AOPA argues suit to protect airports

AOPA argues suit to protect airports

AOPA Counsel Kathy Yodice last week argued AOPA's suit against the FAA challenging the agency's authority to close an airport. A three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals sitting in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 13 heard AOPA's arguments that the FAA has exceeded its authority in "releasing" an airport sponsor from its Airport Improvement Program (AIP) or surplus property grant obligations. The suit is specifically challenging the FAA's decisions that permitted Kansas City (Missouri) to close Richards-Gebaur Memorial Airport, a former Air Force base conveyed in 1985 for use as a civilian reliever airport. (See " AOPA files precedent-setting suit in federal appeals court to protect general aviation airports nationwide.")

The judges also heard from the attorneys representing the FAA, Kansas City, and Friends of Richards-Gebaur.

The court took the issue under advisement and will issue its ruling later.

00-2-091x

June 19, 2000