If I die from a mechanical failure causing my airplane to crash, I can handle that. If you or your son or daughter dies from a mechanical failure causing my airplane to crash into the proposed Tracy aquatics park, that’s unacceptable.

“We’re giving it consideration,” responded Maria Hurtado, director of Tracy Department of Parks and Community Services, to my question, “Where is the proposed aquatics park site in relation to the flight path of Runway 30 at Tracy Municipal Airport”

Citizens know city officials know it’s a potentially dangerous situation because Hurtado said one idea being considered is a clear pathway of open ground on the part of the aquatics park that is in line with the runway.

Further questions about people being allowed on that open ground were ignored. Although it is safer for a pilot to have clear ground on which to land in an emergency, there still could be people there. That’s OK for the pilot. That’s not OK for you.

If the proposed swim park weren’t in the danger zone, this spot might work. Every airplane is in a danger zone after takeoff until it reaches an altitude to turn and return to the runway for a safe landing. Any altitude below that demands that the plane would have to land straight ahead within a limited number of degrees from its takeoff flight path. Attempts to turn too low or too slow can result in a spin and crash.

The aquatics park is a great idea for Tracy, especially for children and families, but self-defeating behavior is evident with a conflict between airport growth plans and the location of this proposed park directly in the flight path. How can placing men, women and children in the path of potential danger be a good thing It might be good until an accident happened, and you know what would be next. The airport would be blamed.

We need more places to support our youth, but is the $28 million project worth the risk of losing lives I think not.

Let’s promote compatible development and win-win solutions that don’t say this group has to lose for that one to win, because they have offered money or for whatever reason. Win-win is doable when we ask the right questions. Let’s ask, get the answers and do what works for the greater good.

• Don Gutridge is a local pilot and member of Tracy Sunrise Rotary Club.