Potomac Highlands Airport Authority wouldn't be in jeopardy of losing Federal Aviation Administratoin funding if autocross was held: Greater Cumberland Regional Airport (KCBE)

WILEY FORD, W.Va. — The Potomac Highlands Airport Authority is not in jeopardy of losing federal airport development funding if the authority requests to hold a non-aeronautical event at the airport that is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to letter to Delegate Gary Howell from Eduardo A. Angeles,  U.S. Department of Transportation FAA associate administrator for airports.

“The FAA retains the sole discretion in whether or not to permit non-aeronautical events on airport property. Airport sponsors who request FAA’s permission to use aeronautical property for a non-aeronautical event would not be in jeopardy of FAA withholding future airport funding for simply seeking permission to do so,” writes Angeles.

In June, the authority voted to allow the National Road Autosport, LLC to use property outside the operational grounds to hold an autocross. Members of the NRA have said that there isn’t a place to hold the autocross races outside of the fence. The decision to allow the autocross to occur outside of the fence was made in order to protect the facilities obtained through FAA funding, Leon Hinkle, authority member indicated during a previous meeting. In September 2013, the authority was awarded a $2.3 million FAA grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for runway rehabilitation. During an authority meeting in June, Terry Page, manager of the FAA in Dulles, Va., told the authority that funding could be affected by holding the autocross.

“While a letter from the FAA to U.S. Senator (Ben) Cardin clearly showing the regional FAA office was instructed to work with the PHAA in preparing a proper plan for a non-aeronautical event to be held at the Cumberland Regional Airport with FAA permission, the false rumor that the PHAA would withhold funding for asking or proceeding with permission persisted,” writes Howell in a letter to Authority Chairman Gregg Wolff.

Howell indicated that he contacted FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta to request clarification on the matter and was told in both instances that the funding would not be jeopardized by holding a non-aeronautical event.

“The Cumberland Regional Airport should be a point of pride and economic opportunity for our two counties,” writes Howell in an email to the Allegany and Mineral County Commissioners and District 1 Legislators. “I am at a loss to understand why the PHAA is not making its best efforts towards that goal.”

The authority decided not to forward a detailed request on behalf of the NRA to the FAA to hold the autocross on airport grounds. A request to use airport property for a non-aeronautical event is initiated through the submission of a detailed proposal developed by the airport sponsor. According to FAA policy, an airport sponsor must request and receive permission from the FAA before using federally obligated airport property for a non-aeronautical event, according to Angeles. If the authority were to allow a non-aeronautical event they would be subject to compliance with any terms, conditions or requirements imposed by the FAA as a condition of the approval. If the authority failed to meet the FAA requirements then their access to the future federal project funding under the Airport Improvement Program would be in jeopardy, according to Angeles.

“In all cases, the FAA’s consideration about non-aeronautical events on airport property is to advance the safety, efficiency and utility of the airport of its intended aeronautical purpose and to protect the taxpayer’s investment in airport infrastructure,” writes Angeles. 

The FAA 7460-1 form sent to the FAA requesting to hold a non-aeronautical needs to provide details of the event; addresses eight questions with regards to airspace and grant assurances and identify two-way contact information, according to an FAA document.

In November 2013, the authority sent the NRA a letter stating that they were informed by the FAA that non-aviation activities on the runways and taxiways violate funding criteria of the Airport Improvement Plan.

Ryan Shaffer, airport manager just received the letters and is reviewing them before commenting.

- Source:  http://www.times-news.com