Uncle Leon
Junior Member
I just hangared my gyro at Tampa Exectutive (Previously Vandenberg). There are no airline operations at VDF. Operations are probably 95% single engine aircraft.
Being a 'Newbie", and recognizing my limitations, (can anyone really have enough training?), I went out Tuesday morning to practice a little- blancing on mains, etc. I went early so as to not interfere with other traffic.
About 7 am or so, two guys come out and met me as I cleared the runway. I was informed that Gyros weren't allowed at VDF. HOLD THE PHONE !!! I was so surprised, I didn't really know how to respond.
"But this is a public airport" I questioned. " It receives funding from the Department of Transportation."...."They can't restrict properly registered aircraft." I questioned.
Nevertheless they were adamant that I could not fly from VDF. Later, the line manager ( a very personable guy who was just caught in the middle) came to my hangar to partly apologize for the restriction and confirm that the Airport authority manager did, in fact, restrict gyros from VDF.
I subscribe to AOPA legal service. When I got home, I called them. They confirmed (to me) that I was, in fact entitled to fly from a public airport. They told me to "cool it" for a few days while they address the problem.
This afternoon, I rec'd a call from AOPA confirming that the issue was solved and that I could fly from VDF. They asked me to call the mgr as a courtesy, which I did. She suggested that the whole issue was just miscommunication, etc. etc. I allowed her to "save face". - Why not? I got what I wanted. Maintaining a cordial relationship is always more profitable than creating ill will.
Viva AOPA. :whoo:
Being a 'Newbie", and recognizing my limitations, (can anyone really have enough training?), I went out Tuesday morning to practice a little- blancing on mains, etc. I went early so as to not interfere with other traffic.
About 7 am or so, two guys come out and met me as I cleared the runway. I was informed that Gyros weren't allowed at VDF. HOLD THE PHONE !!! I was so surprised, I didn't really know how to respond.
"But this is a public airport" I questioned. " It receives funding from the Department of Transportation."...."They can't restrict properly registered aircraft." I questioned.
Nevertheless they were adamant that I could not fly from VDF. Later, the line manager ( a very personable guy who was just caught in the middle) came to my hangar to partly apologize for the restriction and confirm that the Airport authority manager did, in fact, restrict gyros from VDF.
I subscribe to AOPA legal service. When I got home, I called them. They confirmed (to me) that I was, in fact entitled to fly from a public airport. They told me to "cool it" for a few days while they address the problem.
This afternoon, I rec'd a call from AOPA confirming that the issue was solved and that I could fly from VDF. They asked me to call the mgr as a courtesy, which I did. She suggested that the whole issue was just miscommunication, etc. etc. I allowed her to "save face". - Why not? I got what I wanted. Maintaining a cordial relationship is always more profitable than creating ill will.
Viva AOPA. :whoo:
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