Denial Of The Activity Violates Grant Assurances, Agency Says

Nearly four years after it was initially denied in 2014, the FAA has told the city of Casa Grande, AZ that it must allow the establishment of a drop zone at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport (KCGZ).

The Casa Grande Dispatch reports that the Skydive Coastal California has been operating out of the airport as Phoenix Area Skydiving, but that the drop zone used by the company is outside the city limits.

Luther Kurtz, owner of Phoenix Area Skydiving, initially applied for the establishment of a drop zone on airport property in 2013. The request was denied in 2014 by then-Airport Manager Richard Wilkie, who is currently the city’s economic development director. Wilike said at the time that the request was denied due to safety issues, and the city's insurance policy would not allow it.

Kurtz appealed to the FAA, which last week released a 24-page order telling the city it is in violation of multiple federal mandates related to AIP grants the city has accepted for the airport. It also says prohibiting skydiving at the airport amounts to "economic discrimination" against the company.

City Manager Larry Raines told the paper that the FAA is requiring the city to "present a corrective action plan which explains in detail how the city intends to return the airport to compliance with its federal grant obligations concerning access on reasonable terms and conditions without unjust discrimination by accommodating parachute operations, including tenant space and use of public areas." The agency also informs the city that future AIP grants could be withheld if the situation is not resolved.

Rains said the City Council would be briefed on the matter at its meeting Tuesday night, and the city staff will be meeting this week to discuss options, which could include an appeal of the FAA's order.

FMI: Original report