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http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2006/07/02/news/local/2c13be03900dc3c38625719f001766fe.txt
A unique and dedicated group of pilots will hold their annual fly-in at Martin Field in South Sioux City, Monday through Friday. The Deaf Pilots Association (DPA) based in Knoxville, Tenn. will gather for their 13th annual fly-in.
DPA members come from all over the United States, some European countries and Australia. Some members use American Sign Language while others employ lip reading. Many members are hard of hearing, while others have become deaf later in life.
Matt Herrman, a member of the DPA board and organizer for the event, said the group expects 20 members and five to 10 planes.
"They will include the airplanes that are available for rent from Martin Field," Herrman said. "I will be bringing a Cessna 182RG. Some of our members own their own airplane or used to own an airplane. Many of us fly single engine airplanes such as Cessna 150s, 172s and 182s for instance. They also fly Piper and Beechcraft planes."
One member will come from England.
Herrman, who lives in Omaha, is familiar with Martin Field. "I'm a frequent visitor to Martin Field. I discovered this airport after I planned to fly up to Sioux City to see my wife's family for Thanksgiving when we were dating.
"I originally wanted to fly up to Sioux City Gateway airport, however, this airport is controlled airspace, so after a little searching around I found that there was an airport in South Sioux City that would have been feasible for me to fly in to without having to worry about controlled airspace."
FAA regulations require pilots to contact the airport tower when entering a controlled airspace such as that surrounding the Sioux Gateway Airport. Because of that deaf pilots are restricted to flying into and out of uncontrolled airports such as Martin Field.
While in Siouxland the DPA will gather at the Experimental Aircraft Association's hangar at Martin Field. The fly-in activities begin Monday with a get reacquainted party for DPA members. The next day members fly to Tea, S.D.
"I have coordinated with Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD) in Sioux Falls, and this event is to introduce deaf pilots to the deaf community. We will give deaf youth rides in the morning and then do a question and answer session during lunch, and then do some more flying for young people as well as adults in the afternoon," Herrman said.
The day ends with a community picnic at 6 p.m. Tuesday. That event, sponsored by the Sioux City Association for the Deaf, is open to the public. There is a cost for the meal.
On Wednesday DPA members will attend a presentation by Woodbury County Disaster Services Director Gary Brown, who will detail the response to the crash of United Flight 232 in 1989.
The group will hold a general membership meeting Wednesday.
"Then members will have the option to fly to Madison, S.D. to meet campers at Camp Lakoida, which is also part of CSD. Or they can fly down to Wahoo, Neb. or Millard Neb. to visit the Strategic Air & Space Museum in Ashland, Neb." Herrman said.
Friday will be the last day of the fly-in.
"On July 7th, we will have an FAA person come to give us a safety presentation in regard to safety issues that are concerning aviation today," Herrman said. "We will close the week with a banquet provided by Stryker's Grill at 6 p.m. on July 7th at the Quality Inn on Hamilton Street."
For more information about the Deaf Pilots Association visit the Web site at www.deafpilots.org.
A unique and dedicated group of pilots will hold their annual fly-in at Martin Field in South Sioux City, Monday through Friday. The Deaf Pilots Association (DPA) based in Knoxville, Tenn. will gather for their 13th annual fly-in.
DPA members come from all over the United States, some European countries and Australia. Some members use American Sign Language while others employ lip reading. Many members are hard of hearing, while others have become deaf later in life.
Matt Herrman, a member of the DPA board and organizer for the event, said the group expects 20 members and five to 10 planes.
"They will include the airplanes that are available for rent from Martin Field," Herrman said. "I will be bringing a Cessna 182RG. Some of our members own their own airplane or used to own an airplane. Many of us fly single engine airplanes such as Cessna 150s, 172s and 182s for instance. They also fly Piper and Beechcraft planes."
One member will come from England.
Herrman, who lives in Omaha, is familiar with Martin Field. "I'm a frequent visitor to Martin Field. I discovered this airport after I planned to fly up to Sioux City to see my wife's family for Thanksgiving when we were dating.
"I originally wanted to fly up to Sioux City Gateway airport, however, this airport is controlled airspace, so after a little searching around I found that there was an airport in South Sioux City that would have been feasible for me to fly in to without having to worry about controlled airspace."
FAA regulations require pilots to contact the airport tower when entering a controlled airspace such as that surrounding the Sioux Gateway Airport. Because of that deaf pilots are restricted to flying into and out of uncontrolled airports such as Martin Field.
While in Siouxland the DPA will gather at the Experimental Aircraft Association's hangar at Martin Field. The fly-in activities begin Monday with a get reacquainted party for DPA members. The next day members fly to Tea, S.D.
"I have coordinated with Communication Services for the Deaf (CSD) in Sioux Falls, and this event is to introduce deaf pilots to the deaf community. We will give deaf youth rides in the morning and then do a question and answer session during lunch, and then do some more flying for young people as well as adults in the afternoon," Herrman said.
The day ends with a community picnic at 6 p.m. Tuesday. That event, sponsored by the Sioux City Association for the Deaf, is open to the public. There is a cost for the meal.
On Wednesday DPA members will attend a presentation by Woodbury County Disaster Services Director Gary Brown, who will detail the response to the crash of United Flight 232 in 1989.
The group will hold a general membership meeting Wednesday.
"Then members will have the option to fly to Madison, S.D. to meet campers at Camp Lakoida, which is also part of CSD. Or they can fly down to Wahoo, Neb. or Millard Neb. to visit the Strategic Air & Space Museum in Ashland, Neb." Herrman said.
Friday will be the last day of the fly-in.
"On July 7th, we will have an FAA person come to give us a safety presentation in regard to safety issues that are concerning aviation today," Herrman said. "We will close the week with a banquet provided by Stryker's Grill at 6 p.m. on July 7th at the Quality Inn on Hamilton Street."
For more information about the Deaf Pilots Association visit the Web site at www.deafpilots.org.
