As most people know, where I fly out of at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, the German Air Force also trains their Tornado jet pilots. One of the German AF pilots here also owns a German-registered glider, which he bases from the local Alamogordo airport, located 5 miles from Holloman AFB. He is a member of the White Sands Soaring Club, however has been barred from flying his foreign-registered glider by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to the "proximity to an active military base," with the implication of homeland security considerations (other gliders routinely fly out of the civil airport). He has sent a letter to the FAA stating, in part:
"As my normal duty, I make a takeoff three times a week from a US military installation, Holloman AFB in specific. I am flying a "foreign" (to you) supersonic jet fighter, loaded to it's maximum capacity with explosives and bullets. I fly this jet over most of the southwestern states as a normal part of my job.
If I had any desire to hurt you or your country, I would not use my glider. Thank you for your consideration."
Reply awaits.
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