Shropshire/AirportKalispell City Council Members,
I would like to comment on the closure of the the Kalispell City Airport.
Don't! Don't even consider it! In this day and age aviation is still a
vital component of a lot of lives. The closure of any airport is a blow to
aviation and the local community. But the closure of such a unique airport
as Kalispell City would be especially severe. The services Kalispell City
Airport provides are jobs, future jobs (pilot training), tourism services,
emergency medical, Young Eagle flights, restaurants, motels, and grocery
services. Aviation conferences have been held at the Outlaw Inn because of
the airport proximity. It's also a gathering place for Kalispell residents
to see general aviation in action. A lot of general aviation pilots use
Kalispell City Airport as a base before flying to Spotted Bear, Meadow
Creek, and Schaffer runways. The cold business attidude of the larger
airports like Glacier does not foster the comradery of the general aviation
pilots. This is the core of flying for general aviation enthusiasts like
myself. And we like to give back to communities. Anything from a Young
Eagle flight, to transporting a medical emergency, to transporting a pet, to
maintaining backcountry runways, to searching for a lost hunter or downed
pilot. Airports are not easily replaced. They take years, and I would say
decades, to become viable. All the hurdles that have been overcome by so
many people and entrepreneurs over the years will have been wasted.
Keep Kalispell City Airport open!
Robert Shropshire
Gallatin Valley Hangar President
Bozeman, MT
shrop@imt.net
580-7773 c