13/2013
Aircraft: PIPER PA-12, registration: N3885M
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot stated that he was en route to a remote cabin site, and he made a wrong turn into a box canyon. As he flew farther into the canyon, he had to initiate a climb to avoid rising terrain ahead, and the airplane subsequently climbed into an area of light rain, fog, and reduced visibility. He said that as he was attempting to turn the airplane around, the left wing impacted terrain, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airplane was equipped with a required emergency locator transmitter (ELT), however, it was an older generation ELT that transmitted only on 121.5 megahertz, not the newer, digital version that transmits on 406 megahertz.
As of February 2009, the search and rescue satellites that receive ELT signals no longer had the capability to receive the older analog 121.5 megahertz ELTs. The 406 megahertz ELTs are received within seconds of activation, and rescuers are notified within minutes of the accident location.
In this accident, the pilot and passenger were missing for approximately 24 hours before searchers were able to locate the wreckage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's loss of situational awareness, which resulted in a wrong turn into a box canyon, and an in flight collision with terrain.
The pilot stated that he was en route to a remote cabin site, and he made a wrong turn into a box canyon. As he flew farther into the canyon, he had to initiate a climb to avoid rising terrain ahead, and the airplane subsequently climbed into an area of light rain, fog, and reduced visibility. He said that as he was attempting to turn the airplane around, the left wing impacted terrain, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airplane was equipped with a required emergency locator transmitter (ELT), however, it was an older generation ELT that transmitted only on 121.5 megahertz, not the newer, digital version that transmits on 406 megahertz.
As of February 2009, the search and rescue satellites that receive ELT signals no longer had the capability to receive the older analog 121.5 megahertz ELTs. The 406 megahertz ELTs are received within seconds of activation, and rescuers are notified within minutes of the accident location.
In this accident, the pilot and passenger were missing for approximately 24 hours before searchers were able to locate the wreckage.
======
TALKEETNA, Alaska— Alaska State Troopers have identified two Washington men who were safely rescued near Talkeetna by the Alaska National Guard Monday evening, almost a day after their plane crashed.
According to a Tuesday AST dispatch, 67-year-old pilot William Gough and 65-year-old passenger Alan Thompson were the occupants of the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser plane which was located Monday near Iron Creek east of Talkeetna.
“Investigation revealed Gough and Thompson were en route to a hunting camp up the Talkeetna River on (Sunday evening) and crashed due to poor weather conditions and steep terrain,” troopers wrote. “Neither man was injured in the incident, however the mayday signal did not get picked up until nearly 24 hours later. The men were prepared for the weather and stayed at the crash site until their rescue.”
Alaska National Guard spokesperson Sgt. Edward Eagerton says in a Tuesday statement that an F-22 Raptor fighter pilot, returning from training at Eielson Air Force Base, told the 11th Air Force’s Rescue Coordination Center just after 1:30 p.m. Monday that he had heard a Mayday call but wasn’t able to get a radio response.
While RCC members weren’t immediately able to match the call to an overdue civilian or military aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Anchorage Center reported receiving a Mayday call at about 2:45 p.m., placing the crash near Deep Creek.
At about 3:45 p.m., an Alaska Air National Guard HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, just as an active-duty C-130 Hercules with JBER’s 537th Airlift Squadron picked up and monitored the 121.5 MHz ELT’s signal. The C-130 handed off the search -- hampered by communications difficulties in the area -- to the Pave Hawk and an HC-130 search plane, with the helicopter crew reporting at 6 p.m. that it had contacted Gough and Thompson, then dropping them off with Talkeetna troopers at 6:20 p.m.
“The pilot indicated he was intermittently switching on his 121.5 ELT, which is not something we recommend,” said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Carte, the RCC’s superintendent. “It’s important that pilots leave the ELT on so rescuers have a better chance at locating them. In the case of a 121.5 ELT, it can cause a significant delay when rescue aircraft don’t have a constant signal to focus on.”
Carte also notes delays in the rescue effort caused by the plane’s older 121.5 MHz model of ELT, which transmits radio signals to passing aircraft. Echoing comments on the Guard’s Sunday rescue of pilot Ron Brooks from a crash southwest of Fairbanks, Carte says a newer satellite-based 406 MHz transmitter would have offered faster, more reliable information to rescuers.
Troopers say the PA-12 received significant damage in the crash, which has been passed on to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board for investigation.
Corporate Jet Solutions moving to Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport
BROOKSVILLE — After a turbulent ride, a Clearwater-based airplane maintenance company is set to be the newest tenant at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.
Representatives with Corporate Jet Solutions on Tuesday signed a 10-year lease for the former Brooksville Air Center site.
The company plans a flight school, expanded maintenance operations, a separate hangar for painting airplanes and customer services such as rental cars and hotel deals.
"We're very happy we've come to an agreement," said company vice president Bradley Dye. "Nothing worthwhile comes without effort."
The county-owned site includes a 20,000-square-foot hangar, an office building and a fuel depot. The deal also includes use of a 6,000-foot hangar in another part of the airport. The lease starts at $120,000 for the first year and increases annually with the Consumer Price Index, typically between 2 and 3 percent.
The lease deal has been controversial from the beginning because currently the airport has only one fixed-base operator, American Aviation, which has a monopoly on fuel sales.
Criticisms of Corporate Jet Solutions, American Aviation and the appointed Hernando County Aviation Authority have been flying throughout the discussion.
Both the authority and the commission approved the Corporate Jet Solutions lease last month and gave the company until July 5 to finalize the deal by providing several financial documents.
"They submitted the materials to meet the minimum standards we've all talked about," said county administrator Len Sossamon.
Bradley Dye said the company should be up and running next month. Within three years, he said, the center will employ between 40 and 50 people.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com
Representatives with Corporate Jet Solutions on Tuesday signed a 10-year lease for the former Brooksville Air Center site.
