Oct 28 2009, 9:52 AM
Orcas Island Letter to the Editor, October 28, 2009
FAA vs. the Port
About 40 or 50 years ago, a chap by name of "Cap Ferris" donated a large tract of land to our airport with the stipulation that he and his heirs or assigns be allowed airport use rights in perpetuity. Since that time the parcels have changed hands a few times leaving the use rights in force. The so-called "through the fence" owners are still rightful users of this package. Without Cap's largess we would not have the land or the fine airport we have today.
These TTF folks are a generous lot - many are Angel Flight contributors for those needing medical transport by air and always available to mentor those youngsters fascinated by aviation. They each contributed to the FAA's demand for a protective mammal fence around the airport four years or so ago. General Bill Anders has put together a wonderful aviation museum dedicated to public education and also has contributed a section of his land to the Port for free. All these neighbors of ours have paid a premium price for their properties due to the airport connection. This fostered higher property values and higher property taxes for those taxing authorities.
These TTF folks are our good friends and neighbors - why go to war over something so trivial and obscure?
The FAA's solution is to hit them with a $300 per annum charge which would be difficult to administer equitably. One pilot possesses 15 aircraft, some of which are hangared in Bellingham. Another pilot has five aircraft while some have two or three. One has a glider, which cannot be flown here for safety reasons. Some own no aircraft - one runs an aircraft repair shop - another is on a three-year rebuild of his airplane. Charging fees by the airplane will not work fairly - and how do you charge a guy who just wishes to be around airplanes? These people are no closer to deadbeat status than my aunt Tilly.
To lay a questionable fee on a guy who flew to the moon or served his country in Iraq or other lands is folly and not proper. If we pursue this course, it most certainly will get dirty and a bunch of lawyers will get rich - and for what, a couple hundred bucks?
Al Edwards
