Jump Operation Files FAA Complaint Over Jump Ban

Both sides in a fight between skydiving operations and airport management in Creswell, Oregon seem to be tiring of their seven-year battle. The dive operation says it must fight an attempt to ban its operations before the FAA, or go out of business. The city has threatened that the cost of addressing that complaint could force it to end services at Hobby Field Airport (77S).

The Register-Guard reports the airport is promoted by the city as one of the busiest in the state, with 120 based aircraft. It used to be home to two competing skydiving operations, Eugene Skydivers and Wright Brother Skydiving, but the latter ceased operations after the city moved to prohibit skydivers from using the airport as a landing zone back in 2006. Urban Moore, who owns Eugene Skydiving, has kept the doors open by offering limited skydiving services at county-owned property nine miles from the airport. But he says there's no way to grow.

Moore's complaint with the FAA accuses the city of discriminating against a legitimate aviation activity at an airport which has taken federal funds. The city council approved a motion at its February 14 meeting to fund an expected $100,000 legal bill with money from the city's general fund. It had earlier threatened to close the airport entirely, something Moore says it can't do.

He adds the FAA has found skydiving compatible with other activity on the field provided appropriate measures are in place. A consultant hired by the city disagrees.

Moore tells the paper, "The city’s refusal to comply with the FAA’s finding, and discrimination against skydiving, has nearly put me out of business. Now that I’m calling them out for their wrongdoing, they’re making threats..."

Some aircraft owners based at Hobby Field say everyone used to get along fine. Bob Severns has been using the airport for over 50 years, and tells the paper things ran smoothly until skydivers began "abusing the situation," including walking across the runway while planes were on takeoff runs.

An FAA ruling on Moore's complaint is not expected until at least December.

FMI: www.airnav.com/airport/77S