An Open Letter to Congressman Antonio (Tony) Cárdenas
Stupid Is As Stupid Does
Hi Tony,
Whiteman Airport accommodates a wide range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing general aviation aircraft ranging from small two-seat, single-engine propeller aircraft up to much larger and higher capacity turbo-prop or jet aircraft. The airport’s website states, “whether you live in the local area or are visiting the area for business or pleasure and you’d like to learn how to fly, participate in the various events and activities held at the airport throughout the year, or you’d just like to spend some time watching general aviation aircraft in action, you are more than welcome at Whiteman Airport. It’s your airport! Overall, the airport plays a vital role in the nation’s integrated system of thousands of general aviation airports and is also a valuable asset to the local community, serving the diverse constituents of the City of Pacoima, the San Fernando Valley and the broader County of Los Angeles.” (Photo courtesy Department of Public Works, Los Angeles County: dpw.lacounty.gov)
I admit, the title of this editorial opinion looks pretty negative, but let me start by making it very clear that I do not consider you “stupid.” Quite the opposite; a person does not achieve the rank of a Los Angeles City Councilman and now (since 2013) a U.S. Congressman representing California’s 29th Congressional District by being stupid. So, I wonder, why would you suggest that closing a vibrant, economically self-supporting, GA airport basing more than 250 airplanes, having 95,000-plus annual operations, and significantly contributing to your community’s financial welfare would be a good idea? That is just plain stupid.
Let me pause this personal letter for just a moment to clue in our national reader base. California’s 29th Congressional District covers an area that ranges from the central San Fernando Valley (Go Valley Girl!) to the eastern part of the “Valley” and a bit beyond. Two airports reside in this district, Burbank/Hollywood (extensive airline, corporate and GA activity) and Whiteman Airport, which is the topic of this letter and described above. Also know that this writer was born in the San Fernando Valley (Go Valley Boy!) and learned to fly at Van Nuys Airport (hyper-busy GA and corporate activity), which is just slightly outside of Tony’s jurisdiction. I have flown into, trained, based my personal plane, and worked at all three of these airports with thousands of take-offs and landings. Tony put out a press release stating that recent airplane accidents in his district warrant a request to the FAA and Los Angeles City Council to close Whiteman Airport for 30 days to conduct a safety study. Also, mentioned in a Wikipedia write-up about Whiteman Airport, Tony expressed concern over the use of leaded aviation fuel. It is clear that Tony and the LA City Council and LA County Supervisors wish to see Whiteman Airport permanently closed.
Back to my letter, Tony. First, let me thank LA County Supervisors and LA City for all the improvements that have been made at Whiteman Airport (KWHP) over the years. I first used Whiteman (called Whiteman Airpark back then) in the 1950’s. It was a bit of a dump. But over the years, many improvements have been made. Whiteman is now a GA airport that other cities would be proud to have. Having major maintenance services, improved runway, excellent lighting, including visual approach slope lighting, a tower, instrument approaches, an active EAA Chapter with youth programs, and excellent communication interface procedures with the complex Southern California Airspace, Whiteman Airport benefits the entire LA basin area. Frankly, Tony, you have been a contributor in causing and supporting this top-notch economic resource in your District. Thank you! I also applaud your concern over the recent crashes; we should all be concerned. Now enters the “stupid is as stupid does” part of this letter. Why do you think closing Whiteman Airport, for even 30 days, will improve aviation safety? That is just plain stupid.
Tony, airports do not tear themselves from the surface of the earth, reach up into the sky and slap airplanes out of the air. It just does not happen. Airports do not cause airplanes to crash, pilots do. Sure, stuff can happen wherein the pilot may not be fully responsible, but in the end, it is pilot skill, knowledge, currency, and judgment that causes or prevents airplane accidents, not the airport. Are you just playing the same dumb political game preferred by the most mediocre of the political “ruling class?” You know the drill, runaround waving your arms and screaming, “Something Must Be Done!” Sure, you get a lot of news coverage, great PR, and fool some of your constituents into thinking you really care. But then you have to do that “something.” Like most second-rate politicians, this battle cry is used to attack everything but the real problem, primarily intent on making political hay. That is just plain stupid.
Okay Tony, let’s say that closing the airport reduces aviation activity, thereby reducing the risk of an accident. You may have something there, but does that solution really make sense? Let’s try it on other dangerous activities. How about closing roads to prevent auto accidents? How about banning alcohol, often involved in many injuries and death (I think that has been tried)? Or maybe reducing crime and improving crime stats by not prosecuting criminal activity (the LA County approach)? Both Atlanta International and Dallas/Fort Worth International had terrible crashes on the airport caused by wind shear. Did the FAA close those two airports? Nope, they committed to developing a wind shear warning system that is now in use around the world. Let’s go back to closing the Whiteman Airport, even for 30 days. Would that have an effect on safety? You bet, but all negative. FAA required currency flying, like day and night landings, would be stopped. FAA required flight reviews would be stopped. Instrument proficiency checks would be stopped. Pilot proficiency training would be stopped. Student pilot training would be stopped. Aircraft maintenance would be stopped as businesses are forced to close down. Employment of your constituents, engaged in aviation-related activities would be stopped. Local businesses (stores, restaurants, markets) that serve those using the airport would suffer. The more than 40 percent of daily use of Whiteman Airport by visiting aircraft (doing business in your district) would be stopped. Does all of this look like a good idea to you? Of course not! It is just plain stupid.
So, what can you do… how about addressing the problem, not just headlines? Talk to the FAA about their excellent FAA Safety Team and the programs they offer. This team can regularly visit Whiteman with seminars and pilot training. How about asking the FAA to develop a program to teach pilots how to safely land in an urban area, given mechanical failures? This old pilot has been teaching such skills for years! Take a look at page 8 of this issue and see what the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association (AOPA) is doing to improve pilot recurrent training. Maybe call on AOPA for assistance and volunteers… you will get help! How about holding a public forum at Whiteman, and ask local pilots and aviation businesses to offer their suggestions? I hope this does not come as a surprise, but we pilots do not like to crash airplanes! We are the solution, not political hyperbole.
Well Tony, do you still want to close Whiteman Airport? We both know that this is just plain stupid, but I hang on to my belief that you are a smart guy. So, if your solution to a problem is stupid, does that mean you are stupid? Nope, in the political world, it simply means you have an agenda wherein stupid works... for you. Maybe you are in danger of losing your congressional seat and need an emotional cause to whip up the voters? Maybe contributors to your campaign have something to gain by closing the airport (like in the San Francisco Bay area) by converting hugely-valuable airport land into highly profitable condominium developments? Maybe those condominiums will have the votes needed to keep you in power… after all… isn’t that what politics is all about today? But maybe I am the one who is wrong? Maybe you are the one to change political trends and really give a hoot about what is best for your constituents, not just your next campaign? You have a wonderful opportunity here to back away from the “stupid is as stupid does” scenario… take it!
Thanks for your time,
Ed Downs
Sales & Marketing Manager
Editor, Industry & Government Affairs
In Flight USA Magazine
(918) 873-0280
P.S.
Credit is given to the film, “Forest Gump,” and the unknown screen writer who gave Tom Hanks the memorable line, “stupid is as stupid does.” Those five words can teach us all that it is action and results that really count, no matter who or where they come from.