The company plans a flight school, expanded maintenance operations, a separate hangar for painting airplanes and customer services such as rental cars and hotel deals.
"We're very happy we've come to an agreement," said company vice president Bradley Dye. "Nothing worthwhile comes without effort."
The county-owned site includes a 20,000-square-foot hangar, an office building and a fuel depot. The deal also includes use of a 6,000-foot hangar in another part of the airport. The lease starts at $120,000 for the first year and increases annually with the Consumer Price Index, typically between 2 and 3 percent.
The lease deal has been controversial from the beginning because currently the airport has only one fixed-base operator, American Aviation, which has a monopoly on fuel sales.
Criticisms of Corporate Jet Solutions, American Aviation and the appointed Hernando County Aviation Authority have been flying throughout the discussion.
Both the authority and the commission approved the Corporate Jet Solutions lease last month and gave the company until July 5 to finalize the deal by providing several financial documents.
"They submitted the materials to meet the minimum standards we've all talked about," said county administrator Len Sossamon.
Bradley Dye said the company should be up and running next month. Within three years, he said, the center will employ between 40 and 50 people.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com
Bahamian Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright participates in aviation law virtual round table for up to 50,000 viewers
NASSAU, Bahamas -- Bahamian senior attorney and aviation expert Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright was selected as one of eight people from around the world to sit at a virtual round table, updating professionals and discussing legal, commercial and environmental issues related to aviation.
The Corporate LiveWire Round table: Aviation Law 2013 took place in real time late June but remains available online at http://www.corporatelivewire.com/round-tables.html?id=aviation-law-2013
"In our Aviation roundtable eight experts from around the world discussed the complexities of personal injury claims, environmental concerns and technological advances as well as providing an insurmountable insight into the impact of the latest legislative and regulatory changes and a glimpse into what the future may have in store," said Jake Powers of CorporateLivewire.com.
Experts addressed questions ranging from ash detection technology to personal injury cases -- a subject Boyer-Cartwright took the lead on with some 15,000 viewing live and up to 50,000 likely to visit over the month. According to organizers, the audience is made up of CEOs, CFOs, managing directors, directors of multi-national firms and corporate finance executives.
The former commercial pilot who took up law and holds a Master's degree in Aviation Science explained distinctions between aviation personal injury and other negligence or personal injury cases.
"In aviation personal injury claims the issues are usually complex; questions that arise are what caused the aviation accident, where did the accident occur, where is the aircraft registered, what are the nationalities of the victims? In some cases the responsible party may be the operator of the aircraft, the manufacturer of the aircraft, the owner or operator of the aircraft or the maintenance supplier or a combination thereof. The applicable laws will vary from state to state or country to country, depending on the nature of the accident a claim may be made, for example, in negligence or product liability, and can in some cases involve the Government. Various laws will apply, for example FARs, ICAO rules and regulations for contracting states, domestic or international civil aviation law (as the case may be), tort and product liability etc. The Montreal Convention, 1999 (formerly the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air) amended certain provisions of the Warsaw Convention regarding compensation for the victims of air disasters. The main purpose of the Montreal Convention was to amend liabilities to be paid to families for death or injury whilst on board an aircraft," said Boyer-Cartwright, a partner at Callenders law firm with offices in Nassau, Lyford Cay and Grand Bahama. "Victims and family members have the right to file a personal injury claim for compensation. Whatever the cause of an aviation accident/incident, negligence, pilot error, or mechanical defects, the airline, owner /operator, can be responsible for full liability."
Boyer-Cartwright, along with the Bahamas Financial Services Board, has been calling for the establishment of a Bahamas international aircraft registry similar to the Bahamas Maritime Authority, citing numerous spin-off benefits, including giving rise to an aviation industry in the country. Boyer-Cartwright has also been invited to address a major aviation conference in Aruba later this year.
Source: http://www.bahamaislandsinfo.com
The Corporate LiveWire Round table: Aviation Law 2013 took place in real time late June but remains available online at http://www.corporatelivewire.com/round-tables.html?id=aviation-law-2013
"In our Aviation roundtable eight experts from around the world discussed the complexities of personal injury claims, environmental concerns and technological advances as well as providing an insurmountable insight into the impact of the latest legislative and regulatory changes and a glimpse into what the future may have in store," said Jake Powers of CorporateLivewire.com.
Experts addressed questions ranging from ash detection technology to personal injury cases -- a subject Boyer-Cartwright took the lead on with some 15,000 viewing live and up to 50,000 likely to visit over the month. According to organizers, the audience is made up of CEOs, CFOs, managing directors, directors of multi-national firms and corporate finance executives.
The former commercial pilot who took up law and holds a Master's degree in Aviation Science explained distinctions between aviation personal injury and other negligence or personal injury cases.
"In aviation personal injury claims the issues are usually complex; questions that arise are what caused the aviation accident, where did the accident occur, where is the aircraft registered, what are the nationalities of the victims? In some cases the responsible party may be the operator of the aircraft, the manufacturer of the aircraft, the owner or operator of the aircraft or the maintenance supplier or a combination thereof. The applicable laws will vary from state to state or country to country, depending on the nature of the accident a claim may be made, for example, in negligence or product liability, and can in some cases involve the Government. Various laws will apply, for example FARs, ICAO rules and regulations for contracting states, domestic or international civil aviation law (as the case may be), tort and product liability etc. The Montreal Convention, 1999 (formerly the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air) amended certain provisions of the Warsaw Convention regarding compensation for the victims of air disasters. The main purpose of the Montreal Convention was to amend liabilities to be paid to families for death or injury whilst on board an aircraft," said Boyer-Cartwright, a partner at Callenders law firm with offices in Nassau, Lyford Cay and Grand Bahama. "Victims and family members have the right to file a personal injury claim for compensation. Whatever the cause of an aviation accident/incident, negligence, pilot error, or mechanical defects, the airline, owner /operator, can be responsible for full liability."
