May 21, 2009
The Honorable Scott Smith
Mayor
City of Mesa
PO Box 1466
Mesa AZ 85211-1466
Dear Mayor Smith:
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before the Congress, federal agencies and state governments. NATA’s over 2,000 member companies own, operate and service aircraft and provide for the needs of the traveling public by offering services and products to aircraft operators and others such as fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, parts sales, storage, rental, airline servicing, flight training, Part 135 on-demand air charter, fractional aircraft program management and scheduled commuter operations in smaller aircraft. NATA members are a vital link in the aviation industry providing services to the general public, airlines, general aviation and the military.
As president of NATA, I am writing to express my deep concern about some recent developments raised by our members at Falcon Field. A quick Internet search reveals newspaper articles, op-eds and even a Web site all denigrating a single aeronautical operator, Sabena Flight Training, located at Falcon Field. The expressed concerns over this operator range from noise and safety to pollution, and the rhetoric is getting louder and louder.
I am sure you and the City Council are under tremendous political pressure to “do something.” A recent resolution posted, and then withdrawn, from the city council agenda sent the wrong impression to local businesses. Because this resolution targeted one specific class of operator with threats such as “restrict or deny use of the airport,” many businesses felt their airport sponsor had taken a hostile position. I would like to commend you and the city council for withdrawing this resolution. It was a first step in easing fears that the city would follow a course of limiting or restricting access to a public-use airport.
NATA understands the concerns of the residents of the city of Mesa with the increases in traffic that have occurred at Falcon Field. However, it is very important to note that the city has received over $9 million in federal funds through the Airport Improvement Program over the last 20 years. This investment of federal funds is designed to enhance accessibility to the National Airspace System. City residents may feel that the city can limit access to the airport facilities when it feels there is a safety issue, but as recent development at Santa Monica Municipal Airport in southern California demonstrate, the Federal Aviation Administration is the final authority on issues of safety.
Before the rhetoric reaches a crescendo, I believe the city would benefit from a dialogue with the individuals in the regional FAA Airports Office. This communication would give the City of Mesa the resources and information to address the concerns of local residents without generating apprehension of how the FAA may react. Involving the FAA airports office at this stage would also allow the citizens of Mesa to direct their questions and concerns to the federal agency that is directly tasked with ensuring safety at the nation’s airports. NATA has extensive experience working with the FAA airports office, and I would like to extend an offer of assistance in setting up meetings that you feel would benefit the city of Mesa, its residents and Falcon Field businesses.
It is my understanding that you are the co-owner of a private aircraft, as am I. Therefore, I am sure you are aware of the wide range of benefits that general aviation provides to local communities, small businesses and the nation. These benefits are maximized by free and open access to public use airports. Attempts to limit access to these facilities unjustly could have disastrous consequences to the ongoing success of the general aviation industry. Therefore, I ask you and the city of Mesa not to limit access at Falcon Field but rather engage in a dialogue with the regional FAA airports office to develop the most efficient means for dealing with the concerns of the residents of the City of Mesa.
If I may be of assistance to you, the city or the airport in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
James K. Coyne
President