THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 10, 1996 TAG: 9601100011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Regarding ``A battle for the skies'' (news, Jan. 3): Phil Boyer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is quoted throughout the article as accusing the Department of Defense of mismanaging airspace for bombing and training areas.
Information concerning range use is provided daily to the FAA, but its bureaucracy does little with the information provided. As a military airspace manager, I would like to remind Mr. Boyer and AOPA that military pilots are being trained to fly in a combat environment. The impressive accuracy of our attack pilots (and the number who came home) during Operation Desert Storm wasn't learned as they entered Iraq's airspace. Those skills were honed at bombing ranges and military operating areas right here in the United States.
To compare the needs of recreational pilots flying to Myrtle Beach for the weekend to play golf and the training of an attack pilot learning to stay alive in combat seems a bit ludicrous.
J. D. HEARD
Senior chief air-traffic controller
Virginia Beach, Jan. 4, 1996 by CNB