Boyer-Cartwright, along with the Bahamas Financial Services Board, has been calling for the establishment of a Bahamas international aircraft registry similar to the Bahamas Maritime Authority, citing numerous spin-off benefits, including giving rise to an aviation industry in the country. Boyer-Cartwright has also been invited to address a major aviation conference in Aruba later this year.
Source: http://www.bahamaislandsinfo.com
Solberg Airport eminent domain fight in Readington still unresolved
Solberg-Hunterdon Airport (N51), Readington, New Jersey
READINGTON — A Superior Court judge once again has grounded the township’s efforts to acquire Solberg-Hunterdon Airport.
The eminent domain battle — which already has cost township taxpayers more than $1.5 million in legal bills, as well as $22 million in borrowed money to finance a forced purchase of the property — continues after a judge on Monday threw out the township’s latest plan, essentially putting both parties back at square one.
Judge Yolanda Ciccone, sitting in Somerville, also ordered the township to return more than $139,000 that officials had withdrawn from the case’s trust account in order to pay the airport’s property taxes.
Ciccone also denied Readington’s effort to withdraw $700,000 from the account. The township argued that they should be allowed to recoup some of the money considering that their latest amended offer was $7.16 million cheaper.
The township originally had tried to acquire all of the airport’s 726 acres in 2006. An appellate panel in 2009, however, ordered a trial after finding the township’s motives “suspect.”
Officials long have feared that the airport would grow too large. The township wants to preserve the airport property as open space. The Solberg family, which has operated the commercial airport since 1941, oppose any taking of their property or development rights.
In 2011 the township revised its plan, opting instead to buy only the development rights of the airport “safety zone,” excluding the 102 acres that include the airport’s facilities, for a cost of $14.6 million.
Last year Ciccone ruled that Readington, by amending its plan, had unlawfully abandoned its original claim, meaning that the Solberg family was entitled to collect legal expenses from the township. In this week’s ruling, however, Ciccone said that Readington in fact cannot abandon its original claim without the Solbergs’ consent.
“It’s back to the status it was in before they tried to amend it,” Solberg attorney Laurence Orloff, of the firm Orloff, Lowenbach, Stifelman and Siegel, said Tuesday. Orloff said that he had not yet spoken with his clients regarding how they would proceed.
Township attorney James Rhatican could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Source: http://www.mycentraljersey.com
READINGTON — A Superior Court judge once again has grounded the township’s efforts to acquire Solberg-Hunterdon Airport.
The eminent domain battle — which already has cost township taxpayers more than $1.5 million in legal bills, as well as $22 million in borrowed money to finance a forced purchase of the property — continues after a judge on Monday threw out the township’s latest plan, essentially putting both parties back at square one.
Judge Yolanda Ciccone, sitting in Somerville, also ordered the township to return more than $139,000 that officials had withdrawn from the case’s trust account in order to pay the airport’s property taxes.
Ciccone also denied Readington’s effort to withdraw $700,000 from the account. The township argued that they should be allowed to recoup some of the money considering that their latest amended offer was $7.16 million cheaper.
The township originally had tried to acquire all of the airport’s 726 acres in 2006. An appellate panel in 2009, however, ordered a trial after finding the township’s motives “suspect.”
Officials long have feared that the airport would grow too large. The township wants to preserve the airport property as open space. The Solberg family, which has operated the commercial airport since 1941, oppose any taking of their property or development rights.
In 2011 the township revised its plan, opting instead to buy only the development rights of the airport “safety zone,” excluding the 102 acres that include the airport’s facilities, for a cost of $14.6 million.
Last year Ciccone ruled that Readington, by amending its plan, had unlawfully abandoned its original claim, meaning that the Solberg family was entitled to collect legal expenses from the township. In this week’s ruling, however, Ciccone said that Readington in fact cannot abandon its original claim without the Solbergs’ consent.
“It’s back to the status it was in before they tried to amend it,” Solberg attorney Laurence Orloff, of the firm Orloff, Lowenbach, Stifelman and Siegel, said Tuesday. Orloff said that he had not yet spoken with his clients regarding how they would proceed.
Township attorney James Rhatican could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Source: http://www.mycentraljersey.com
Yarnell Hill Fire: Four military C-130s moving from Colorado to Arizona
YARNELL, AZ - Four military firefighting planes are being moved to Arizona from Colorado.
The National Interagency Fire Center says all four C-130s will be stationed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway by Wednesday and ready to drop slurry on the Yarnell Fire.
The planes were mobilized last month to fight fires in southern Colorado, including one that destroyed over 500 homes and killed two people.
Air15 flew over the scene and showed a C-130 already on the ground at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport on Tuesday morning.
See photos of the Yarnell Fire on abc15.com
The National Interagency Fire Center says all four C-130s will be stationed at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway by Wednesday and ready to drop slurry on the Yarnell Fire.
The planes were mobilized last month to fight fires in southern Colorado, including one that destroyed over 500 homes and killed two people.
Air15 flew over the scene and showed a C-130 already on the ground at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport on Tuesday morning.
See photos of the Yarnell Fire on abc15.com
North Carolina Air Guard Crew Remembered In Memorial Near Edgemont, South Dakota
(EDGEMONT, S.D.) - Officials have dedicated a memorial in western South Dakota honoring North Carolina National Guardsmen who died a year ago when their air tanker crashed while fighting a wildfire.
The interpretive site on a ridge top northeast of Edgemont honors six airmen - four who died and two who were injured. It was dedicated Monday on the one-year anniversary of the crash in South Dakota's Black Hills.
More than 100 family, friends and colleagues were on hand for Monday's dedication ceremony. South Dakota Lt. Gov. Matt Michels also attended and spoke, expressing gratitude for the sacrifice of the airmen.
