Glider ban. . .
- From: Len Nash <lennash@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Harris Hill <hhsc1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:32:43 -0800 (PST)
FAA Overturns Airport Glider Ban
In a precedent-setting decision, the operator of a Southern California airport
has been ordered by the FAA to allow resumption of glider operations or risk
losing its federal grants. As we reported in 2009, Riverside County evicted
more than 40 gliders and closed the grass strip they used, citing safety
concerns. The agency ruled last week the county's reasoning was "flawed" and,
after studying the issue, determined the airport layout will accommodate the
"safe simultaneous operations of glider and powered aircraft." The crux of the
matter was whether safety was used as a cover for discrimination against the
gliders and the FAA suggested the eviction was an "unreasonable denial" of use
at the airport. "The (county) is obligated by its grant assurances … to operate
the airport -- not just specific pieces of infrastructure on it -- on
reasonable terms and without unjust discrimination," the FAA said in its
decision.
The FAA study and subsequent decision resulted from a complaint filed by the
Orange County Soaring Association (OSCA) and backed by AOPA, the Soaring
Society of America and CalPilots. OSCA President Larry Tuohino said the
successful outcome of their appeal sends a message to federally funded airports
all over the U.S. "This case has been closely followed nationally as a 'test
case' for asserting the rights of glider pilots at other public-funded
airports," said Larry Tuohino. To avoid jeopardizing the federal grants, the
county has to lift the glider ban and enter "good faith" negotiations with any
commercial glider operation that might want to rent space.
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- » Glider ban. . . - Len Nash
