Tue, Aug 04, 2009
FAA Says Airport Must Be Fenced, Or Risk Losing Capital
Improvement Funds
An ongoing dispute between the FAA
and Orcas Island, Washington may mean either pilots will lose
"through the fence" access to the airport, or the community might
have to raise taxes for airport improvements.
The FAA wants Orcas Island to fence off the airport, which means
pilots living nearby who currently keep their airplanes at home
would lose their special access permits to the field. 26
landownders currently avoid hangar or tiedown fees by keeping their
airplanes on their private property adjacent to the airport. The
easements to the airfield were granted by the original owner when
he deeded the land to the Port of Orcas in 1959.
According to The Island Sounder, the Orcas Island Commissioners
believe the FAA wants them to take the easement by eminent domain,
and no new easements would be granted. They could also acquire the
land by buying it as it becomes available, and re-selling it
without the easements. Because of federal regulations governing
airports, the FAA says it will require the commission to return
federal money granted for airport improvements if the easements are
not terminated. The commissioners say if they try to make those
improvements without the federal dollars, it will be required to
raise taxes on the entire community.
Property owner and former America Airlines pilot Bob Waunch, one
of those with an easement, told the paper the airport is critical
to the community. “Everyone on this island needs this
airport. Package delivery here is a major thing, all the
contractors get their supplies through the airport and the then
there is the medical use. If the port and not the FAA were
controlling things they could put non aviation businesses on the
land and raise additional funds.”
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt was asked about "through the
fence" problems at his "Meet the Administrator" session last week
at EAA AirVenture 2009. Babbitt said he was aware of the problems,
and while we was not prepared to give a definitive answer, he
promised to take a look at the issue.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]