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The issue

• The Canadian/Belgian flight school, CAE/Sabena, now totally dominates Falcon Field with its endless touch and go practice patterns 7 days a week.
• Rather than using the existing pattern over desert to the north, CAE/Sabena students heavily use a pattern south of the airport over neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and schools.
• The student flights are at the lowest possible altitude and are only briefly high enough to allow return to the airport upon engine failure.
• The chances of a crash into a neighborhood have risen enormously as a result of the extraordinary number of these beginner flights as practiced.
• Leaded fuel used by the flight school decomposes after combustion into microscopic lead particles which are being steadily strewn in unprecedented amounts over the residences and schools of northeast Mesa. 
• Airport, City officials, the FAA, and the Mayor’s selected “Task Force” strongly support the flight school, did not respond to our 30 page petition, and steadfastly refuse to address the dangers to our community caused by CAE/Sabena. 

The solution:

• CAE/Sabena students must stop using the south pattern .
• CAE/Sabena aircraft need to use unleaded fuel only.
• If CAE/Sabena must use the south pattern and leaded fuel, then this flight school must relocate to an airport where they do not put citizens in harm’s way.

What you can do to help:

• Let us know that you support our efforts
• Sign up for infrequent e-mail announcements relevant to the Flight School issue
• Consider signing a letter of concern (in preparation) to CAE corporate headquarters in Montreal
• Indicate that you are willing to attend group meetings to discuss this problem
• Volunteer to help develop evolving strategies to make areas around the airport safe again.