In this episode of Skywatch, hosts Jimmy Leas and Danaka Katovich interview guest Dan Castrigano, campaigner with Safe Landing BTV. Discussion includes the movement to ground the climate-killing F-35s, private jets, and all other unnecessary flights.

This interview comes on the heels of the Airport Resistance Rally on May 23rd, when more than 30 activists gathered at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport to demand immediate climate action at the airport.

5 June 2023

More than 30 people rallied at the airport to demand an immediate ban on private jets. This rally was in solidarity with activists from Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion, Scientist Rebellion, and Greenpeace, who protested at EBACE, the largest private jet sales event in Europe in Geneva, Switzerland. More than 100 activists were arrested in Geneva on May 23rd, 2023. Read the press release. #banprivatejets

This action was in solidarity with our allies fighting to ground the F-35s.

Media Coverage:

Airport Rally Demands Removal of F-35 in Vermont (ABC 22)

Local Advocacy Group Continuing Calls to Local Leaders to Stop F-35 Flights (NBC 5)

Town Meeting TV

23 May 2023

Watch this video to see clips of the Airport Commissioners and Nic Longo planning for decades of airport expansion, joking about the climate emergency, and laughing at people suffering from endless noise pollution from the airport.

These clips were taken from the Burlington Airport Commission meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

1 February 2023

Read this article describing noise monitors in Williston showing readings of ~115 decibels from the F-35s, which are dangerously high. This is not a surprise.

Instead of grounding the planes, the airport will spend about $5 million of our tax dollars annually on noise mitigation.

Each household costs $100,000, so that means 50 households per year get noise mitigation.

There are 2,600 households that need noise mitigation.

That means it will take 52 years to upgrade all the households. At that rate, the final households will be upgraded in 2075.

Ground the planes.

26 January 2023

Check out this 23-minute video from the No F-35s at BTV Rally.

About 30 people rallied outside the airport and then occupied the airport, demanding a removal of the F-35s and for the United States to honor the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

This event was co-sponsored by Safe Landing BTV, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and Code Pink.

22 January 2023

Listen to this Vermont Edition podcast featuring Director of Aviation Nic Longo, Safe Landing BTV organizer Dan Castrigano, and Special Projects Manager at Vermont Agency of Transportation Trini Brassard.

You’ll have to listen to Nic Longo’s greenwashing before hearing from Dan Castrigano. Much of the conversation involves Dan’s organizing with Flight Free Vermont, although there is also conversation on the need to immediately ramp down aviation because of the climate emergency.

9 January 2023

Read this VTDigger Commentary by Dan Castrigano in response to his rejection from the Airport Commission.

6 November 2022

This 12-minute documentary by filmmakers Duane Peterson III and Patrick McCormack features tranquil scenes juxtaposed with voicemails of those suffering from the noise of the F-35s.

15 April 2021