kkeenan 13 #1 June 5, 2011 I heard a rumor. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SARLDO 0 #2 June 5, 2011 It's true. July 1st takeover from what I was told. No word out yet on type aircraft to be flying. I hope it works out. LW is a nice place to jump."Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpoxon 0 #3 June 5, 2011 Not related, but came up on the feeds recently about the recovery of Lake Wales after the Hurricane destruction. QuoteLake Wales Airport Still Recovering from 2004 Trio of Hurricanes Airport director Betty Hill said the airport has never fully recovered from the triple blast of hurricanes in 2004 that virtually blew the place down. Charley, the first storm, did the most damage and Frances and Jeanne leveled anything that was teetering. All that remained virtually unscathed was the pavement. "The last few years, we're still just trying hard to get back on our feet," Hill said. The city opened a new main airport building two years ago. But the new building is less than half the size of the one that blew down. The opening of the new building was a big step forward, and Hill is hoping for more progress, a step at a time. Before the hurricanes, the airport featured a nice snack bar. Officials would like to see another, but say more traffic at the airport is necessary. The airport has been known for decades as a skydiving hub. But Dave "Pink" Floyd, a skydiver, photographer, videographer and airport volunteer, said the skydiving traffic is off at least 25 percent, maybe more. It has become much more expensive to skydive than in decades past. Floyd said that in 1975 he bought a "rig," meaning a parachute and all the accompaniments, for $300. He said he bought a high-end new rig recently for $8,000. In May, one of the slowest months of the year at the airport, there were about 900 take-offs and landings, a small number. The winter months can bring 1,500 take-offs or landings, or more. Here are some of the challenges to pumping life into the airport. Hill and Floyd say they're aggressively trying to recruit a flight school to the city airport, which would bring more planes, more aviation fuel sales and more business. But it's unclear whether the school could operate in the main building or another would need to be built. The airport has 16 T-hangars for planes and all are leased, with a demand for more. City Economic Development Director Harold Gallup said he is working on a master plan for the airport and surrounding land and whether to add more T-hangars will be addressed. Airport officials would like to expand one of the two 4,000-foot runways another 1,200 feet, to make it 5,200 feet. Gallup said he is scouring every possible source of funding. Airport runways are often extended with state grant money, but there isn't as much money available as in years past. The airport sees its share of corporate planes now, but Gallup said extending one of the runways would upgrade the airport because it would have the capacity to land larger corporate planes. Gallup said the Lake Wales airport must position itself to attract business from the upcoming opening of Legoland. Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #4 June 5, 2011 A yankee with more money then god?you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #5 June 6, 2011 QuoteA yankee with more money then god? Whose initials are "BW"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrsample 0 #6 June 6, 2011 QuoteI heard a rumor. Kevin K. It would be good news if that rumor took the heat off the cities of Deland and Z-Hills and their respective DZ's struggles against a Yankee interloper. JR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkeenan 13 #7 June 7, 2011 I miss jumping at Lk. Wales. It is a great airport, and my feeling is that any change in DZ operators could only be a good thing for the fun-jumping community. In my opinion, a tandem-only operation does not benefit the skydiving community at all. Many fine folks left Lk. Wales when the current operator took over. Hopefully the new guy can make a go of it and everyone can come back for more great jumps. Kevin K._____________________________________ Dude, you are so awesome... Can I be on your ash jump ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