The website Wildfire Today says a U.S. Air Force report concluded last November that strong winds out of a thunderstorm caused the crash of the military C-130 air tanker. The accident occurred on the White Draw Fire near Edgemont and resulted in four fatalities. Two crewmen in the rear of the aircraft were injured but survived. Those two were operating the Modular Airborne FireFighting System (MAFFS) in the cargo hold, which enables the C-130 to function as an air tanker, capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant.
Killed were 42-year-old Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal of Mooresville, N.C.; 36-year-old Maj. Joseph McCormick of Belmont; 35-year-old Maj. Ryan David of Boone; and 50-year-old Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon of Charlotte. Chief Master Sgt. Andy Huneycutt and Sgt. Josh Marlowe of Boiling Springs were seriously injured.
The report said a microburst of turbulent air out of a thunderstorm caused the crash. During a previous retardant drop on the fire, the aircraft experienced a drop in airspeed despite operating under full power. Before the second drop, the crew discussed the air speed problem, but decided they could adjust to the conditions. The plane crashed on the second drop about five minutes after the first one.
A lead plane flying a half-mile ahead of the C-130 experienced a microburst that pushed it within 10 feet of the ground.
The investigation also determined factors that substantially contributed to the mishap included the failure of the lead plane and air attack aircrews to communicate critical operational information, as well as conflicting operational guidance concerning thunderstorm avoidance.
“If you add all the pieces up, it was very clear they should not have attempted the second drop,” said Brig. Gen. Randall Guthrie, the Air Force Reserve officer who led the investigation. “With all apparent conditions, they should not have gone ahead.”
The aircraft that crashed was MAFFS #7 from the North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing based at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
More details of the crash are available online at http://wildfiretoday.com/2012/11/14/air-force-report-says-micorburst-caused-crash-of-maffs-air-tanker/.
--Information courtesy of The Associated Press and Wildfire Today
The interpretive site on a ridge top northeast of Edgemont honors six airmen - four who died and two who were injured. It was dedicated Monday on the one-year anniversary of the crash in South Dakota's Black Hills.
More than 100 family, friends and colleagues were on hand for Monday's dedication ceremony. South Dakota Lt. Gov. Matt Michels also attended and spoke, expressing gratitude for the sacrifice of the airmen.
The website Wildfire Today says a U.S. Air Force report concluded last November that strong winds out of a thunderstorm caused the crash of the military C-130 air tanker. The accident occurred on the White Draw Fire near Edgemont and resulted in four fatalities. Two crewmen in the rear of the aircraft were injured but survived. Those two were operating the Modular Airborne FireFighting System (MAFFS) in the cargo hold, which enables the C-130 to function as an air tanker, capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant.
Killed were 42-year-old Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal of Mooresville, N.C.; 36-year-old Maj. Joseph McCormick of Belmont; 35-year-old Maj. Ryan David of Boone; and 50-year-old Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon of Charlotte. Chief Master Sgt. Andy Huneycutt and Sgt. Josh Marlowe of Boiling Springs were seriously injured.
The report said a microburst of turbulent air out of a thunderstorm caused the crash. During a previous retardant drop on the fire, the aircraft experienced a drop in airspeed despite operating under full power. Before the second drop, the crew discussed the air speed problem, but decided they could adjust to the conditions. The plane crashed on the second drop about five minutes after the first one.
A lead plane flying a half-mile ahead of the C-130 experienced a microburst that pushed it within 10 feet of the ground.
The investigation also determined factors that substantially contributed to the mishap included the failure of the lead plane and air attack aircrews to communicate critical operational information, as well as conflicting operational guidance concerning thunderstorm avoidance.
“If you add all the pieces up, it was very clear they should not have attempted the second drop,” said Brig. Gen. Randall Guthrie, the Air Force Reserve officer who led the investigation. “With all apparent conditions, they should not have gone ahead.”
The aircraft that crashed was MAFFS #7 from the North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing based at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
More details of the crash are available online at http://wildfiretoday.com/2012/11/14/air-force-report-says-micorburst-caused-crash-of-maffs-air-tanker/.
--Information courtesy of The Associated Press and Wildfire Today
Powered parachute aircraft crashes, man injured: Barron, Wisconsin
BARRON, Wis. (RELEASE FROM BARRON CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.)-- On Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at 8:24 a.m., the Barron County Sheriff’s Department received a call of an Ultralight Aircraft that crashed in a field north of Rice Lake.
Deputies from the Barron County Sheriff’s Department, the Rice Lake Fire Department, Lakeview Medical Center Ambulance and Life Link Helicopter were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that an Ultralight Powered Parachute Aircraft had crashed in a field north of Lynndale’s Golf Course. The pilot of the aircraft was David Edming, 53 of Rice Lake. David was extricated from the aircraft and flown to Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire with serious leg injuries.
Initial investigation shows that the aircraft caught a gust of wind causing the aircraft to go down. The FAA was contacted but due to the fact that this was a not a registered aircraft and you do not need a pilot they do not investigate these types of aircraft crashes.
Per Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff
---------------------------------
BARRON, Wis. (WEAU) – A man was taken to the hospital after the ultralight powered parachute he was flying in crashed.
It happened Tuesday morning north of Rice Lake. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says he believes the vehicle was caught in a gust of wind, when it went down. It crashed in a field about 100 yards away from Lynndale's Golf Course on 20 ½ Street.
There’s no word on the extent of the man’s injuries. Fitzgerald did not release his name, but says he is from Rice Lake. He says an ultralight powered parachute is not an airplane, but has a gas engine in the back, and holds one person. The victim was the only person on board at the time of the crash. Fitzgerald did not know how high in the air the man was when the parachute went down.
Deputies from the Barron County Sheriff’s Department, the Rice Lake Fire Department, Lakeview Medical Center Ambulance and Life Link Helicopter were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that an Ultralight Powered Parachute Aircraft had crashed in a field north of Lynndale’s Golf Course. The pilot of the aircraft was David Edming, 53 of Rice Lake. David was extricated from the aircraft and flown to Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire with serious leg injuries.
