Dear Editor:
Speaking as a member of the aviation community, I am in favour of putting up airport security fencing.
No one should be walking on or near the edge of the airstrip. It is an airstrip not a walking path.
Speaking as the wife of a pilot, there are times when we are landing in Osoyoos that we have to wait for people to get out of the way, to get off the airstrip, and to get away from the edges of the airstrip. This causes us to go around to come in again, putting our lives in danger by this unnecessary manoeuvre.
Judging by the looks on the faces on or beside the airstrip, I know that they did not hear us coming in to land. What would happen if we blew a tire upon landing and pulled to the side off the airstrip?
What would happen if a dog suddenly got off leash and came running into the path of an airplane?
An airplane propeller is unforgiving, people. No one or nothing will survive coming into contact with one that is moving.
The Osoyoos airport must be safely maintained, and security fencing is standard operating procedure.
The airstrip is vital to firefighting and air ambulance access. The next time someone needs to be airlifted by ambulance, or wildfires threaten, people will be glad that the Osoyoos airport is properly maintained and secure.
Colette Pierce
Osoyoos, B.C.
