URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
In the 65 year history of the existence of Cable Airport we have been exposed to all of the unfortunate events that can happen at an airport. We have seen hangars damaged by Mother Nature in the form of high winds and by fellow pilots alike. We have fought the encroachment of housing within our safety areas, and we have seen our fair share of gear-ups and accidents.
One of the most destructive things that can happen to an airport that we haven’t seen until now is FIRE. In the past 90 days we have had 2 hangar fires. One minor fire that damaged one aircraft and one that could have been a MAJOR catastrophe if not for the quick responses from alert tenants and the Upland Fire Department. As a result, one airplane was completely destroyed and the verdict is not out yet out on the other aircraft that were affected. Three hangars will have to be re-built, and the loss of personal property can never be replaced. Most important is that there was no loss of life or injury.
As with other events that have occurred at the airport, this will cause a change in the way we do things.
When the high winds damaged hangars by blowing in the doors, we added safety features to the doors to prevent this from happening again. When mechanical failures happen and we have gear-ups, Airworthiness Directives can be issued and the problem can be eliminated. When pilots make the wrong decisions and damage aircraft, they can receive remedial training so that the right choices can be made in the future.
The only way to minimize the chance of more fires is to inspect all of the hangars on the airport, and this may become an annual occurrence. We are currently working with the Upland Fire Department as to how and when this will occur. We plan on giving everyone a chance to self-inspect before the “official inspection” by providing a check list of things to look for and possibly eliminate or remove.
Once again, this will change the way we do things. We do these things to protect not only you and your property, but the airport as a whole.
Sincerely,
Bob Cable. President Cable Airport Inc.
| Check the expiration date on your Fire Extinguisher in your hangar!! The scheduled date for Certification is in May. If your extinguisher is due before then, Contact Ed Horn, Hillcrest Fire, (760-427-0305) for the early certification. |
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