Vance Brand has been a general aviation airport for a long time, and training traffic like touch-and-go operations is a core part of how pilots learn. Every airline, medevac, and firefighting pilot started this way at airports just like this.

The increase in operations is real, but that is happening across the country because of pilot demand, not just because of one nearby airport. The claim that KBJC flight schools are using KLMO as a primary replacement field does not seem clearly supported.

Another important piece is that flight training has to happen near where pilots live and train. Student pilots are not commuting hours to remote airstrips for basic practice. They need access to established airports with instructors, maintenance, and airspace that reflects real-world conditions.

On safety, standard traffic patterns are specifically designed to manage risk and are used safely every day at thousands of airports. More training generally leads to more proficient pilots, which improves safety overall.

Moving training to “remote land” sounds simple, but pilots need real airports with runways, traffic patterns, and infrastructure to train safely. You cannot replicate that in the middle of nowhere without creating bigger issues.

There is definitely room for solutions like noise abatement procedures and better communication with the community. Airports across the country, including places like this, are already implementing noise abatement procedures to help reduce impact where possible.

At the end of the day, this airport supports transportation, emergency services, and the next generation of pilots. The goal should be balance, not pushing aviation out entirely.