REFLECTOR:Re:Velocity Europe

[reflector@tvbf.org]

In a message dated 8/6/03 12:36:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
baker.k@comcast.net writes:

Milt
><>We have very strong regulations under Far 23 in most countries of
><>Europe:
><>
><>One of them is noise-level.   Therefore we have to install
><sophisticated
><>exhaust-systems with silencers.

Another "Reality Check" of how great our Country is.
  
A few years ago I was flying my Velocity back form Oshkosh with my son asleep 
in the back seat.  I was in the middle of a 3.5 hr. leg @10K with "George" 
doing the flying in the middle of nowhere (not important) when I had a reality 
check.  I thought how fortunate I was to be able to build my own aircraft at 
home with little hassle from our government, fly said aircraft almost anywhere 
with little hassle from our government, and be able to earn the means to do it. 
 That led into the realization that usually most of my problems a lot of 
others wish they had, and how selfish we sometimes are.  

Excuse me for saying overseas Velocity Brothers and Sisters (Love ya all and 
host you in a second); but.

Could you imagine having to hand the keys to your new Velocity over to some 
Government "test pilot" to do the first flight and flight testing.  What is the 
big deal with "noise" in Europe?  How many private aircraft are there flying 
around to create such noise?  Seems like just another road block to prevent 
private aircraft ownership and keep the peasants out of the Kings air.  I've 
been to the Paris Airshow.  There is little general aviation, and they surly 
don't know how to put on an air show.  The most exciting thing to do is to watch 
the Russian ejection seat demo (they don't do it every year though).

There is a lot of Government bashing going on by people (including me 
sometimes) and we gripe about our aircraft taxes, if any, but we are fortunate to 
live in the USA.  However; I still don't buy the "I'm form the Government and 
here to help you" crap.

TEC