[Wichita-SCCA] FAA grant could kill Strother

[Greg Laws]

I hope that I'm wrong but I think that the end is in sight for Strother Field as a solo venue.  Here is the news article that I found in tonight's Winfield Daily Courier:

http://www.winfieldcourier.com/print.asp?ArticleID=24344&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1


Strother Field has applied for this grant every year for the past several years.  The field's problem is that they are drowning in rotten concrete left over from World War II.  They didn't have enough money to maintain the old, rotting aprons and they didn't have enough money to rip it all out either.  The field had no actual need for the aprons to be concrete anyway because all of the airplanes using the field operate just fine without concrete.  In fact, a good grass surface would reduce the chance of engine or prop damage from busted bits of concrete getting sucked up.  There has also been a problem with flooding that can now be corrected by adding an additional inlet to the field's storm sewer during demolition.  This is a good deal for the field and one that they've been looking forward to.

Sadly it will be a very bad deal for the Wichita SCCA and for autocrossing in general.  I will check with the field's manager after the holiday 3-day weekend to confirm that their plan includes the apron from the fueling station south to B-4 Flying but the article states that "The northern, center and southern phases are estimated to be completed by the middle of August." so it is not looking good for guys who like to play with rubber cones.  Bummer.

:-(

Greg Laws  
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