CAA: GA News, "Local Airport Remains Closed After 9-11"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

Local Airport Remains Closed After 9-11
ABC 7 WJLA-TV Washington (DC)


CLINTON, MD - It's not the most well-known airport.  But Hyde Field in
Prince George's County is the 'only' one that remains closed following
the September 11th attack. And the big question is why?

The air at Hyde Field used to buzz with the sounds of takeoffs and
landings, as many as 200 of them a day.  Now the only sound is the wind
whistling across a dormant runway.

The team of airport mechanics, which has dwindled from 12 people to just
four has little to do, but dream about Hyde Field reopening. When that
happens, it will be the last airport in the country to do so.

"It's a distinction we're not really crazy about," said Steve Provocha.
Pilot Provocha is the airport's security coordinator.

"I am also a flight instructor, at least I used to be. See if i can
remember how.  Of course I received no income from that since september
the ninth," said Provocha.

Provocha says since the attacks, the airport has taken new security
measures to meet new federal regulations.  He says some measures now in
place include: allowing only tenants to fly planes in and out of their
home airports. The pilots must also provide a copy of identification and
fingerprints for a background check and attend a briefing on flight
security procedures.

And each plane is now equipped with a throttle lock or a propeller lock
to keep would-be thieves away. 

But while the FAA this weekend gave the clear for takeoff at two other
local airfields, College Park and Potomac Airfield in Ft. Washington, it
rejected Hyde Field, saying management had not implemented all security
requirements. 

And with each day that passes, Larry Kelley's flight school sinks
further into the red.

"I had put some money back because we were doing so well and I kept it
and so that's what I've been surviving on with the money I set aside,"
said Kelley.


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