FAA Reverses Decision On Previous Ban

Talk about your Catch 22 ... three years ago, skydiving companies lost the right to land customers at Hobby Field near Eugene, Oregon because the City of Creswell would not sign safety agreements with skydiving companies. The city, for its part, cited that FAA decision as a reason to decline to sign the safety agreements.  But now the FAA is reversing that decision, and says the city of Creswell could lose federal airport money if the ban continues in its current form.

According to a letter sent by the FAA in May, the city must prove skydiving is unsafe at the airport before it will reconsider its position. It points to another letter sent over a year ago changing its (the FAA's) position.

“At this time you have not provided a sufficient reasonable basis to deny drop zone access to your airport,” FAA Airport Manager Donna Taylor wrote in the May 22 letter. It goes on to say that, unless the city is able to prove that skydivers landing on airport property is unsafe, and the ban continues, it will be in violation of one of its federal grants by discriminating against an FAA-sanctioned activity.

The Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard reports the Creswell City Council is now rushing to address the issue through legislation. Monday, they voted unanimously to review and finalize a safety plan with the airport for skydiving, and have it assessed by an independent safety zone evaluator.

Criswell Mayor Bob Hooker told the paper “I have nothing against the skydivers, I would love to see them back at the airport, but I am not willing to let that happen at the expense of the city. I’m not going to make the city liable.” 

If the city and local skydiving companies can agree on the safety plan that's under review, and it gets a green light from the city's insurance company, the ban will be lifted, allowing jumpers to land on airport property. At least for a trial period.

Urban Moore, owner of Eugene Skydivers which is located adjacent to Hobby, filed the initial complaint with the FAA. He said Monday's vote was a step in the right direction. “I see a light at the end of the tunnel, but you know it’s been almost three years now. Even if I’m back on the airport tomorrow, which won’t happen, it’s going to take two to three years to get back to where I was,” with his business.

FMI http://www.eugeneskydivers.com/