justthefacts

I was there and it was first suggested by the Eriksmoens themselves that the other DZO's/S&TA's were biased. They alone led one member of the council to this suspicion. At least 3 others wanted it tabled based on the letter from lifeflight that they had just received at this meeting. Mr. Eriksmoen also stated that a S&TA rating meant very little and anyone could get this rating with a simple call to uspa. The meeting minutes will be available after the next council meeting since the council needs to approve the minutes before it is made public.

*chuckling about Hue-janus* ...I am no longer posting because no one wants to see the facts, they only want to see turbine drop zones and anything standing in the way (hostile neighbors, and soon to be forced out lifeflight) as political roadblocks the KC dz's unfairly conjured up. The truth and the facts will be known soon enough and those that have posted false information will be exposed. I will continue to watch this thread and laugh at the direction these posts have taken, now that its a bunch of guys from out of state "trolling" the forums looking to spew opinions (educated or not). I would have to disagree on the old saying "opinions are like *ssholes, everybodies got 'em" Unless these guys have numerous *ssholes! Best of luck all, I might move to Canada...I hear the strip clubs are killer!

Finally, someone who can speak with authority...if anyone knows something about the economics of turbines in Missouri its this guy

Anyone wanting to know who I am can pm and ask...I have already revealed my identity to several legitimately involved users on here

I am not here to argue about private grass strip airports with international airports and jets nearby. This is completely off the issue. I am not an air traffic controller and have never claimed to be such. I am simply pointing out that emergency(not flight school) helicopter operations are a unique aeronautical activity that require certain parameters. If anyone wants to speak with authority on this issue be familiar with this airport situation and don't make irrelevant comparisons. I am about to stop posting because of the need non -local people have to comment about a situation that they have done no research on. The lifeflight has stated the first incursion they have with either crowd control (there are no barriers around their helicopter) or with the skydivers and airspace they will relocate their operations. They(the professional pilots) consider this to be a serious situation that they cannot compromise on because of their liability to the critically ill and wounded for the sake of our recreational sport. No skydiving center can guarantee they will not interfere with these operations. They may be able to legally strong-arm their way into the airport but the community does not want to see the lifeflight leave.

Exactly...and as we all know each airport is set up and configured differently. What works in one case, does not necessarily in another. I have been to this airport and in this instance, the helicopter is surrounded by hangars on almost three sides and has a very limited take-off airspace as it is. This does not take into account skydivers landing 200-600ft away. It may be challenging to find a situation similar to this that has worked long-term.

QuoteIs there anyone who could get a copy of some meeting minutes from the city council to prove or disprove the allegations about Chris and Tom acting so poorly? (I checked online but could only find minutes from last year's meetings.) It would be good to clear the air before everyone goes on a witch hunt after them or tries to boycott their businesses based on something we read on this forum. I know several people (including me) who don't jump at these DZ for other reasons, but anything we can do to show unity among skydivers when we're viewed as a group from the public or governement point of view would be very helpful. Most intelligent viewpoint yet...at least someone can see there is more gossip on this post than facts.

I understand that those landing out on private property face prosecution from the surrounding land owners. I'd get the opinion of a lawyer before assuming that the statement you quoted implies prosecution for those that accidentally land off. Landowners in the meetings have stated this to be their intentions...no lawyers needed you should look into what the FAA says about that then. the feds over rule whatever local BS law anyone makes anyways. I was never aware that trespassing on privately owned farmland of surrounding landowners was a FAA situation. Nor have I heard of the feds overturning a trespassing violation of privately owned property. Especially when skydivers sign on a dotted line stating they are aware of this...but what do I know?

I'd get the opinion of a lawyer before assuming that the statement you quoted implies prosecution for those that accidentally land off. Landowners in the meetings have stated this to be their intentions...no lawyers needed

I visited this site on a tip from other area skydivers, and was compelled to join today just to post and address the misinformation. I was also in attendance for the entire meeting and I noticed [kcskydiver] left out the most important factor as to why the council tabled the decision for more information. Available to all the public to peruse and take home were copies of a letter from the lifeflight operation based at the airport. Here are quotes from that letter written by Chuck Walker, director of program operations of lifeflight... "During our meeting, we discussed a drop zone that was as close as 200 ft to the lifeflight eagle helipad. This close proximity poses a hazard to the skydivers as well as the the lifeflight crews. Since our meeting, I have spoken with a number of helicopter emergency medical services(HEMS) providers who work in the same area as skydiving centers. They recommend at least a 3,000 foot separation between between helicopters and skydiving operations. The close proximity proposed has the potential of delaying our response because we would not be able to start our aircraft with jumpers in the air." "On Febuary 1st, I met with James Green and Paul and Joanna Eriksmoen at the airport to discuss the proposed skydiving center at the airport and how this operation would impact lifeflight eagle operations. For the reasons discussed at this and our previous meeting , I made it clear that lifeflight eagle does not endorse the skydiving center and we believe it to be the wrong mix for the mission that we support." "Notwithstanding any procedures that we may ultimately agree upon, the skydiving center will pose and additional hazard to our operation at the airport. The Eriksmoen's assure us that they want to be good "neighbors", and I am confident that they are sincere. However, I believe their ability to deliver on these promises may be beyond their control." Also in the packet of information was a copy of the proposed lease agreement between the city and the new skydiving center. One statement caught my eye... " KC Skydiving Center will maintain 3rd party insurance to cover damage to private property if a skydiver lands off the airport property. A skydiver landing on private property is trespassing and the KC Skydiving Center will require the participants to sign a document ackowledging private property landings are prohibited." I understand that those landing out on private property face prosecution from the surrounding land owners.