Initial investigation shows that the aircraft caught a gust of wind causing the aircraft to go down. The FAA was contacted but due to the fact that this was a not a registered aircraft and you do not need a pilot they do not investigate these types of aircraft crashes.
Per Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff
---------------------------------
BARRON, Wis. (WEAU) – A man was taken to the hospital after the ultralight powered parachute he was flying in crashed.
It happened Tuesday morning north of Rice Lake. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says he believes the vehicle was caught in a gust of wind, when it went down. It crashed in a field about 100 yards away from Lynndale's Golf Course on 20 ½ Street.
There’s no word on the extent of the man’s injuries. Fitzgerald did not release his name, but says he is from Rice Lake. He says an ultralight powered parachute is not an airplane, but has a gas engine in the back, and holds one person. The victim was the only person on board at the time of the crash. Fitzgerald did not know how high in the air the man was when the parachute went down.
Aviat A-1B Husky: Aircraft crashes on the Crow Indian Reservation in Fort Smith, Montana
An airplane carrying two people crashed on Tuesday morning in Fort Smith on the Crow Indian Reservation.
Allen Kenitzer, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman, said that an Aviat A-1B Husky crashed at Fort Smith at about 10:30 a.m. "under unknown conditions."
Two people were onboard, but Kenitzer did not have information on their conditions. He referred further questions about their conditions to local authorities and officials with the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office were not available for comment.
Big Horn County Coroner Terry Bullis said he had not been contacted regarding the crash as of 2:10 p.m.
There is a small landing strip at Fort Smith near the Yellowtail Dam afterbay, although it wasn't immediately clear if that's where the crash happened.
According to FAA records, the single-engine, fixed-wing plane is registered to a ranch out of Gillette, Wyo.
The National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation into the crash with assistance from the FAA and local authorities.
A preliminary NTSB report could be available within two weeks, although the full investigation and report including probably cause typically take months to complete.
More information will be reported as it becomes available.
Story and Photos: http://billingsgazette.com
Allen Kenitzer, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman, said that an Aviat A-1B Husky crashed at Fort Smith at about 10:30 a.m. "under unknown conditions."
Two people were onboard, but Kenitzer did not have information on their conditions. He referred further questions about their conditions to local authorities and officials with the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office were not available for comment.
Big Horn County Coroner Terry Bullis said he had not been contacted regarding the crash as of 2:10 p.m.
There is a small landing strip at Fort Smith near the Yellowtail Dam afterbay, although it wasn't immediately clear if that's where the crash happened.
According to FAA records, the single-engine, fixed-wing plane is registered to a ranch out of Gillette, Wyo.
The National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation into the crash with assistance from the FAA and local authorities.
A preliminary NTSB report could be available within two weeks, although the full investigation and report including probably cause typically take months to complete.
More information will be reported as it becomes available.
Story and Photos: http://billingsgazette.com
Man allegedly tries to break into medical helicopter: Pottsville, Pennsylvania
A
Pottsville man who allegedly attempted to break into a medical
helicopter while it was parked at a helipad in Pottsville early Saturday
is in prison and facing federal charges, city police said Monday.
"The aircraft was inspected. It's fine. It's not damaged at all. From what I understand, all he did was raid the refrigerator," Matthew Burns, a media representative with Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, said Monday.
Christopher Wayne Camodeca, 23, is being charged with stealing food from the office of Lehigh Valley MedEvac 7 at 512 N. 14th St., along with food, a wallet and a set of car keys from a home at 1398 Laurel Blvd. owned by William Phillips, police said.
Camodeca was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and charged with two counts each of felony burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property, and one count each of loitering and prowling at night and public drunkenness, police said.
Camodeca was placed in the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail, police said.
Lehigh Valley leases MedEvac 7 from Air Methods, a medical helicopter company based in Englewood, Colo. Lehigh Valley also leases the helipad in Pottsville from Mazzuca Enterprises.
At 3:52 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 512 N. 14th St., the helipad, for a report of a man attempting to enter the helicopter, police said.
"This gentleman tried to raid the refrigerator at the headquarters there. Other than food, nothing else was taken," Burns said.
Police said the man fled on foot but they had a description from a witness and took Camodeca into custody in the 1300 block of Mount Hope Avenue. As the investigation continued, police discovered Camodeca had broken into Phillips' residence on Laurel Boulevard.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://republicanherald.com
"The aircraft was inspected. It's fine. It's not damaged at all. From what I understand, all he did was raid the refrigerator," Matthew Burns, a media representative with Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, said Monday.
Christopher Wayne Camodeca, 23, is being charged with stealing food from the office of Lehigh Valley MedEvac 7 at 512 N. 14th St., along with food, a wallet and a set of car keys from a home at 1398 Laurel Blvd. owned by William Phillips, police said.
Camodeca was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and charged with two counts each of felony burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property, and one count each of loitering and prowling at night and public drunkenness, police said.
Camodeca was placed in the Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail, police said.
Lehigh Valley leases MedEvac 7 from Air Methods, a medical helicopter company based in Englewood, Colo. Lehigh Valley also leases the helipad in Pottsville from Mazzuca Enterprises.
At 3:52 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 512 N. 14th St., the helipad, for a report of a man attempting to enter the helicopter, police said.
"This gentleman tried to raid the refrigerator at the headquarters there. Other than food, nothing else was taken," Burns said.
Police said the man fled on foot but they had a description from a witness and took Camodeca into custody in the 1300 block of Mount Hope Avenue. As the investigation continued, police discovered Camodeca had broken into Phillips' residence on Laurel Boulevard.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://republicanherald.com
Frontier Airlines begins flying out of New Castle Airport
Observing an airport tradition, fire engines "christened" the maiden flight with crossed streams of water.
Passengers began filing into the terminal before 6 a.m., and things flowed smoothly as they worked through check-in and security screening.
