Aviation Expert Warns of Safety Risks from Airport-Side Events at Sticky Wicket
Aviation expert Eugene Silcott has renewed calls for tighter control over events held at the Sticky Wicket, warning that the popular fete venue’s proximity to the airport poses serious safety and operational risks.
Silcott said he has repeatedly raised the issue but has faced criticism from individuals who argue that such events are harmless entertainment for young people. He stressed, however, that his concerns are grounded in aviation safety, not opposition to social activities.
He outlined several key dangers associated with large gatherings at the site, beginning with access concerns for emergency vehicles.
“If a fire were to break out at the main terminal, fire trucks would struggle to reach the airport,” Silcott explained. “While some may suggest using the ramp, that poses its own danger due to the underground fuel lines.”
He also noted that medical responders could be delayed in reaching the terminal during an emergency because of traffic congestion from eventgoers, potentially putting lives at risk.
Silcott added that loud music from the fetes penetrates the control tower glass, which is not soundproof, and could distract or interfere with air traffic controllers’ communications with pilots.
“For instance, a non-native English-speaking pilot might misinterpret instructions, potentially leading to a mid-air collision,” he said, emphasizing that while aircraft are equipped with Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS), such incidents must still be reported to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
He further cautioned that congestion could prevent air traffic controllers from getting to work on time. “If a controller faces difficulties getting to the control tower, they have every right to return home,” Silcott said, adding that this could result in the airport being forced to close temporarily.
Silcott urged event organizers to use shuttle systems to transport patrons to and from the venue to reduce congestion and ensure the safety of airport operations.
“These factors are critical for the safety and smooth operation of the airport,” he said. “A word to the wise is sufficient.”
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I’m not a fete going person but these arguments he presented are weak and this is my major opinion:
We don’t have overnight flights and we are not a busy airport. Once AA, JetBlue, British and any other airbus are gone by 9pm latest and those regional flights leave by 9pm latest, airport is basically a ghost town with just security.
If these fetes start late in the night, and finish by 4am, what major risks do they pose? If he don’t like fetes I rather him say that but I don’t see the problem.
Not all fetes are in the night. A lot of fetes these days are day fetes.
I don’t see the problem
You are the classic incompetent Facebook person … talking cuz u have nothing better to do is not a job …
Go back to work .
Ignorant
Eugene why you don’t go make a call to come fix your place of work so you don’t have to swim on the job when it rains…..oh I forgot you’re a brown nose…
@I don’t see the problem: Classic ideocracy. There could be an electrical or other ‘combustion’ fire in the wee hours of the night. Then what are the fire tenders to do IF the pathways are blocked. Please do not expose your ignorance for Pete’s sake
I don’t mind the fetes, but its a combination of poor planning by organizers and bad behavior by patrons.
The last day fete they had there traffic was backed up from the entrance of the airport terminal because stupid people were stopping by the location to pick up people. Most of the time, they pulled up there waiting for their friends to walk out or dance out and then wink up on the cars before going inside.
The organizers can do more to keep traffic moving AND patrons can use common sense.
Let’s run back to the situation back in February when Air Canada had that emergency landing due to mechanical issues. That was closer to 11pm. What if a fete was taking place then. Should the aircraft that declared an emergency wait for the promoters to find everyone who was blocking the roadway to move so emergency services can get to the airport.
His concerns are not about everyday flight operations but emergency situations that can happen at random and having that route blocked by vehicles is never a ok.
Yes we don’t normally get flights after 9pm but there is often the delayed flight and we are the emergency diversion airport for most airlines. We have received diversion from as far south as Barbados.
Even after hours the airport is always on standby for these emergency