Belmopan, Belize 7 April (Belizean.com) An F.A.A. certified pilot has called for the closure of the Belmopan (capital of Belize) airstrip following the erection of elevated concrete structure and water tower 300 feet from the threshold of the runway.
Mr. Stuart G. Young Airline transport pilot LIC# 223-0464 Federal Aviation Administration U.S.A. wrote this week in a letter to the editor of the Amandala Newspaper that: "About one year ago, I wrote a letter to the Editor of the Reporter. The letter was concerning the Belmopan airstrip and construction of a bar. The letter was heavily edited, so that the first three paragraphs were omitted. It had no technical merit and made little sense. I now will try your newspaper as I will sign and reveal my name as I did in the Reporter.
"My concern is the construction of a bar approximately 300 feet from the threshold of the runway 11 (110 degrees) on the north side of the highway. The bar and property are owned by Mr. and Mrs. Botes. He works at the Ministry of Natural Resources and his wife works at the Belmopan Market (self-employed). The Botes family have the right to open a bar, but not there. "
Mr. Stuart G. Young Airline transport pilot LIC# 223-0464 Federal Aviation Administration U.S.A. wrote this week in a letter to the editor of the Amandala Newspaper that: "About one year ago, I wrote a letter to the Editor of the Reporter. The letter was concerning the Belmopan airstrip and construction of a bar. The letter was heavily edited, so that the first three paragraphs were omitted. It had no technical merit and made little sense. I now will try your newspaper as I will sign and reveal my name as I did in the Reporter.
"My concern is the construction of a bar approximately 300 feet from the threshold of the runway 11 (110 degrees) on the north side of the highway. The bar and property are owned by Mr. and Mrs. Botes. He works at the Ministry of Natural Resources and his wife works at the Belmopan Market (self-employed). The Botes family have the right to open a bar, but not there. "
"In my last notice I pointed out that I spoke to Mr. Manzanero, Mr. Contreras and Mr. Dominguez concerning the building. Mr. Contreras warned me not to call his name without his permission. How dare he! He is the Chief Civil Aviation Officer and he advised that I draw notice to the Belize Airport Authority. Poor fellow, he claims he has to be "dancing" to keep his job. Appears there is not much sleep for him.
"Whatever, construction has continued and now concrete is part of the building. This now makes the airstrip/airport very dangerous. Not just for landing aircraft on runway 11, but aircraft departing opposite, runway 29 (290 degrees). Any overshoot across the highway may cause casualties. About fifteen years ago, a landing Guatemalan Beechcraft Baron got tangled in high voltage wires on low approach in fog to runway 11. Luckily, there were no deaths.
"If Mr. Contreras is correct, or passing the buck, the fact that the Belize Airport Authority may have jurisdiction over airports and airstrips is nonsense. The Authority must be dissolved. Whoever set up the authority begs many questions. Was it set up to make the Hunt, Espat, Roe and Mena families wealthy? Can GST recover all revenue?
"With the new administration, all questions become even more complex. Why did the Prime Minister appoint a Minister of Civil Aviation? And why did he not leave Civil Aviation to Transport under the no-nonsense Melvin Hulse? Is dissolving or writing the role of Authority something that may end up in the courts?
"Until the building at Belmopan is removed, both Belmopan and Placencia airstrips should be closed."
"Whatever, construction has continued and now concrete is part of the building. This now makes the airstrip/airport very dangerous. Not just for landing aircraft on runway 11, but aircraft departing opposite, runway 29 (290 degrees). Any overshoot across the highway may cause casualties. About fifteen years ago, a landing Guatemalan Beechcraft Baron got tangled in high voltage wires on low approach in fog to runway 11. Luckily, there were no deaths.
"If Mr. Contreras is correct, or passing the buck, the fact that the Belize Airport Authority may have jurisdiction over airports and airstrips is nonsense. The Authority must be dissolved. Whoever set up the authority begs many questions. Was it set up to make the Hunt, Espat, Roe and Mena families wealthy? Can GST recover all revenue?
"With the new administration, all questions become even more complex. Why did the Prime Minister appoint a Minister of Civil Aviation? And why did he not leave Civil Aviation to Transport under the no-nonsense Melvin Hulse? Is dissolving or writing the role of Authority something that may end up in the courts?
"Until the building at Belmopan is removed, both Belmopan and Placencia airstrips should be closed."
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