Jerome Ivy of Chicago was visiting family in Wilmington. He was returning home from New Castle after flying in through Philadelphia.
"This is the perfect airport for me. If I could go to one like this every time, I would do it," says Ivy.
Felicia Newman of Media, PA lives just 20 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, but she chose to fly out of New Castle because...
"Because of the free parking and the fact that the traffic was unbelievable, you don't have to deal with 95, it's amazing. I'm thrilled beyond words," Newman says.
Teresa Wordelmann from Gloucester County, New Jersey was going to Chicago with her two daughters.
She has flown Frontier out of Trenton in the past, but enjoyed the New Castle experience.
"It's bigger than the Trenton airport, so if I had to pick one or the other it would probably be here, the parking is really easy, it wasn't hard to get here. It was fine," says Wordelmann.
Lynelle Fitzmeyer came down from Chester County, PA. Overall, she says it's been worth the drive.
"Parking is great, no cost. Checking in was a little glitchy because their computer system didn't work last night for online check-in, but otherwise we're through the line and we're ready to go," Fitzmeyer says.
The flight, scheduled to take off at 7:30 a.m., was delayed due to a computer problem, but eventually all 168 passengers got on their way to Chicago.
Story, Video, Comments/Reaction: http://www.wdel.com
New Castle Airport (KILG), Wilmington, Delaware
Passengers began filing into the terminal before 6 a.m., and things flowed smoothly as they worked through check-in and security screening.
Jerome Ivy of Chicago was visiting family in Wilmington. He was returning home from New Castle after flying in through Philadelphia.
"This is the perfect airport for me. If I could go to one like this every time, I would do it," says Ivy.
Felicia Newman of Media, PA lives just 20 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, but she chose to fly out of New Castle because...
"Because of the free parking and the fact that the traffic was unbelievable, you don't have to deal with 95, it's amazing. I'm thrilled beyond words," Newman says.
Teresa Wordelmann from Gloucester County, New Jersey was going to Chicago with her two daughters.
She has flown Frontier out of Trenton in the past, but enjoyed the New Castle experience.
"It's bigger than the Trenton airport, so if I had to pick one or the other it would probably be here, the parking is really easy, it wasn't hard to get here. It was fine," says Wordelmann.
Lynelle Fitzmeyer came down from Chester County, PA. Overall, she says it's been worth the drive.
"Parking is great, no cost. Checking in was a little glitchy because their computer system didn't work last night for online check-in, but otherwise we're through the line and we're ready to go," Fitzmeyer says.
The flight, scheduled to take off at 7:30 a.m., was delayed due to a computer problem, but eventually all 168 passengers got on their way to Chicago.
Story, Video, Comments/Reaction: http://www.wdel.com
New Castle Airport (KILG), Wilmington, Delaware
Princeton Airport to start free tours
Princeton Airport is set to offer free tours on Tuesday mornings.
Since 1985, the operators of the airport have open its doors to visitors to see the daily operations of the airfield. Tours address the past 100 years of the airport, as well as, the present and future.
As a privately owned, public use facility, Princeton Airport provides many services for both business and recreational purposes. Services include flight training for careers, business and pleasure in airplanes and helicopters, sales and services of airplanes, helicopter charter, indoor and outside parking of air crafts and a pilot shop.
Tour groups are set to view the homebuilt, experimental and aerobatic air crafts based at the field and watch flight arrivals. They are also set to visit the maintenance shop and sit in an airplane to understand how the controls work.
Tours are scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m during July and August. Tours run approximately one hour.
The tours will not be conducted if it is raining.
Princeton Airport is located at 41 Airpark Road in Montgomery Township.
More information is online at princetonairport.com.
Source: http://www.mercerspace.com
Princeton Airport (39N), Princeton/Rocky Hill, New Jersey
Since 1985, the operators of the airport have open its doors to visitors to see the daily operations of the airfield. Tours address the past 100 years of the airport, as well as, the present and future.
As a privately owned, public use facility, Princeton Airport provides many services for both business and recreational purposes. Services include flight training for careers, business and pleasure in airplanes and helicopters, sales and services of airplanes, helicopter charter, indoor and outside parking of air crafts and a pilot shop.
Tour groups are set to view the homebuilt, experimental and aerobatic air crafts based at the field and watch flight arrivals. They are also set to visit the maintenance shop and sit in an airplane to understand how the controls work.
Tours are scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m during July and August. Tours run approximately one hour.
The tours will not be conducted if it is raining.
Princeton Airport is located at 41 Airpark Road in Montgomery Township.
More information is online at princetonairport.com.
Source: http://www.mercerspace.com
Princeton Airport (39N), Princeton/Rocky Hill, New Jersey
Bridgeport won't get driveway funds back
Brian Lockhart, CT Post
Updated 12:54 am, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
BRIDGEPORT -- Taxpayers shouldn't plan on recouping the $400,000 Mayor Bill Finch's administration spent to hire developer Manuel "Manny" Moutinho's construction company to build a driveway over airport property to Moutinho's waterfront mansion in Stratford.
"We built it, we put it in, we adopted those (architectural) drawings, built to those standards. I believe it's ours and ours alone," City Attorney Mark Anastasi told the City Council Monday.
It was about the only definitive statement Anastasi made in an information session on the month-old driveway controversy arranged by Council President Thomas McCarthy, D-133.
Anastasi did hint at the possibility that Moutinho, who had already obtained the permits to build the 1000-foot gravel driveway for himself and three neighboring property owners, maneuvered the Finch administration into taking over the project.
"I can't say with any degree of certainty whether people took advantage of our needs and timetable," Anastasi said. "I don't know what happened here. Hopefully, we'll all know shortly."
Hearst Connecticut Newspapers first reported on the driveway in early June, when it was completed.
The administration has said the project was necessary to move forward with long-sought safety improvements to Sikorsky Memorial Airport's runway. Anastasi reiterated that defense last night as Finch, who presides over council meetings, for the most part quietly observed
Owned by Bridgeport, Sikorsky is located in Stratford.
