AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2019 - 12

AOPA ACTION

AOPA says Heber City is wrong
City says it will not support new FBO
UTAH'S HEBER CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT will likely
remain AOPA's most-complained-about location after
the city's latest actions continue to thwart competition
on the field. AOPA is challenging the city's excuses.
For nearly two years, the Heber City airport's sole
fixed-base operator, OK3 AIR, has been at the center
of controversy following complaints from pilots who
have incurred egregious fees at the airport.
With support from AOPA, Heber officials voted to
revise the airport minimum standards in 2017 and even
issued a request for proposals for a second FBO. While
things were looking positive, the airport has since hit
the brakes. Hoping to dodge further legal battles after
a 2017 lawsuit by OK3 AIR, the Heber City Council
voted to revert to 2016 Airport Minimum Standards
and suspend consideration of a new FBO and self-service fuel until completion of a new airport master plan.
Despite sharing AOPA's concerns about fuel prices and
a lack of competition on the field, Heber City Manager
Matthew Brower said he believes the current situation
at the airport is not conducive to updating the master
plan process, claiming more time is needed.
Brower claims the FAA was supportive and encouraged passage of the two recent resolutions. The city
also claimed that the FAA had threatened to withhold

future grants from the city if the
city did not update its airport
master plan. There is no basis
in FAA regulations for such
actions, and this would appear
to be outside of the agency's regulatory authority.
In a letter to Brower, AOPA
General Counsel Ken Mead
wrote that the city's actions are
at odds with the goals of competitively priced fuel and enhanced
BAKER ON THE NEWS
competition at the airport.
"AOPA believes the master planning
"It is not appropriate for masprocess should proceed from a founter plan development to serve as
dation that embraces competition, not
an excuse or mask for allowing an
one that cements a monopoly position
unlawful exclusive right enjoyed
in place. We will continue to push
by a monopoly position FBO to
back on Heber City's decision."
continue unabated. AOPA cannot
-AOPA President Mark Baker
and will not support master plan
development at the airport when
the apparent motivating factor is to cement in place a
monopoly position and provide cover for continuing violations of the grant assurances," Mead wrote.
aopa.org/FBOpricing

SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATES AOPA
SENATE RESOLUTION, S.Res.203, led by Sens.

Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Tammy Duckworth
(D-Ill.), passed the full Senate commemorating AOPA's eightieth anniversary.
"AOPA, representing the largest aviation community in the world, has been a
leader for the general aviation community
for decades. With the passage of this resolution, I am proud to pay tribute to AOPA's 80
years of faithful service to the aviation community," said Inhofe. "They have a strong
legacy of being tireless advocates for pilots
12 | AOPA PILOT July 2019

and contributing to aviation safety. AOPA
has always been a strong voice on Capitol
Hill for pilots and I wish them success for
the next 80 years."
Duckworth also reiterated praise for
AOPA: "For eight decades, AOPA has been
a leading advocate in the aviation community, educating the public and members of
congress about the many important issues
facing our nation's GA pilots. I'm excited to
have worked alongside Senator Inhofe to
pass this resolution."

AOPA President
Mark Baker said, "I
am honored that the U.S. Senate is commemorating AOPA's eightieth anniversary.
Our staff works hard to protect GA and
ensure its lasting vitality."
Other key supporters of the resolution
include Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Kevin
Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.),
Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.),
Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chris Van Hollen
(D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Joe
Manchin (D-W. Va.).

https://www.aopa.org/advocacy/airports-and-airspace/airport-advocacy/egregious-fbo-pricing

AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2019