"Jim Kellett" wrote in message ...
Has any US-based gliding club been involved with a public airport's
switching to a "dutch auction" for its hangars on an annual basis?

See if there is anything you can use in FAA Order 5190.6A WRT to
Sponsor Assurances wording (I paraphrase): Airport owners must
provide fair and equitable access to any and all airport facilities to
all airport users without discriminating against any aviation
activity.

If the airport has accepted federal funding for airport improvements
(which I'm pretty sure every public airport in this country has) then
the airport owner/operator must comply with FAA Order 5190.6A, which
mandates that the owner must provide equal access to airport
facilities on a fair and equitable basis. Therefore, the airport
cannot charge more for like hangar space to one user than another.
Nor can they assess a charge to one user using a different formula to
derive the charge.

The airport can assess a higher charge for a fully enclosed hangar
than a shadeport. But if there is a flat rate charge per
hangar/shadeport offered to any one airport user, then the airport
cannot charge another owner any more or less to park an aircraft
within a like storage structure. Likewise, any assessment on a per
square footage basis must be uniorm and applicable to any and all
airport users.

I suggest you apprise the airport management of their federal funding
obligations and contact your FAA ADO Airports Compliance Officer.

RD