City Attorney Reviewing The Issue

The city commission of Lawrence, KS will not take any action on establishing skydiving drop zones near its airport until a review of an FAA ruling is completed, officials said last week.

The FAA said is a safety assessment that there are three areas near the airport that would be suitable for drop zones, according to a report in the Lawrence Journal-World newspaper. City Attorney Toni Wheeler is now reviewing that document.

City Commissioner Mike Amyx said during the meeting last Tuesday that he simply wants to know "what the rules are, and if we're being told that absolutely we have to do this."

Wheeler told the commission that the city has not directly asked what might happen if the commission decides to disallow the activity, but direct petitions to the FAA could be the result. Disallowing a legitimate aviation activity could jeopardize Airport Improvement Grants, which fund as much as 90 percent of improvements at the airport.

The FAA considered eight proposed drop zones, and found that three would be safe if 13 specific provisions were met.

The reviews are expected to be completed and back before the commission in 90 days.

(Image from FAA report)

FMI: FAA report