Coms

Lobster states

I just finished reading Jill W. Tallman’s article “After the Checkride: Fresh Catch” (July 2020 Flight Training) and was surprised she listed New York and Connecticut but nothing about Massachusetts.

Massachusetts is the second largest lobster fishery in the country after Maine. I’m an avid noncommercial lobster and shipwreck scuba diver and used to work in a fish market in college, so it’s a bit of a passion. I’m an airplane single-engine land and glider pilot and always enjoy her articles, so just had to reach out and tease her.

Jim Sullivan
Groton, Massachusetts

I just wanted to let you know that you left New Hampshire off of your list of lobster states. We are second only to Maine, which is right next to us. I get to watch the lobster boats hauling up the lobster traps on the ocean right in front of my condo.

Keith F. Lauder
Hampton, New Hampshire

Editor’s note: New Englanders are clearly passionate about their lobsters.

Hold for release

I just finished reading your excellent analysis of departing IFR from nontowered airports (“Instrument Tip: Uncontrolled Departure,” July 2020 Flight Training). I did my instrument training at Potomac (VKX), a nontowered airport inside the Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone, and remember being puzzled by receiving “hold for release” as part of my clearance over the phone—only to learn later from my CFII that “hold for release” still permitted departing VFR and opening the IFR flight plan once airborne.

Chris M. Front
Washington, D.C.

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