Burt Street family enjoys sights and sounds of skydivers

To the Editor,My family and I live on Burt Street, neighbors to Skydive Tecumseh. For 15 years I’ve watched and listened to the plane carrying and dropping off jumpers every spring, summer, and fall. It was with great sadness that I learned of the plans made by new airport owner, Andrew Aalto, to stop all skydiving activity at Al Meyers Airport.Mr Aalto states in his explanation that “many Tecumseh residents have voiced noise and safety concerns associated with the skydiving aircraft to us.” This is an arbitrary statement at best, and I’m sure if Mr. Aalto is truly motivated by the concerns of Tecumseh residents, he would seek a broader sample for his survey. I, along with 100 percent of my friends and family love the sound of that plane, we look forward to hearing and seeing it every April. As for the safety of the plane I cannot attest, but I ask Mr. Aalto to present any example of safety infractions concerning the skydiving aircraft to the public.Mr. Aalto goes on to state that “area pilots wanting to base their aircraft here and other pilots wanting to use our airport have been hesitant to do so because of challenges associated with maintaining safe distances from skydiving traffic.” This is nothing more than hearsay for which we are being asked to take Mr. Aalto’s word. The airport may be avoided by other pilots due to the runways deteriorating condition, layout, or faded markings, or there may not be much demand for airport access. Conflicts between Tecumseh Skydiving and other pilots has not been an issue for 51 years and would likely continue to be a non-issue for well trained pilots with radios.The explanation continues, “While the airport meets all MDOT requirements for building and tree setbacks that impact visibility for airplanes both in the air and on the ground, the residential and business community has grown around the airport in such a manner that sustaining a safe parachute zone for all pilots, passengers, parachutists and the public is extremely difficult.” Again, There is no example given that supports the idea that the skydiving operation is unsafe. Skydive Tecumseh has been operating in the same place for over 50 years. There are not many newer developments in the area and the newest residential and business areas around the airport are years old. These developments and Skydive Tecumseh have been peacefully co-existing for ages, without a safety related incident that I’m aware of.Mr. Aalto touts the fact that he will house 20 airplanes at the airport. He also announced that two new businesses will operate on the site. He does not go into any detail about the economic impact these businesses will have on our community, let alone the economic impact of removing Skydive Tecumseh from the airport.We know that thousands of people come to this area every year, to work, jump, and spend their money in our town as a direct result of Skydive Tecumseh operating at the airport. I would like to know if Biomaterialize LLC, Heinen Avionics, and a hangar full of airplanes will bring that many people and their disposable income to our town.It sickens me to think about what this man is doing to our community, the employees of Skydive Tecumseh, and the family that owns it. Mr. Aalto should be ashamed of himself, unfortunately for us all, I’m sure he isn’t.William FultsTecumseh