AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2012 - 24

LETTERS
I enjoyed the article on the Ercoupe and appreciated how well it was explained and how thorough the article was. However, there has never been a C-65. The first A engine, which changed to a C engine, was the C-75. The Ercoupe was an “almost” buy for me before the correct color Cessna 120 sought my company. Neal F. Wright, AOPA 290365 Sunnyvale, California Another day, another island Dave Hirschman’s travelogue to the Bahamas (“Another Day, Another Island,” March 2012 AOPA Pilot) sounded really serene, even idyllic. The vision of talcumpowder beaches and turquoise waters would make anyone yearn for a trip to the Bahamas as he described. Having flown to the Bahamas from my home base in Boca Raton, I can confirm everything mentioned in the article, from radio communications, to arrival paperwork, right up to the infectious smiles on airport workers’ faces. The thing is, I don’t fly to the Bahamas because it’s so darn expensive to leave the place. I would love to fly to the islands for lunch but with a $25 departure tax, it makes the trip prohibitively expensive, especially if I want to take my family ($25, $25, $25, $25). Who knew that gas and the meal would be the least expensive part of the trip? I have written to the director of tourism, Greg Rolle, on several occasions requesting the government consider a modest, if not gratis, departure tax for those pilots wishing to fly to the islands for lunch (or toe dipping) and staying for four hours or less. Since all of the arrival papers are time-stamped (in triplicate), this would be very easy to administer. But my requests have fallen on deaf ears. Having talked to many pilot friends on the subject, I know for an absolute fact that this proposal would be a winner for Bahamian restaurants and businesses located near airports. The single reason none of us fly to these island paradises for breakfast or lunch is entirely because of the departure tax. Remove the tax and the ramps would be filled every weekend. Mr. Rolle, if you are reading this letter, I urge you to take up the subject matter with your ministers and really roll out the welcome mat to Florida pilots. You have done a phenomenal job at welcoming pilots once they arrive, now it’s time to increase the arrivals. Michael Gordon, AOPA 789482 Boca Raton, Florida
AOPA PILOT •

Gas pains I am writing in response to the article “Safety Pilot: Gas Pains” by Bruce Landsberg in the March 2012 issue. I am the nephew of Reese Dill, who is referenced in that article and whom I believe from the text was a friend of Mr. Landsberg’s. Reese was a friend of many, which we’ve learned in no uncertain terms since his passing and working on his memories and estate. He was very much loved by his family; however, we all live in different states and didn’t see enough of each other. He was single and I feel bad that we often wondered if he was lonely. Turns out nothing could have been further from the truth. Reese had literally hundreds of people whom he was close to and felt a real kinship to in a variety of areas, but I think most notably in aviation. Reese was a great engineer, tinkerer, mechanic, but I think that if I had to pick one single word, I would choose aviator. A friend of mine pointed out the article, which I would like to respond to. The report came out in late January and pretty well pins the engine failure on the carburetor float, indicating that fuel levels and fuel-use calculations were not a factor. Additionally, the report from the Boston medical examiner stated that Reese did not drown, but rather died of a head injury suffered on impact. The interior of the canopy had a fairly substantial roll cage in it and I suspect that the fatal injury happened during the rapid changes of direction on impact. Don’t take my comments as complaints, but as corrections. Everyone who knew Reese knew what a great aviator he was and his passion for doing the right thing. Charlie Dill Norwalk, Connecticut Clarification Despite assertions to the contrary in “Letters” April 2012 AOPA Pilot, Adrian Eichhorn was correct in interpreting the A/FD language at the time of flight in Thomas B. Haines’ story “Waypoints: Into the Night,” February 2012 AOPA Pilot. However, several months later the A/FD was updated to note that the airport is closed at night to transients. We welcome your comments. Address letters to: Editor, AOPA Pilot, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Send email to pilot@aopa.org. Please include your full name, address, and AOPA number. Letters to the Editor may be edited for length and style before publication.

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MAY 2012

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2012

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