Metro Nashville Airport Authority Found to Have Violated Grant Assurances

The Federal Aviation Administration Office of Airport Compliance recently issued a Director’s Determination that takes the side of a Nashville skydiving center, finally putting an end to a six-year legal dispute. The agency pointed out multiple grant violations, unreasonable requirements, and purposeful inaction in its decision.

The dispute traces back to 2019 with Go Skydive’s initial business proposal to operate at John C. Tune Airport (JWN). Instead of responding in a timely manner, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) dragged its feet for years, at one point imposing a $1 million liability insurance requirement that the FAA has since deemed unreasonable.

By 2025, after multiple investigations and mounting evidence of “apparent noncompliance,” Go Skydive filed a formal complaint. The United States Parachute Association quickly got involved by helping to prepare filings and coordinate with regulators.

The FAA has now ruled that MNAA’s actions violated Grant Assurance 22, which requires economic nondiscrimination at federally funded airports. The delays, unsubstantiated allegations, and excessive insurance demands were each cited as violations. On top of that, MNAA’s refusal to finalize an operating agreement was judged to be unjust discrimination and a denial of access. This puts it squarely in violation of Grant Assurance 23, which prohibits exclusive rights.

For an airport authority that has enjoyed millions in federal funds, this was not the ruling it was hoping for. Until MNAA corrects the violations, submitting a corrective action plan that gives Go Skydive the access it should have had years ago, the agency will recommend withholding future funding.

After years of unnecessary obstacles, Go Skydive now has the FAA’s full support. It turns out that taking federal money does come with conditions… a fact the airport authority seemed to have overlooked during the six-year stalemate.

FMI: https://goskydivenashville.com