I don't really consider this a political issue although some no doubt will.

Friday I was in AVL aka Asheville, NC, a resort town with resort prices. While there and waiting upon my passengers to arrive for the flight back to MEM, several military aircraft arrived. The topic of the day was 12 Bones, a local BBQ joint in the sense of a beer joint. In other words, it was a hole in the wall but had good and cheap food. I did not go there, partly because I don't waste my time on NC BBQ when MEM is the BBQ capital of the world. However, I was surprised by the number of military folks who arrived just to have lunch.

Reputedly BO has ordered out from this place. Friday, a jet trainer from Meridian, MS arrived with two Marines on board. Also, a Gulfstream with Air Force folks on board. Plus, an Apache helicopter with Army folks on board. All were going to 12 Bones for lunch.

The General Aviation community has a saying called the $100 hamburger, which means getting together with some of your fellow pilots for some training and local flying which results in a lunch somewhere nearby. The cost of the aircraft + the lunch can or might exceed $100.

I have to suggest that these military flights resulted in a $10,000 rib lunch. Now, I have no real problem with the military taking training flights to places that are fun. I have no doubt these folks accomplished serious training. So long as the commanders of the appropriate commands are aware and take notice of such, I am in complete agreement.

However, tax dollars were spent and I am hopeful that they are completely accounted for.

Best regards,

RA1

Military flights are a hot topic in Palm Springs as they make so much noise and have been on the increase. At last, that was a few months ago. After the controversy arose, with those who didn't like the noise being called anti-American, the flights seem to have found another home. Ashville?

^{If there is a shortage of junk food in PSP, that could be the reason.}

^{Best regards,}

^RA1

No, no shortage of that or I'd be ten or twenty pounds lighter!

Twentyninepalms and other active military areas are certainly nearby PSP. And, I have to admit, that military aircraft make more noise than civilian aircraft with similar speed and payload capabilities make. Naturally, "real" warplanes, not transports or trainers, make a LOT more noise. There is just no way to get the performance from quiet aircraft. Even some stealth aircraft make a good deal of noise partly because the primary definition of stealth is reduced signature on radar returns. As the movie Firefox suggested, the Russians were on the right track when they had noise sensors to track incoming enemy aircraft.

Best regards,

RA1