Hanscom aviation
Your recent opinion piece (“Collins: Expanding private jet capacity at Hanscom reckless idea,” 10/6) omitted some key facts about the value of business aviation at Hanscom Field and beyond.
The truth is, Hanscom Field is vital to the region’s economic and transportation systems, driving $6.7 billion in economic activity each year, and supporting approximately 20,000 jobs, including highly skilled technicians, maintenance workers, avionics specialists, hospitality providers, and a host of other area businesses based on the field and in the local community. The airfield is also ideally suited to disaster-relief flights and specialized medical transport – consider Medflight, based at Hanscom, which transports more than 6,000 critically ill patients annually.
Equally important – given the focus of your story on business aviation’s carbon footprint – readers weren’t told about the industry’s sharp focus on sustainability, having slashed emissions by 40% in just four decades, and a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions in the years to come. Progress is being made toward this goal right now – through investment in eco-friendly electric, hybrid and hydrogen power technologies, and the development of sustainable aviation fuels, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. In fact, MIT researchers recently announced their ground-breaking work to convert plant-based lignin into hydrocarbon molecules that could help make jet fuel 100% sustainable.
When it comes to the debate over business aviation, let’s get the facts on the table, with a focus on the real and meaningful actions being taken to support citizens, communities and carbon reduction.
Jeff DeMarey
President
Stonewall Insurance Group, Inc.
David L. Fetherston
Founder and General Manager
NexAir Avionics
Thomas W. Hurley
Executive Director
Massachusetts Airport Management Association
Don McPherson
Manager
Minute Man Airfield
Donald Staszko
Director of Operations
ProAirways
Mac Jones
Before all the Boston genius writers and talk show hosts run Mac out of town, they should check the annals of Patriot history. Many, or all of them never had a chance to watch Jim Plunkett. Jim was a Heisman Trophy winner from Stanford that was the Patriots top draft pick in the 70-71 season. He had a very good rookie season followed by three or four seasons running for his life as the Patriots quarterback, after it was decided that a quality offensive line wasn’t needed. He later went on to win two Super Bowls with the Oakland Raiders.
So, before we run Mac out of town let’s try to get him some good protection. One of my first suggestions would be to charge Trent Brown admission to the game or replace him with one of the statues that have been removed locally.
John Lucente
Lexington
