Nas Willow Grove

Taxpayers likely to pay for airport in Horsham

The Bucks County Aviation Authority and supporters of converting the former Willow Grove NAS into a general aviation airport are omitting some very important facts in their presentation to the local community.

According to Vitaly Guyha, a finance professor at Emery-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, "Seventy-five percent of all U.S. general aviation airports lose money and stay solvent only with cash from local taxpayers."

The Federal Aviation Administration charges a tax on every airline ticket sold in the U.S. under its airport improvement program. These funds are supposed to be used for airport projects and the air traffic control system. According to FAA estimates in 2009, 2,400 airports received approximately $10 billion while handling fewer than 80 flights per day. Some general aviation airports operate with an average of two or three flights per day. Supporters of a new local airport may say that little or no air traffic at the former NAS facility should be seen as a positive by local residents. What they won't say is that it won't be long before Horsham taxpayers are taxed to support police, fire and other safety requirements at the facility. The FAA funds the majority of costs with buying airports but doesn't fund the same share of operating expenses at underutilized facilities.

Isn't the real question though, why should the citizens of Horsham be forced to lose control of 10 percent of our town and related economic potential to subsidize the hobby of a few individuals? Many of the people involved in the Save the Airport Group don't even live in Horsham. Shouldn't the FAA be more concerned with fixing the problems at commercial airports that serve millions more fliers than the few at general aviation airports?

Dennis P.

Irish Brigade at Gettysburg Part 3: Licensed Battlefield Guide ...

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide John Fitzpatrick is the host for our series on the Irish Brigade. He is standing by the George Weikert Farm, which is located on Cemetery Ridge near the junction of United States Avenue (part of which is in the foreground) and Sedgwick Avenue (out of sight behind the buildings, and running from right to left (south to north).

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide John J. Fitzpatrick, Jr., Esq. is host for a series on the Irish Brigade at Gettysburg. John’s interest in Gettysburg began in centennial year of 1963 when he arranged a trip to the Battlefield for the Villanova University Student History Club. That sparked a continuing interest in the American Civil War. Throughout his travels in the Service, work and some vacations he has been to Civil War sites coast to coast from Fort Point under the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California to the home, church and College of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in Brunswick, Maine. He is now entering upon his eighth year of Guiding at Gettysburg.

His professional career began in 1966 as a United States Marine Corps Officer, Tank Platoon Commander then Pilot. He served a combat tour of duty in Vietnam completing 140 missions in the A6 Intruder for which he was awarded 9 Air Medals and Vietnam Service Awards. Captain Fitzpatrick was Honorably Discharged from Active Duty in 1971 whereupon he entered law school. Upon graduation in 1974 he began a 32 year career as Corporate Counsel for Gulf Oil and Chevron Corporation retiring in 2006. He is a Member in good standing before the highest Courts in Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia and California.

Contemporaneously with his first legal job, he transferred to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and later the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He served as an Active Reservist Pilot/Forward Air Controller/Squadron and Group Training Officer at the Willow Grove NAS, PA from 1974-1984. He was transferred to HQ USAF at the Pentagon in Legislative Liaison from 1985-1993 and finally as a JAG Officer reporting to the USAF TJAG and General Counsel from 1993-1997 based on his civilian expertise to assist the Air Force with its new Arbitration and Mediation Programs. Colonel Fitzpatrick received 3 Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal and other Awards before transferring to the Retired Reserve in 1997. He now divides his time amongst Guiding at Gettysburg, certain volunteer Veterans’ activities and serving as an Arbitrator in commercial, construction and securities cases.

The Leatherneck

Guide to military installations

The Naval Institute guide to the ships and aircraft of the U.S. fleet

Department of Defense appropriations for ...

Willow Grove Park