AGAZINE - Midwest Flyer

at lower altitudes in an air show. Air
show performers are also observed
by the FAA every time they fly at an
air show, again demonstrating some
level of competency. There is no FAA
aerobatic instructor certification,
so asking these questions will give
you some level of confidence in
your potential instructor’s aerobatic
background.
Once you have found the right
school and instructor, the training
Newspaper Columnist Editorializes
On What Happens When A
Community Does Not Support
Its Local Airport
In a June 19, 2010 editorial,
Faribault County Register
columnist, Chuck Hunt, expressed
his dismay over the negative publicity
his community of Blue Earth,
Minnesota, got over interviews of
local citizens and officials conducted
by St. Paul television station, KSTP,
which were aired May 13. This was
the third negative story aired by the
station in less than a year, slamming
general aviation.
The reporter interviewed a farmer
who owns land adjacent to the Blue
Earth airport, who commented on the
infrequency of takeoffs and landings,
followed by an interview by a Blue
Earth city councilman who commented
that expanding the airport based on
such infrequent use, doesn’t make any
sense to anyone with any “math skills.”
Hunt stated that comments
like those do not lend well to a
community.
“It sure seems to make Blue Earth
look bad,” stated Hunt. “They seem to
be saying there are no planes flying in
or out of the airport here, and the city
is simply greedy, trying to latch onto
money to fix up an airport that doesn’t
need it. Wonder what the average
Twin Cities resident thought of Blue
Earth after seeing that broadcast?
What kind of a small, hick town do
they think we are?
“My guess is they think it is one
you receive will not only make you a
safer pilot, but you'll have fun in the
process and that is ultimately what
this training should be about. If you
are interested in finding out more
about spin training, unusual attitude
training or aerobatic training, feel
free to contact me at Morey Airplane
Company by calling 608-836-1711.
You can also find a brief video of
what aerobatic training is like by
visiting www.moreyairport.com.
that has a small, unused airport that
doesn’t need to be improved. The truth
is, it is much, much more than that.”
Hunt notes how the questions
the reporter asked were loaded, and
designed to get a predetermined
response, and how the reporter did not
use the interviews of knowledgeable
people whose responses did not fit the
story the reporter wanted to air.
Hunt agreed that the story
was obviously slanted. “From a
journalist's perspective, it lacked a
EDITOR’S NOTE: Michael Love
has been a flight instructor and charter
pilot for Morey Airplane Company since
2004. He began flying at age 15, and
aerobatics at age 16. He has been
competing in aerobatics since 1990,
and flew his first air show in 1991 in a
Pitts Special S2-B. He currently flys a
Yak 52 in air shows in Wisconsin and
Illinois. Love holds SEL, MEL, CFII, and
A&P Certificates.
To contact Michael Love:
michael_c_love@tds.net or Morey
Airplane Company at 608-836-1711. q
lot of objectivity,” stated Hunt. Hunt
tried to set the record straight with
his readers by noting the reasons for
improvements at the airport, and that
no individual tax dollars are included
in the funding.
“If Blue Earth is to own assets
such as parks, buildings, streets and
airports, they need to be maintained,”
stated Hunt.
To see the podcast of the KSTP
story, go to: kstp.com/news/stories/
S1559234.shtml?cat=1
q
From Design To Installation, Our Team Is Here To Help
You With Your Aircraft Interior.
701-258-5024
Contact - Cemone Oberg
Bismarck, North Dakota
Interior Design for Aircraft
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 13