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Spokane International Airport and the Spokane Airport Tenant Association claim a controversial airport hangar use policy proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration has significant flaws.
The policy outlines the use of hangars at any airport that receives federal grants. It specifically outlines regulations for the use of hangars for non-aeronautical purposes. FAA has closed the commenting period on the proposed changes and hasn't taken any other action yet.
"It's a really broad-based policy that's seeking to regulate what ways hangars can be used at airports, as well as the size of hangars and the activities that go on inside of them," says Larry Krauter, CEO of Spokane International Airport.
There are roughly 200 hangars between the Spokane International Airport and Felts Field that could be affected by this policy, Krauter says. At this point, there isn't a timeline for implementing the policy, he says.
"I think the FAA did not anticipate that there would be so many comments made," he says. "I think they're going to take quite some time to consider these comments before coming out with a new policy. It could take months."
Marcia Alexander-Adams, a Washington, D.C.-based spokeswoman for the FAA, confirms that the agency currently is reviewing all of the comments on the policy and doesn't have any further remarks at this time.
Krauter says the hangars are usually under multiple ownerships, including a mix of private and public owners. That the FAA is trying to regulate privately-owned hangars is worrisome, he says.
"That's where, in...