Pilots’ Group Fears New Cannon Mission Will Harm Private Flying

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) – A civilian pilots group is worried that Cannon Air Force Base’s new mission could increase risks to private, business and commuter flights.

The Air Force Special Operations Command will take over the base in October, bringing in different types of aircraft. The United States Pilots Association views communications over Cannon airspace as insufficient.

The group says the communications issue — coupled with the special operations practice of flying without lights at night — creates danger. Association members say avoiding Cannon airspace isn’t an option because that would add hours to flight times.

The group’s fears are contained in a letter that was released last month as part of a draft environmental impact statement for Cannon’s new mission.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-04-20-07 1236EDT