This Story Continues To Get Stranger...
The President of the NATA is taking
on the increasingly bizarre actions of some town leaders who are
seeking to usurp Federal Law using local restrictions that not only
seem to be illegal but continue to paint some of the town's
leadership as more than a little off the wall. Still, despite the
truly strange actions of the Grant-Valkaria opposition, Coyne makes
a proper and constructive argument for a reversal in their attacks
on GA.
Text of NATA/Coyne Letter
Dear Mayor Yonts and Town Council:
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the voice of
aviation business, is the public policy group representing the
interests of aviation businesses before the Congress, federal
agencies and state governments.
NATA's over 2,000 member companies own, operate and service
aircraft and provide for the needs of the traveling public by
offering services and products to aircraft operators and others
such as fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, parts sales, storage,
rental, airline servicing, flight training, Part 135 on-demand air
charter, fractional aircraft program management and scheduled
commuter operations in smaller aircraft. NATA members are a vital
link in the aviation industry providing services to the general
public, airlines, general aviation and the military.
As president of NATA, I am writing be cause of my deep concern
over resolution 2009-03. With this resolution, the town of
Grant-Valkaria is attempting to use its zoning power to ban flight
training activities at a public-use airport that is neither owned
nor operated by the town. The only justification given in the
resolution for this severe restriction of an aeronautical activity
is that it will benefit the general welfare of residents of the
town.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant assurances and
surplus property assurances require that airport sponsors not
unjustly restrict aeronautical activities at the airports they
operate. Airport sponsors also have a limited power, with FAA
oversight, to regulate aeronautical activity based on reasons of
safety. Because the town of Grant-Valkaria is not the sponsor of
Valkaria Airport, its attempts to restrict aeronautical activities
will be held to even higher standards.
NATA believes that the town of Grant-Valkaria does not have the
authority to regulate aeronautical activities at Valkaria Airport.
Even if the town did have this authority, an outright ban of one
class of aeronautical activity will certainly be deemed unjust by
the FAA and the courts. By considering resolution 2009-03, the town
is choosing a course of action to address its concerns that will
ultimately lead to FAA and judicial intervention. A cursory review
of applicable case law clearly shows that resolution 2009-03 will
not stand.
NATA takes seriously threats to general aviation and has worked
closely with the FAA Airports Office and airport sponsors to defend
airports and aviation businesses from unjust attacks. NATA is
asking that the town of Grant-Valkaria withdraw resolution
2009-03.
Rather that embarking on a course of action that will ultimately
fail, I would like to suggest that the town engage in a dialogue
with the Valkaria Airport sponsor to develop appropriate solutions
to the town's concerns.
NATA would like to offer its assistance in facilitating this
dialogue.
NATA understands that the most effective means to addressing a
locality's concerns about airport activity is to engage all
stakeholders in a process that avoids arbitrary and unjust
restrictions of the freedom to participate in aeronautical
activities.
Sincerely, James K Coyne, President