Re: Small Airstrips vs Wind Turbines, Nov. 19.
I sympathize with the Billing family and its attempts to distance its airstrip from wind turbines.
Communication towers have made flying more hazardous, and with the addition of high towers with moving blades, the situation will become more hazardous, especially if they are in the proximity to airports and airstrips.
A few wind towers might not seem important to pilots, given the open landscape around them, but that may not be the case. Most pilots are aware of perception problems associated with towers and give them a wide berth. However, other factors can compromise this safety margin.
Wind companies are not required to comply with aviation safety and the federal government is doing little to discourage this.
Protective zoning has been left up to municipalities. Beyond that, litigation is the only alternative if a wind company refuses to respect a particular situation.
In the case of the Billings’ little airstrip, it would appear that power, money and government indifference are not in their favour.
Only 150 airports are protected across Canada against wind farm intrusion by the Aeronautics Act and, for the most part, they will be at the larger metropolitan centres.
Everybody else is at the mercy of wind company whims. That could all change in an instant if one airplane and a turbine tower were to disappear in a large fireball and the aftermath of finger-shaking and hand-wringing erupts, but sadly, that will be too late. Aviation’s history seems destined to continue suffering from lack of foresight and care.
Earle Johnson, Chatham-Kent
Windsor Star
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Filed under: Uncategorized