Moutinho's original, dirt driveway will be abandoned as part of the runway work, so the city owed him a new one, according to the mayor's office.
But Finch launched an internal probe after he said he learned from Hearst about a decades-long friendship and real estate transactions between Moutinho and Airport Manager John Ricci.
Ricci remains on paid suspension pending the investigation by the city's labor office and an unnamed outside attorney who does work for Anastasi's office.
One of the major questions about the driveway is why the city took the project over from Moutinho in the first place, since he had been poised to install it himself and had obtained the permits from Stratford.
Anastasi conceded that for some reason Moutinho had not started construction. And with the federal government mandating the runway project's completion by 2016, the city had to make a decision.
"I think it became apparent to us (that) left to his (Moutinho's) own devices, it would not be constructed in a timely enough fashion," Anastasi said.
Since Moutinho had navigated the lengthy permitting process in Stratford, Bridgeport simply assumed the project as designed. That meant replacing the old dirt driveway with a gravel one, installing two fire hydrants and underground utilities.
"This isn't the road to the Taj Mahal, but it's certainly a market upgrade," Anastasi admitted.
But, Anastasi said, "A decision was made we had to spend some money to achieve some time."
He also said the fire hydrants were required by Stratford. But an April 2012 email from Brian Lampart, that town's fire marshal, to Nick Owen, who represented Moutinho before Stratford's land-use boards, does not mention a mandate. Instead Lampart refers to building a driveway to carry the weight of fire equipment and installing one hydrant as great options.
Anastasi Monday also could not explain why the council was never informed about the driveway, even though the money was, the mayor's office has said, included in the city's $3 million share of the runway safety work. The council voted to borrow that amount last September.
"I don't know the level of detail the council was provided or requested," Anastasi said.
No one from the city's budget department was present for Monday's discussion.
It was only mid-March when the Finch administration -- through Ricci -- approached Stratford to take over Moutinho's permits. In April, Ricci circumvented the city's competitive bidding process and obtained three quotes for the work from local contractors. Moutinho's Mark IV Construction was the last quote sought and the cheapest.
Anastasi blamed some of the delay on what he called a "gag order" preventing officials from going public during the winter while finalizing negotiations over the runway project with Stratford, state and federal officials.
Although Finch sat through the entire meeting Monday, no council members directed any questions to the mayor. The mayor and all 20 council members are Democrats.
Finch said the success his administration had moving ahead with the Sikorsky safety work has made "the stink of this incident" greater.
"There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness, tainted," he said, quoting from Henry David Thoreau and thanking Hearst and whoever brought the driveway story to the newspaper's attention.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.ctpost.com
Sikorsky Memorial Airport (KBDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut
Updated 12:54 am, Tuesday, July 2, 2013
BRIDGEPORT -- Taxpayers shouldn't plan on recouping the $400,000 Mayor Bill Finch's administration spent to hire developer Manuel "Manny" Moutinho's construction company to build a driveway over airport property to Moutinho's waterfront mansion in Stratford.
"We built it, we put it in, we adopted those (architectural) drawings, built to those standards. I believe it's ours and ours alone," City Attorney Mark Anastasi told the City Council Monday.
It was about the only definitive statement Anastasi made in an information session on the month-old driveway controversy arranged by Council President Thomas McCarthy, D-133.
Anastasi did hint at the possibility that Moutinho, who had already obtained the permits to build the 1000-foot gravel driveway for himself and three neighboring property owners, maneuvered the Finch administration into taking over the project.
"I can't say with any degree of certainty whether people took advantage of our needs and timetable," Anastasi said. "I don't know what happened here. Hopefully, we'll all know shortly."
Hearst Connecticut Newspapers first reported on the driveway in early June, when it was completed.
The administration has said the project was necessary to move forward with long-sought safety improvements to Sikorsky Memorial Airport's runway. Anastasi reiterated that defense last night as Finch, who presides over council meetings, for the most part quietly observed
Owned by Bridgeport, Sikorsky is located in Stratford.
Moutinho's original, dirt driveway will be abandoned as part of the runway work, so the city owed him a new one, according to the mayor's office.
But Finch launched an internal probe after he said he learned from Hearst about a decades-long friendship and real estate transactions between Moutinho and Airport Manager John Ricci.
Ricci remains on paid suspension pending the investigation by the city's labor office and an unnamed outside attorney who does work for Anastasi's office.
One of the major questions about the driveway is why the city took the project over from Moutinho in the first place, since he had been poised to install it himself and had obtained the permits from Stratford.
Anastasi conceded that for some reason Moutinho had not started construction. And with the federal government mandating the runway project's completion by 2016, the city had to make a decision.
"I think it became apparent to us (that) left to his (Moutinho's) own devices, it would not be constructed in a timely enough fashion," Anastasi said.
Since Moutinho had navigated the lengthy permitting process in Stratford, Bridgeport simply assumed the project as designed. That meant replacing the old dirt driveway with a gravel one, installing two fire hydrants and underground utilities.
"This isn't the road to the Taj Mahal, but it's certainly a market upgrade," Anastasi admitted.
But, Anastasi said, "A decision was made we had to spend some money to achieve some time."
He also said the fire hydrants were required by Stratford. But an April 2012 email from Brian Lampart, that town's fire marshal, to Nick Owen, who represented Moutinho before Stratford's land-use boards, does not mention a mandate. Instead Lampart refers to building a driveway to carry the weight of fire equipment and installing one hydrant as great options.
Anastasi Monday also could not explain why the council was never informed about the driveway, even though the money was, the mayor's office has said, included in the city's $3 million share of the runway safety work. The council voted to borrow that amount last September.
"I don't know the level of detail the council was provided or requested," Anastasi said.
No one from the city's budget department was present for Monday's discussion.
