… and … this is what was posted on AOPA’s site today. Whole lot more there too about subject / photos at http://www.aopa.com AND below is some important e-mail addresses to send them your thoughts. Go to it!
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Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association files formal complaints with FAA, IDOT over destruction of Meigs Field
Apr. 4 — The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the world’s largest civil aviation organization, today filed formal complaints with both the Federal Aviation Administration and the Illinois Department of Transportation alleging that the city of Chicago’s destruction of Meigs Field airport violated federal law and state regulations.
“Mayor Daley landed the first punch in the latest fight over Meigs,” said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “But it was not a knockout blow. Today’s filings are the first of many counterpunches AOPA is planning to win the airport’s reopening.”
AOPA’s complaint to the FAA claims that the city of Chicago violated both the U.S. Code and Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and that the city plans to continue demolition once all aircraft stranded by the city’s actions are removed from the airport. The U.S. Code states that an airport or landing area not involving the expenditure of federal money may be altered substantially “only if the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration is given reasonable prior notice, so that the Administrator may provide advice on the effects” of the alteration [emphasis added]. In order for the administrator to carry out that obligation, Federal Aviation Regulations state that anyone intending to alter a runway, deactivate a runway or airport, or change the status of an airport must submit notice of that intent at least 90 days prior to taking such action.
The FARs do provide for immediate emergency action, such as in the case of national security, which Daley is claiming. However, even in the case of an emergency, if the airport has a charted instrument approach, which Meigs Field does, a minimum of 30 days’ notice must be given.
AOPA is asking FAA Administrator Marion Blakey to issue a cease and desist order to prevent further destruction of the airport, to request the U.S. attorney general begin legal proceedings for a similar injunction, and to take legal action against the city for violating Federal Aviation Regulations and the law.
AOPA is also seeking similar relief from the State of Illinois. State regulations require that anyone seeking to alter an existing airport must first receive a certificate of approval from the state department of transportation. In today’s complaint,
AOPA claims, “The City of Chicago has altered and, we understand, plans to continue to alter Meigs Field without a certificate of approval . Because of the likelihood that the City of Chicago will continue to alter Meigs Field, an emergency exists requiring that the Division of Aeronautics schedule a hearing on an emergency basis to investigate the complaint.”
AOPA is calling on the Illinois Division of Aeronautics to go to court to prevent any further destruction at Meigs.
AOPA is the world’s largest civil aviation organization, with nearly 400,000 members. The association is dedicated to advancing the interests of general aviation and preventing the closure of civil airports throughout the country. These airports are a vital and critical component of a national transportation system.
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State judge grants temporary restraining order to protect Meigs from destruction
Apr. 4 — A Cook County (Illinois) Circuit Court judge this afternoon issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the city of Chicago from doing any more damage to Meigs Field airport. That action came after Friends of Meigs and other local groups filed a lawsuit this morning to stop the destruction of the airport. The TRO blocks the city until the case is tried on May 16.
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AOPA members join the Chicago boycott
Apr. 4 — AOPA is already hearing from members who are planning to boycott the city of Chicago and any business located there until Merrill C. Meigs Field is reopened.
One member who is scheduled toexhibit at a convention in Chicago sent AOPA a copy of a letter he’d sent to Mayor Richard M. Daley’s office. “We had planned to bring our personnel and equipment into Meigs Field. It is too late to cancel our attendance due to booth space commitments. However, we will reduce the number of employees attending the event from eight to two. We will not attend future conferences in Chicago and will avoid commercial flights to Chicago or flights that connect in Chicago until Meigs is reopened.”
“AOPA will bring all possible pressure to bear on Mayor Daley,” said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “Pilots are letting Daley know that his destruction of this valuable airport has consequences.” Let Mayor Daley and Gov. Blagojevich know what you think of the Meigs field closure.
SEND THEM YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!!!!!
Mayor Daley’s e-mail: [email]mayordaley@cityofchicago.org[/email]
Gov. Blagojevich’s e-mail: [email]governor@state.il.us[/email]
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