In my opinion Joe Greblo saved our flying site from certain FAA
shutdown by calling the Burbank Air Traffic Control before we flew
Sunday April 13th. I arrived at that conclusion based on what
happened at Mount Sentinel in Montana.
http://www.missoula.com/news/node/405
"..In one instance, a hang glider did not call the airport control
tower before flying, as has been a longstanding courtesy. On that
particular day, a pilot flew into the unrestricted air space over
Mount Sentinel, not knowing hang gliders fly there, and came so
close to the glider the pilot had to take evasive action to avoid a
collision."
"..the past few months, UM has closed the site to hang gliders.."
We had 2 documented close calls That day in the Victor airway above
7000' MSL, one being 100 feet from a plane. As I understand it a
3rd incident is yet unidentified. It could have been with that
unidentified flying object observed from the LZ at 5:30pm and not a
hang glider. We could have had more incidents if not for the
proactive advisement on the Kagel Kam webpage and on the ride up
the hill to be extremely watchful and to report all approaching
aircraft on the 147.555 club frequenecy.
Missoula was shut down for months and without Joe's call I believe
Sylmar would have been too and we would be driving to Crestline or
Elsinore to fly. With Joe's oversight on the following Thursday we
managed to completely avoid the Victor airway even with thermals
predicted for 8000' MSL. Imagine a second incident in just 4 days.
I think Joe's call turns that glider symbol on the sectional chart
into a blinking transponder signal.
So hats off to Joe Greblo. If your a beer drinker tip one for him
as well.
Doug Martens
