Harold B. Gilbert, Major, USAF, Ret.
114 E. Davis Blvd #12
Tampa, Fl 33606
To Whom It May Concern: January 15, 2008
This letter supports the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority?’s (HCAA) attempts to comply with all safety regulations, and to urge the HCAA to fully fund and implement all planned future growth and expansion services at Peter O. Knight (KTPF) airport.
As a Davis Islands resident, as an airline pilot for FedEx, as an enthusiastic general aviation pilot, as an aircraft owner, and a hangar lessee at POK, I want to encourage the HCAA to make the commitment to not only Davis Islands residents, but the entire general public of central Florida to make POK airport a safe, rich, thriving, productive part of our community. This begins by making the investments necessary to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations to extend the length of the runway to ensure the runway safety zone mandated by law. This extension has many benefits.
- By shifting the runway 175 feet further south it will greatly increase the margin of safety of landing on runway 21 by aircraft not having to fly so low over the industrial storage area northeast of the runway.
- The runway safety zone will definitely make landing on runway 21 safer at night or in inclement weather as the end of the runway is very close to the channel.
- This displaced threshold will also make landing on runway 21 safer for aircraft flying over the numerous boats and watercraft that traverse the channel everyday.
- The safety factor of taking off of runway 3 is also enhanced by beginning the takeoff roll further south so that aircraft can attain a higher altitude over the storage tanks on Hookers Point.
Just as important as making the necessary changes to the runway without sacrificing utility are the investments necessary to make the airport a thriving commercial entity. More hangars mean more people spending more time and more money on Davis Islands?’ many commercial enterprises. The proposed greenway, POK airport, the Davis Island Yacht Club, the boat ramps, and the green spaces all around the airport are designed to do just that by bringing more people to Davis Islands to celebrate and enjoy all the aspects of our great way of life. A way of life that has included the airport and all its activities for many decades. All commercial businesses on Davis Islands should be supporting development at the airport since according to AOPA, studies have shown that for every dollar spent by aviation or aviation related businesses, over $1.52 is returned to the community in economic activity.
I believe the HCAA should consider this time in our rich aviation history an opportunity to make the sound judgments to make Peter O. Knight airport the crown jewel that serves not only Davis Islands, but the City of Tampa as well. I strongly urge the HCAA to have the courage to make the right decisions for our airport that benefits so many in our community.
Harold B. Gilbert, Major, USAF, Ret.
114 E. Davis Blvd #12
Tampa, Fl 33606
To Whom It May Concern: January 15, 2008
This letter supports the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority?’s (HCAA) attempts to comply with all safety regulations, and to urge the HCAA to fully fund and implement all planned future growth and expansion services at Peter O. Knight (KTPF) airport.
As a Davis Islands resident, as an airline pilot for FedEx, as an enthusiastic general aviation pilot, as an aircraft owner, and a hangar lessee at POK, I want to encourage the HCAA to make the commitment to not only Davis Islands residents, but the entire general public of central Florida to make POK airport a safe, rich, thriving, productive part of our community. This begins by making the investments necessary to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations to extend the length of the runway to ensure the runway safety zone mandated by law. This extension has many benefits.
- By shifting the runway 175 feet further south it will greatly increase the margin of safety of landing on runway 21 by aircraft not having to fly so low over the industrial storage area northeast of the runway.
- The runway safety zone will definitely make landing on runway 21 safer at night or in inclement weather as the end of the runway is very close to the channel.
- This displaced threshold will also make landing on runway 21 safer for aircraft flying over the numerous boats and watercraft that traverse the channel everyday.
- The safety factor of taking off of runway 3 is also enhanced by beginning the takeoff roll further south so that aircraft can attain a higher altitude over the storage tanks on Hookers Point.
Just as important as making the necessary changes to the runway without sacrificing utility are the investments necessary to make the airport a thriving commercial entity. More hangars mean more people spending more time and more money on Davis Islands?’ many commercial enterprises. The proposed greenway, POK airport, the Davis Island Yacht Club, the boat ramps, and the green spaces all around the airport are designed to do just that by bringing more people to Davis Islands to celebrate and enjoy all the aspects of our great way of life. A way of life that has included the airport and all its activities for many decades. All commercial businesses on Davis Islands should be supporting development at the airport since according to AOPA, studies have shown that for every dollar spent by aviation or aviation related businesses, over $1.52 is returned to the community in economic activity.
I believe the HCAA should consider this time in our rich aviation history an opportunity to make the sound judgments to make Peter O. Knight airport the crown jewel that serves not only Davis Islands, but the City of Tampa as well. I strongly urge the HCAA to have the courage to make the right decisions for our airport that benefits so many in our community.
Harold B. Gilbert, Major, USAF, Ret.
