The false promise of flight schools and our airport

After talking myself out of writing this letter many times, here we go. Fernandina Beach (FHB) has a problem that's bigger than Paid Parking, over development and flooding combined.

Most residents call it "Airplane Noise", the noise is the symptom, not the problem. The core problem is the Flight Schools from Jacksonville that use FHB airport to teach their clients a skill set that 54% will never be gainfully employed as an airline pilot after graduation.

There are many reasons for this, poor academia, bad behavior, entitlement and genetics, are a few. Thousands of students pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, many financed by Sallie Mae at 15% for a 12 to 15 month course to become an Airline Pilot, upon graduation they have 250 flight hours, but are required to have 1500 hours before they can take the Airline Transport Pilot exam which is required.

How do they get those hours, primarily instructing other students headed for the same dead end. Now be advised that not all flight schools are bad, but after two years of observation and research, I have determined that they are all about the same.

The owners of the schools and the new instructors are interested in one thing, MONEY, and there's nothing wrong with that. Unless others suffer because of it, after graduation these new aviators learn they cannot support themselves on instructor wages and over time they give up on their dream and enter the workplace where ever they can, but the Sallie Mae doesn't go away or moms and dads are out 125k-200k and still supporting these children.

A social disappointment opportunity for the whole family. So what is all that have to do with the noise at FHB airport?

These are airplanes and student/instructor pilots that are driving them around and around over Amelia, building those missing hours and learning that dead end skill set.

Don't forget that its about the money, the airplanes typically are old, cheap and loud, they cut the corner, stop the climb and ignore the guidelines to get in as many laps as they can as quick as they can and the worst part is "THEY DONT PAY A PENNY TO USE OUR AIRPORT".

Well, it's a public airport and federally funded so there's nothing we can do about it! B.S! We have to stop drinking the Kool Aid and educate ourselves, there's plenty that can be done to improve the NOISE problem at FHB Airport. Things that will generate revenue for the airport, make the airspace safer for all aircraft, the flight students and people on the ground.

We have to stop listening to the old guard with the sad, fake news excuses, it's 2026 people, pay attention and maybe you'll learn a better way to do things.

The Pilot Training marketplace is predicted to increase by 46% by 2030, that means the 800 training airplanes between here and New Smyrna Beach now will grow to 1,168 in less than four years. If you think its bad now, relax and wait a while, how about another glass of Kool Aid?

I'm a 22 year resident of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island, Airline Transport Rated Pilot with 40 years in FBO, Aircraft Sales, Management & Charter, and airport operations. I flew in and out of FHB for over 20 years and I didn't have a RIGHT to use the airport, I had the privilege and with privilege comes cost, if you don't believe that take your boat to the Marina.

I don't hate airplanes, but I like Peace and Quiet more!

- Larry Westbrook, Fernandina Beach