Regional Affairs

'Safe skies, good neighbors' key to  North Las Vegas airport

By AOPA ePublishing staff

After two fatal accidents in August 2008 near Nevada’s North Las Vegas airport, AOPA, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, and the local general aviation community came together to address local concerns about aviation safety.

AOPA and the foundation are continuing that effort. On Jan. 14, the foundation will host a special seminar “Safe Skies, Good Neighbors” to educate pilots about the special considerations of flying in urban areas like North Las Vegas. The seminar is scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel in North Las Vegas. It will cover traffic pattern issues, maneuvering flight, emergency procedures, and neighborhood-friendly flying.

AOPA’s Vice President of Regional Affairs Greg Pecoraro and Senior Director of Airports Heidi Williams will host a meeting at 6 p.m. in the same location with local pilots and the Clark County Aviation Association. The goal is to discuss ways to foster positive airport-community relationships.

Immediately following the accidents, AOPA and the foundation explained the safety of GA to the media and surrounding community members. The foundation also sent an e-mail to 3,000 pilots in the Las Vegas area, encouraging them to complete its online safety courses.

Local pilots and AOPA members, including AOPA Airport Support Network Volunteer Kathleen Snaper, attended public meetings in the weeks following the accidents to calm the community’s fears.

Then, in December, Snaper and the Clark County Aviation Association hosted an airport open house and invited the public to learn more about their airport. Hundreds attended the event, which featured aircraft displays and safety information.

AOPA encourages all pilots to continue the positive momentum generated by the open house—attend the meeting and safety seminar and show your support for safe, friendly flying.

January 8, 2009