The May 1996 issue of Flight Lines highlights the Colorado Pilots Association's growing membership, which has climbed to nearly 600 members. President Patti Arthur emphasizes the need for a strong organization to combat state legislation threatening general aviation, address airport encroachment issues, and promote noise abatement awareness. The newsletter prominently features concerns about residential development near Colorado airports, particularly noting 1,500 apartments proposed near Centennial Airport and 1,800 homes being built near the airport, with 800 located within noise contours. A significant legislative issue is also flagged regarding a bill that would give property owners within 25 miles of a "busy" airport the right to determine if scheduled air service will be permitted.
The newsletter includes a thoughtful letter from CPA member Mark Kolber addressing airport community tensions, advocating for civil discourse between homeowners and aviation interests rather than demonization of either side. The issue also promotes volunteer opportunities with the A.L.I.E. Airforce, a humanitarian program that uses volunteer pilots to transport bloodhounds to help locate missing children in rural Colorado areas.
Key Topics
- CPA membership growth to nearly 600 members
- State legislation threatening general aviation with increased costs and regulation
- Airport encroachment and residential development near Colorado airports
- Noise abatement education initiatives
- Proposed legislative bill regarding property owner rights near busy airports
- Community relations and dialogue between pilots and airport neighbors
- Volunteer opportunities with A.L.I.E. Airforce humanitarian program
Events & Activities
- Air Fair '96 - Two-day event featuring Civil Air Patrol cadets instructing potential pilots using Fantasy of Flight simulator bank; attracted approximately 2,000 young people
- A.L.I.E. Airforce Volunteer Program - Ongoing volunteer pilot opportunities to transport bloodhounds to rural areas for missing children search operations
Member News
- Membership Renewals: Irving Friedman (Lakewood), Daniel Stam (Englewood), Donald Hopkins (Aurora), Betty Costa (Crawford), Don Vander Ploeg (Denver), Dave Gordon (Broomfield), William Burkard (Berthoud), Neil Keddington (Bennett), Karen Lemke (Brighton), Roy Pogue (Littleton), Vivian Wedelstedt (Denver), Charles Montez (Pueblo), Carl Bratfisch (Colorado Springs), Ian Hastie (Arvada), Jurgen Last (Cascade), Pat Murphy (Morrison), Eugene Boortz (Fort Collins), Joseph Fox (Golden), David Robertson (Louisville), Vincent Lawrence (Aurora), Barbara Fey (Littleton), Cleon Biter (Longmont), Clancey Maloney (Colorado Springs)
- Harry Combs Recognition: Colorado aviation pioneer Harry Combs to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame on July 20, 1996
- Volunteer Recognition: CPA member Paul Meyers coordinating A.L.I.E. Airforce volunteer pilot program; multiple CPA members volunteering in recent months
