Regional Affairs

FAA denies release of Delano airport property

The FAA on Nov. 29 officially denied the city of Delano's request to release 13 acres of Delano Municipal Airport property from federal obligations. AOPA had urged the FAA to deny the city's request. AOPA pointed out that the California airport is federal surplus property and is bound by federal funding to reserve its land for aeronautical use. However, the FAA said it would permit the city to lease five acres of the airport's southern-most property to Bechtold Equipment Company for nonaviation use. The agency stipulated that the lease must be shorter than five to 10 years and that it be terminated if the land is needed for aviation purposes.

December 7, 2007