Prominent NW Fly-In Gets A Late Christmas Gift

Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas has to be the current sentiments among the folks that run and support the highly-regarded NW EAA Fly-In in Arlington, Washington, each summer -- in light of a recent, surprising, FAA decision to return fees once mandated for ATC services at the event.

Our very good friend, Arlington Mayor, Fly-In Director, and Private Pilot Barbara Tolbert passed along the news that, "Thanks to Senator Patty Murray, who was our advocate for having the FAA Administrator review this policy, the FAA has changed their policy about charging for the temporary control tower at our Fly-In. The review worked! We are receiving a refund for last year's costs and a determination that they don't need to charge the Fly-In for the temporary control tower in the years ahead, as long as the work load stays about the same."

In a letter issued by the FAA's Peter J. Basso III, Director of Financial Operations, (FAA-Washington DC), "The FAA has reviewed the actual expenses incurred to support the 2014 Arlington Fly-In and due to the diminumus amount of costs incurred beyond the initial advance payment, we have made the determination to refund, to the Arlington Fly In, all the funds provided to the FAA in support of the 2014 airshow."

Basso also noted that, "Given the size of the event and the FAA support requirements of the Arlington Fly-In airshow over the last two years, and in compliance with the FAA Special Event Policy, FAA management has determined that we will not seek reimbursement for support of future Arlington Fly-In Airshows provided the level of support required of the Arlington Fly In does not substantially increase.  If the support requirements do substantially increase, we will coordinate closely with you well in advance to ensure you have adequately notification and the opportunity to plan accordingly."

How this may affect other organizations and Fly-In efforts, such as EAA's massive annual Oshkosh undertaking (which the FAA, on many occasions has praised as being a hub for safety and educational outreach that benefitted the entire pilot population) and the Spring Fly-In in Lakeland, FL, is not yet known... especially since those efforts probably require more than the usual staffing and resources 'normally' associated with 'standard' daily operations... but it does give one a reason to question whether such events might be due a partial refund for expenses that might have been paid for, previously, that could have possibly paid for staffing that would have included BOTH the normal operating costs, as well as those in excess of normal ops. We shall see...

In the meantime, NWEAA Fly-In staff notes that '...a nice round of applause' should go to, 'the FAA, Senator Patty Murray, Barbara Tolbert our Fly-In director and the rest of the crew.'
They also note that this action will, '...will help the Arlington Fly-In a great deal in the years ahead. You can also continue to come on Wednesday and leave Sunday morning and not even worry about the tower... normal Arlington traffic patterns prevail. 2015 is already looking great!'

The annual Arlington Fly-In, located at the Arlington Municipal Airport (beautifully ensconced in the foothills of the Cascades) in Washington State began as a one day fly-in and spaghetti feed in 1969. It has grown to become one of the most popular sport aviation events in the West. The “County Fair with Airplanes” has been named one of the friendliest Fly-In destinations by a number of entities--ANN, included. This event has something for everyone, from Airshows, to radio controlled flight, to massive homebuilt aircraft displays, to Hot Air Balloons to Bi-Plane rides. It has become a favorite for many of the ANN staff, as well. 

This year's event is scheduled for July 9th, to the 11th, 2015... we hope to see you all there.

FMI: http://www.arlingtonflyin.org/, www.faa.gov