Eckels FYIHi Jane
Just a quick fact check regarding today's Interlake.
While the FAA does have a regulation on the books, they do not enforce
it!!! They have no equipment or personnel to do so.
I have talked at length with Pat (director of flight standards for FAA)
who has informed me that there is no monitoring whatsoever at city
airport. In fact the FAA doesn't even come and do interviews or file
reports. I feel this is very inappropriate.
If Fred or anyone else told you there is oversight, they are misleading
you.
Please call:
Pat Macquarrie FAA (Flight Standards/useless)
406-449-5270 x14 patrick.m.macquarrie@faa.gov
Regarding a citizens task force, it is nearly impossible to track down
perpetrators. A task force would not have the time nor the equipment to
do the job.
We know what the problem is -
it is the flight training.
Despite Jim Pierces assertion that I think they are doing a great job
because of a note I wrote him last summer - I would clarify my remarks -
they "showed improvement" from an F to a C-. Yes this is a step in the
right direction. (It was a beautiful summer day and I was trying to
spread some goodwill - he has used the note against me ever since).
By the way, I would like to confirm that Jim or FBO manager does not
even live in Kalispell - he lives in Many Lakes - comes here to make
noise. Is this appropriate?
The FAA has an extremely limited role - they have told me in no
uncertain terms that control lies with city government's ability to zone
what happens on the ground. To be blunt - for heaven's sake, use that
power! If the airport cannot exist without the flight school, then so
be it.
Good luck. Give Pat a call and he will confirm:
1. The FAA does not actually enforce flight regulations at city airport
(this might take some arm twisting)
2. Power lies with the city government through zoning (in fact it it
because of him that I started coming to council meetings!)
Beware of what folks tell you about the FAA. I went down this path
before.
Sincerely,
Steve Eckels