I appreciate Mr. Erickson setting me straight on the small planes flying over Chemainus. (Letter, Cowichan Valley Citizen, Feb. 24)
It seems, according to him, there are none.
Apparently today I didn’t see a small plane cutting its engine overhead while I was in town and starting it again, nor another that flew overhead at about 500 feet shortly afterward, even though they are supposed to fly at 1,000 feet.
I suppose I also wasn’t shocked into nearly falling into my garden bed a couple of years ago when a plane (which had cut its engine so I didn’t hear it) flew low over the house and started it again right above me. Nor, according to you, Mr. Erickson, do they do any manoeuvres over the high school behind us.
We seldom have a day now in good weather when we can sit outside with some peace as the flights are constant and very noisy, but, as I said, according to you they aren’t there.
But you see, in my defence, my husband and I have already been in touch with the airports responsible, both Nanaimo and Victoria (where many of the planes fly from) as well as Transport Canada.
We were told they are allowed to fly and practise in this area, and yes, they are supposed to fly in uninhabited areas, not over towns.
And by the way, I never said the pilot who landed on the highway didn’t do a good job, but wouldn’t a bumpy field have been better than perhaps running into a car? Would you think that was so great?
Bernice Ramsdin
Chemainus