Lancaster Airport altercation could lead to flight school termination

[Greg Sojka]

Stupid ? if laws were broken ,have the police enforce them or FAA, If money was misappropriated report it. I heard the same type of complaints at the town meetings about the speedway .

[gorja]

gorja, it was brought to my attention, after someone read your post here and wished that I respond. The manager of the Lancaster Airport became aggressive and made a veiled threat to a homeowner. The pilot navigating the aircraft who is one of the Clear Air's youngest flight instructor still in college was aggressive towards this homeowner-stating that since it is an uncontrolled airspace this instructor can do whatever he wants. In light of the recent aggressive/reckless flying another homeowner near the Lancaster Country Club also called the Manager at the airport, George and was very upset and conveyed her concern and his response was much the same. The Manager & the pilot initiated the confrontation, the homeowner stated what rights he as a homeowner has when trying to protect he and his family on the ground. With respect to the homeowner, there has been aggressive flying and it has on numerous occasions been reported to the FAA and with that, the FAA also had real concerns.

Thank you Shortie, for describing the situation

[BorderBob]

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Someone please define "reckless." And what housing areas?



b.b.

[Lee Chowaniec]

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Someone please define "reckless." And what housing areas?



b.b.

In 2009, the Safe Aviation Coalition of Lancaster (SACL) was formed to address safety issues caused by aircraft not following flight plan routes, planes flying below recommended altitude height, and to stop the Lancaster Airport from further expansion that would have allowed for commuter jets to land t the airport.

The goal of SACL was nver to shut down the airport at any time. The SACL members were okay with the aircraft expansion that had taken place – from a once near defunct airport housing less than 10 aircraft to one now housing around 60 aircraft. The residents were fine with peacefully coexisting with an airport housing only single and twin engine aircraft. It was airport management that felt threatened by having their airport expansion plans thwarted and told the pilots that the goal of SACL was to shut down the airport.

Since that time residents complaining to the town or FAA have been harassed and had their homes hazed numerous times by a few rogue pilots housed at the airport and even by flight school pilots operating there. That is recklessness – flying over homes repeatedly under 400 feet to harass someone.

As far as housing areas, hazing has taken place over homes on Nichter Road, Pavement Road, Schwartz Road, Ransom Road, Westwood Road, and others. Complaints have come in from residents living adjacent to the airport for years. The FAA has gathered enough information and video to convince them that the residents are not blowing smoke.

What satisfaction these rogue pilots get out of provoking certain individuals, what they hope to accomplish is beyond me.

As to the claim that homeowners knew there was an airport off Walden and Pavement and should have known better to move there:

• There are homes nearby that were built before the airport went into operation.
• In the early 90’s the airport was near defunct; with less that aircraft housed there and when new home building began in the area.
• No one expected the airport expansion that was to come or the intended type of aircraft (jet aircraft).
• From then to 2006 the airport expansion plan went into effect. The Lancaster Airport operation received $15 million in federal and state funding – all with the support of the town administration throughout those years, with permits issued to a nonconforming airport, one that exceeded site plan expansion limits, with no public hearings being held and with as little information disseminated as possible.

There is much more on this matter in the Speakup archives. People should read up on it before making unsubstantiated claims.

[gorja]

From the Lancaster police blotter-
While on patrol, a lieutenant noticed a small plane flipped over on the runway for Lancaster Airport and responded to the scene. The male pilot, who was out of the plane, had minor injuries but refused any medical treatment. The pilot stated that while landing, he had applied the brakes too hard, causing the plane to dip forward and the propeller to strike the runway, which caused the plane to flip over. Approximately 20-30 gallons of fuel had spilled onto the runway and grass. Video and photographs were taken of the scene. The N.T.S.B. and Buffalo Airport were notified.

[shortstuff]

From the Lancaster police blotter-
While on patrol, a lieutenant noticed a small plane flipped over on the runway for Lancaster Airport and responded to the scene. The male pilot, who was out of the plane, had minor injuries but refused any medical treatment. The pilot stated that while landing, he had applied the brakes too hard, causing the plane to dip forward and the propeller to strike the runway, which caused the plane to flip over. Approximately 20-30 gallons of fuel had spilled onto the runway and grass. Video and photographs were taken of the scene. The N.T.S.B. and Buffalo Airport were notified.

Another incident, this is disturbing. First of all, the lieutenant "noticed" so at that point no emergency crew was notified-maybe it had just happened. Was the fire department called- fuel on the ground is a concern (thank God the pilot was fine) with the National Fuel line running along the side of the airport and the train tracks, anything could have happened.

I hope it was not a student training, they stated the pilot was young.