Regional Affairs

AOPA has filed a formal complaint with the FAA over limitations on aircraft operations at Pompano Airpark in Florida. Among other things, the restrictions attempt to limit flight training. Since 1995, the City of Pompano Beach has prohibited all stop-and-go activities at the airport; restricted touch-and-go operations to between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, and banned all touch-and-goes on weekends or legal holidays; prohibited intersection takeoffs; banned prolonged running of aircraft engines between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.; and prohibited manned glider flights. Now the city council has adopted even more restrictions for taxi-back operations. AOPA's formal complaint points out that all such operations are normal and are routinely conducted at other airports. The federal government deeded what became Pompano Airpark to the city as war surplus following World War II. The city must use the land as an airport without undue restrictions or the federal government can take back the land. See AOPA Online.