Regional Affairs
Pilots enthusiastic about safety effort at North Las Vegas
Some 400 area pilots, including numerous members of the Clark County Aviation Association, attended a Jan. 14 safety seminar put on by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. The seminar, “Safe Skies, Good Neighbors,” focused on the special considerations associated with flying at urban airports like North Las Vegas. Topics included noise management, runway safety, emergency procedures, and regulations.
North Las Vegas has been under pressure since two fatal accidents in August 2008 brought a barrage of negative publicity to the field. 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.
January 16, 2009
