Skydiving Operations at VNC

07 Jul Skydiving Operations at VNC

Dear VASI Members,

This past week I was invited to an informal discussion on an issue which will affect you as a user of the Venice Airport.

The commercial tenants of VNC gathered to discuss a request for a parachuting business. This has been requested/proposed since 2009, and the Venice airport has declined the request out of safety concerns. In 2010, an FAA inspector determined that these operations would in fact be safe at VNC. Last year, the FAA directed the manager of Venice Airport to make progress toward accommodating skydiving operations, since this is an aeronautical activity that deserves to be allowed at the airport as much as any other. The implications are that if this federally-funded airport did not allow all aeronautical activities as per the FAA guidance, then funding would be taken away.

The city has hired a consultant to look at and summarize all of the issues involved with skydiving operations at VNC. Dr. David Byers has worked with this issue at several other airports, and is also quite well versed in aviation safety and working with the FAA. I let him know that I was at this meeting to represent the 240 or so members of the Venice Airport flying community. The most effective step for VASI at this time would be to compile the inputs from all of you for Dr. Byers. With that in mind, I’d urge you to jot down you thoughts and concerns, send them to me, and I will forward them for the report. If you wish to stay anonymous, please mention that.

The consultant is planning on holding at least one public meeting to gather insights from the Venice aviation community. I will send you the information on that meeting when it is finalized. In the mean time, please let me know what you are thinking.

Regards,

Larry Taborsky

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