Letter from Felix Quast

Dear Dave:

In your December 2012/January 2013 issue regarding the article on “Landing On Private-Use Airports,” I (would) have to say that yes, I do agree that you should get permission first. Private airports are slowly disappearing and this is a great loss to the wonderful sport of flying. Within the area I live, we had seven (7) private strips within seven (7) miles of each other. Unfortunately, due to death, relocation, and age, we lost three (3) within the past year.

I have had a private airstrip since the 1970s and have had numerous visitors. Some of which have been friends, strangers, as well as curious pilots who have just stopped by. I will be the first to say that it has hills, bumps and occasionally water settling.

Not everyone is a “Bob Hoover” and flys twins or high-performance aircraft. Some of us pilots enjoy flying Cubs, Aeroncas, Tailorcrafts, (vintage) Cessnas, and other aging aircraft. I am not a bush pilot, but I do know my aircraft well enough where I can take off and land confidently on small, private strips, along with many other pilots I know.

In my opinion, if you need a 3,000 foot tar runway, you should stick to that comfort zone and not venture into these small private strips. But, if you partake in the flying that we enjoy, then I suggest you take the time to visit as many private strips as you can and meet new friends, share your stories, and enjoy the “sport” of flying!

There are many lawyers out there trying to earn a living, but if I was always to worry about getting into a lawsuit, I would never get out of bed in the morning.

I ask myself, is it really worth it sometimes to constantly groom the grass and remove the snow, or just fly with skis. It’s year-round upkeep, but my answer without hesitation, DAMN RIGHT IT IS!

Felix Quast
Winsted, Minnesota

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