You missed a big opportunity to make a better case for “bureaucratic overreaction” (Truth or consequences: Where zeal can compromise safety, November issue) when you failed to mention or discuss the one issue that concerns all pilots in the “Southern” area: FAA’s and the Secret Service’s attempt to make permanent the Washington ADIZ.
There was not one mention of this vital issue in your November issue.
You could have described the issue to those pilots who may not live in or around the ADIZ. You could have discussed the economic impact the ADIZ is now having on flight schools, FBOs and local businesses. You could have described the analysis conducted by AOPA that details the economic impact on the airports and cities affected. You could have discussed the chilling effect that a permanent ADIZ will have on the ability of future pilots to train and fly. You could have discussed the implications for areas around the country. What will prevent the FAA from establishing other permanent ADIZs in New York, Los Angeles, etc.?
If I had written the editorial I would have ended the piece with a plea to all pilots to go to the AOPA website and join 17,000-plus other pilots who have sent their comments to the FAA opposing the effort to make permanent the Washington ADIZ.
It is still not too late because Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has extended the public comment date another 90 days, no doubt because of the public clamor against this travesty. Perhaps you could prepare something for the December issue. You could title the editorial “A Christmas present from the FAA.”
Alan Chase
McLean, Va.
Editors Note: While the Washington, D.C., ADIZ was not mentioned in November, it has been the subject of extensive adverse commentary in these pages over the four years since it was established. We continue to encourage its abolishment.