<your name & address>

<date>

To the Honorable <legislator name>:

I cherish the freedom I have as both a private pilot and United States citizen. I look to Congress to protect these freedoms in our great country.

Recently, Congress and the Department of the Interior have been limiting our rights to fly over National Parks and Wilderness Areas. Although I understand the need to preserve natural quiet in our nation’s wilderness areas, a balance must be achieved that permits all of us to enjoy our country’s natural wonders. 

The Federal Aviation Administration educates pilots regarding noise impact, and the majority of general aviation pilots do “fly quiet.” The relatively small number of noise complaints attests to the minimal impact of general aviation on ground-based visitors. In the Grand Canyon, only 50 noise complaints are received from the more than 5 million annual visitors—a rate of one complaint for every 100,000 visitors.

Yet, legislation is enacted every year, which not only limits areas in which we can fly, it also creates new hazards. Unlike other restricted areas, no flight controller can authorize a deviation into the Grand Canyon no-fly zone—even in cases of dangerous weather or emergency. If this trend continues, the country will become pockmarked with barriers to free flight, increasing the inconvenience, cost, and danger to pilots.

I urge you to oppose the current flight restrictions in the Grand Canyon, pending legislation to limit flights over Rocky Mountain National Park and the Taos wilderness areas, and any future legislation targeted at reducing the freedom of general aviation in our great nation.

Sincerely,

<your name>