Could Be Permanently Grounded By Financial Woes

Trapped in a court battle with Fullerton Municipal Airport (CA), its assets frozen and its aircraft grounded by legal action, Ray's Flying Club appears to be going the way of the do-do.

"They've gutted us," said Tom Polley, general manager of Ray's Flying Club, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "They've succeeded in putting us out of business."

The city of Fullerton says the club owes it $147,000 in a battle that's been fought since 1999. Ray's offered tie-downs, flight lessons and rides to underprivileged children. Many of its 120 members say the fight is really about costs. They say Ray's offered cheaper tie-downs than the airport itself. But airport officials said the dispute was all about safety.

Two months ago, a judge sided with the city, upholding its eviction of Ray's from the airport. Last month, the court attached all of the club's assets in order to pay for attorney's fees, back rent and court costs.

"The preliminary verdict is in our favor, and the city incurred fees that need to be reimbursed," said Deputy City Attorney Christian Bettenhausen, who represents Fullerton, in an interview with the Times. "That's what we're seeking to recover."

"We think the amount is outrageous," said Ray's attorney, Julia Kemp, in an interview with the LA Times. She said the parties owning the attached airplanes "were not notified. They weren't given due process to oppose the procedure."

As the war of words rages on, Polley said he's moved the eight Cessnas and Grummans to an "undisclosed location" (does Vice President Dick Cheney fly GA?). Even though Fullerton lawyers can't get to the aircraft, Polley said he can't use revenue from rentals and airplane rides to pay the bills.

"We're dying," he told the paper. "We need some help. Otherwise we'll just pack up and call it a day.... All we're doing is hoping for a miracle."

FMI: www.raysflying.com