It was only mid-March when the Finch administration -- through Ricci -- approached Stratford to take over Moutinho's permits. In April, Ricci circumvented the city's competitive bidding process and obtained three quotes for the work from local contractors. Moutinho's Mark IV Construction was the last quote sought and the cheapest.
Anastasi blamed some of the delay on what he called a "gag order" preventing officials from going public during the winter while finalizing negotiations over the runway project with Stratford, state and federal officials.
Although Finch sat through the entire meeting Monday, no council members directed any questions to the mayor. The mayor and all 20 council members are Democrats.
Finch said the success his administration had moving ahead with the Sikorsky safety work has made "the stink of this incident" greater.
"There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness, tainted," he said, quoting from Henry David Thoreau and thanking Hearst and whoever brought the driveway story to the newspaper's attention.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.ctpost.com
Sikorsky Memorial Airport (KBDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut
Airport official says charter doesn't block proposed sale of Braden Airpark
While the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority has given itself until October before it considers selling Braden Airpark, Executive Director Charles Everett said Monday Northampton County has no authority to block the sale.
The authority must pay $16 million by 2015 after losing a lengthy court battle over land adjacent to Lehigh Valley International Airport. In an effort to cut back on expenses and increase revenue, Executive Director Charles Everett recommended the authority sell Braden Airpark in Forks Township.
Walt Speck, a former member of the authority's board of governors, challenged the plan last month at a Northampton County Council committee meeting. Under its charter, the authority is tasked with owning and operating its three airports, including Braden Airpark, he noted. How could it sell Braden, he asked, without both counties' approval to alter the charter?
The question sent lawyers for both sides back to review the LNAA's articles of incorporation. Monday, Everett said authority solicitor Robert M. Donchez "believes we would be able to sell the airpark without the county's approval," Everett said. He declined to elaborate.
An email to Donchez seeking further reasoning was not immediately returned.
County council solicitor Phil Lauer said he is still reviewing the matter but would offer his opinion at Northampton County Council's meeting today. Mike Alpago of the county solicitor's office said he is still reviewing the articles of incorporation.
According to a 1994 amendment of the authority's articles of incorporation, the LNAA shall acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain and operate buildings and property so it can produce revenue to own and operate Lehigh Valley International Airport, Queen City Airport and Braden Airpark.
The sale proposal has been derided by local pilots, and Northampton County Council members questioned the reasoning behind the move. It's believed the sale would only net the authority about $1 million, which would not make a serious impact on the debt.
Braden is the only public general aviation airstrip in the county and is the only public facility in the Lehigh Valley for experimental aircraft. Selling the airpark would end community outreach programs the authority should be embracing as smaller airlines abandon Lehigh Valley International Airport, said county Councilman Tom Dietrich.
“Aren’t you being counterproductive and still leaving you with a whole lot of debt?” Dietrich asked.
LNAA board member Bill Berger said Braden was profitable until Moyer Aviation Inc., which offered the flight lessons and charter flights, left in February after 16 years because of the uncertainty surrounding the airpark's future. Everett has disputed the claim, arguing Moyer's lease did not offset the airpark's annual $160,000 debt service.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com
Braden Airpark (N43), Easton, Pennsylvania
The authority must pay $16 million by 2015 after losing a lengthy court battle over land adjacent to Lehigh Valley International Airport. In an effort to cut back on expenses and increase revenue, Executive Director Charles Everett recommended the authority sell Braden Airpark in Forks Township.
Walt Speck, a former member of the authority's board of governors, challenged the plan last month at a Northampton County Council committee meeting. Under its charter, the authority is tasked with owning and operating its three airports, including Braden Airpark, he noted. How could it sell Braden, he asked, without both counties' approval to alter the charter?
The question sent lawyers for both sides back to review the LNAA's articles of incorporation. Monday, Everett said authority solicitor Robert M. Donchez "believes we would be able to sell the airpark without the county's approval," Everett said. He declined to elaborate.
An email to Donchez seeking further reasoning was not immediately returned.
County council solicitor Phil Lauer said he is still reviewing the matter but would offer his opinion at Northampton County Council's meeting today. Mike Alpago of the county solicitor's office said he is still reviewing the articles of incorporation.
According to a 1994 amendment of the authority's articles of incorporation, the LNAA shall acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain and operate buildings and property so it can produce revenue to own and operate Lehigh Valley International Airport, Queen City Airport and Braden Airpark.
The sale proposal has been derided by local pilots, and Northampton County Council members questioned the reasoning behind the move. It's believed the sale would only net the authority about $1 million, which would not make a serious impact on the debt.
Braden is the only public general aviation airstrip in the county and is the only public facility in the Lehigh Valley for experimental aircraft. Selling the airpark would end community outreach programs the authority should be embracing as smaller airlines abandon Lehigh Valley International Airport, said county Councilman Tom Dietrich.
“Aren’t you being counterproductive and still leaving you with a whole lot of debt?” Dietrich asked.
LNAA board member Bill Berger said Braden was profitable until Moyer Aviation Inc., which offered the flight lessons and charter flights, left in February after 16 years because of the uncertainty surrounding the airpark's future. Everett has disputed the claim, arguing Moyer's lease did not offset the airpark's annual $160,000 debt service.
Story and Comments/Reaction: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com
Braden Airpark (N43), Easton, Pennsylvania
Thumbs down
Thumbs down to Bridgeport City Hall's continuing silence on the circumstances surrounding the building of a $400,000 access road through Sikorsky Memorial Airport to the property of a millionaire developer. In a suspension of normal bidding, the developer, Manuel Moutinho, a friend and business associate of airport manager John Ricci, also was awarded the contract to build the road. It's closing in on a month since Mayor Bill Finch suspended Ricci with pay and said the city was investigating.
Source: http://www.ctpost.com
Sikorsky Memorial Airport (KBDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut
Source: http://www.ctpost.com
Sikorsky Memorial Airport (KBDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut
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