![]() |
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Sorry if this is not suppose to be put in this group but I thought some of
you may be interested. FAA To Investigate Meigs Closure Agency Grants AOPA Demand For Investigation Fortunately, the debateover the unprecedented closure of Chiacgo's Meigs field is comingto light once again. On its website, AOPA says the FAAmerits the organization's claim that the city of Chicagoviolated federal law and aviation regulations when it shut downMeigs Field last March. The agency says it will investigate theclosure. AOPA filed a formal complaint following the destruction ofMeigs's runway on Mayor Richard M. Daley's order, claiming the cityfailed to provide adequate notice, as required by the FARs. Whilethe organization admits the complaint will not result in theairport's reopening it may lead to the mayor and the city beingpunished for their actions. "AOPA intends to push for the appropriate penalty to be imposedon the city," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Mayor Daley and anyother state or local official who may want to follow Daley's leadmust be made to understand they cannot unilaterally change theNational Airspace System." The manager of the FAA's Enforcement Division sent a letter ofresponse to AOPA's complaint against both the mayor and the city,saying "reasonable grounds exist" to begin an informalinvestigation into the allegations. AOPA maintains that Daley and the city of Chicago violated boththe U.S. Code and Federal Aviation Regulations. The U.S. Codestates that an airport or landing area not involving theexpenditure of federal money may be altered substantially "only ifthe Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration is givenreasonable prior notice, so that the Administrator may provideadvice on the effects" of the alteration. In order for theadministrator to carry out that obligation, Federal AviationRegulations state that anyone intending to alter a runway,deactivate a runway or airport, or change the status of an airportmust submit notice of that intent at least 90 days prior to takingsuch action. AOPA says the FARs do provide for immediate emergency action,such as in the case of national security, which was Daley'soriginal claim. However, even in the case of an emergency, if theairport has a charted instrument approach, which Meigs Field did, aminimum of 30 days' notice must be given. An informalinvestigation proceeds at the discretion of the assignedinvestigator, in this case the manger of the Chicago AirportsDistrict Office of the FAA's Great Lakes Region. At the end of theinvestigation, the FAA will issue an Enforcement InvestigativeReport. If the report suggests that there's evidence to proceed,then the FARs say "a notice of proposed order may be issued orother enforcement action taken." That enforcement could be anythingup to and including fining the city for its action. There is notime limit for an informal investigation, but any civil penaltyaction must be taken within two years of the event - in thiscase by March 30, 2005. "The fact of the matter is that nothing the FAA eventually doeswill bring Meigs Field back," said Boyer. "But the FAA's declaringthat our complaint has merit sends a message to the next mayor orcounty supervisor or governor who gets the same idea to shut downan airport in the dark of night - 'don't try it!'" FMI: www.aopa.org |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Starcraft Aerospace closing | Dr. Hibbert | Aviation Marketplace | 1 | June 13th 04 10:25 PM |
Aero Advantage closing shop. | Eric Ulner | Owning | 51 | May 17th 04 03:56 AM |
FINALLY -- 9-11 panel will investigate NORAD | Laura Bush murdered her boy friend | Military Aviation | 7 | April 26th 04 05:46 PM |
Airspace closing early | Jeff | Piloting | 14 | December 30th 03 11:48 PM |