Lindbergh Horrors

“America’s Finest City has America’s worst airport,” so stated Capt. Tom Carroll, representing the Air Line Pilots Assn. at the public comment period at City Council on Sept. 11. City Councilman Bruce Henderson then asked, “Are you suggesting that people shouldn’t fly into that airport, that it should be shut down tomorrow morning?” Capt. Carroll replied, “I don’t want to comment on that.”

Three commercial airline pilots, with over 100 years of flying experience between them, spoke that day. Their testimony was alarming as they cited examples of safety problems associated with Lindbergh Field.

It is imperative that the public recognize that many standards that are required of a major airport can’t be met at Lindbergh. For instance, the natural terrain surrounding Lindbergh will always preclude pilots from being able to have a standard, precision approach into this airport. The buildings that have been permitted in the approach and take-off areas further impact this problem. The short runway, that is further shortened by the steep incline that is required on landing, presents a tremendous hazard. Bringing an airplane to an abrupt stop on a short runway requires skilled flying procedures and some precise work of the braking, hydraulic and reverse systems. There are inadequate safety zones at either end of the runway that present more safety problems.

These are just some of the basic problems associated with Lindbergh Field. The public and the elected officials must listen to these commercial airline pilots and come to the realization that Lindbergh Field, although convenient, has increasing dangers that cannot be remedied. Safety is an issue that we must not allow our elected officials to ignore.

ANN T. JACKSON

San Diego