I view it as a national issue for the rest of the country.

Under federal regulations, it's the pilot's call. The tower would have asked for a flight plan and would have advised him to not take off. There's no stopping a pilot from taking off at any time. If the pilot makes that decision, under the federal air regulations, they can do that. However they have to be willing to accept the risk and it would certainly indicate extreme bad judgment.

No changes. In no way did it involve the airport.

Unless you were instrument rated, it would certainly put you in a bad situation if you didn't have one.

This is a great event for our area as well as the rest of the country. It's just great that we have something like this in our own back yard.

Inevitably, as we grow bigger across the rest of the country, and Dallas remains the same size, we might have to begin casting about for a place that's more efficient to operate.