CAA: GA News, "Small Airport Businesses Suffer As Ban Continues"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tuesday, October 16, 2001

Small Airport Businesses Suffer As Ban Continues
Small Aviation Companies Get No Federal Aid, But Planes Still Grounded
The Denver Channel - ABC News Channel 7, Denver (CO)


CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Small aviation businesses are suffering because of
continuing FAA restrictions on non-commercial flying, 7NEWS reported.

Aircraft and blimps used for news and traffic reporting, banner-towing and
sightseeing remain grounded.

FAA officials say that the restrictions are for safety's sake, but the
limitations are hurting local businesses that depend on small airports.

Small aviation companies said that they don't understand how they represent
any kind of threat.

"The majority of the airplanes are still grounded," Centennial Airport's
Robert Olislagers said.

"We've got a number of businesses here on the airport that are really badly
affected by it," he said.

"The first 10 days (after the Sept. 11 attacks) were very bad. We were
practically grounded entirely"

The skies have slowly been opening up again, but not at general aviation
airports like Centennial.

"This area is still a security concern, therefore they have not lifted the
restrictions yet"

Flight schools have taken one of the biggest hits, 7NEWS reported.

"We actually did layoffs. We laid off employees -- all the instructors.
Didn't have any students to teach," Larry Ramsdell of the Aspen Flying Club
said.

The airport is also a base for planes and helicopters that provide special
services like traffic reporting and news gathering.

"They're all grounded, probably with losses of 80 to 90 percent of their
regular income," Olislagers said.

Commercial airlines have received financial aid from the federal government,
but small airport businesses are fending for themselves so far.

"If (restrictions) stay on much longer, I think some may have to close
doors," Ramsdell said.

"I didn't really want a bailout, I just want to get back into business," he
said.

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