Sun, Sep 13, 2015
Pentagon Removed F-16s, FAA Now Says ANG Must Pay 'Fair Market Value' For Airport Use
The Air National Guard has notified Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) that it will not get an appraisal that would be required to renegotiate its lease at the airfield in the latest round of a dispute over how much that lease should be.
In 2012, the Department of Defense cut the F-16s that had been stationed at KDSM, and that triggered the debate. In order to receive FAA grants, the airport must charge "fair market" rent for all of its tenants except military units with an aeronautical mission. If that were to be enforced, the Air National Guard's rent would jump from $1 (one) dollar per year to about $5 million.
The Des Moines Register reports that the mission of the ANG unit based at KDSM was shifted to one focused on unmanned aircraft for surveillance and cyber security, and it was not clear if that qualified as an "aeronautical mission."
However, ANG officials say the Secretary of the Air Force recently approved the relocation of 10 Black Hawk helicopters belonging to the Iowa Army National Guard from Boone, IA to KDSM. Col. Greg Hapgood, a spokesman for the Iowa National Guard, said that "There is no question that is an aeronautical mission." The Air Force has taken the position that it has a valid lease through 2060, and that there are appropriate aeronautical activities either current or proposed that fill the FAA's AIP requirements.
But Des Moines International Airport Executive Director Kevin Foley said that moving the helicopters to KDSM would not end the lease debate. Foley says that the FAA mandates that the National Guard must be charged market rate on any property not used for flight operations or direct support for flight operations.
The issue is being followed closely by airport and military officials nationwide, as all agree that the resolution of the dispute will have national consequences.
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]