Standards Review

Standards Review

NATA recommendations to FAA's proposed rewrite of Advisory Circular on minimum standards

Special to Airport Business: Subcommittee Report, NATA Airports Committee

August 1999

To: Manager, Airport Compliance Division Office of Airport Safety and Standards (AAS-400) Federal Aviation Administration
RE: Comments on the FAA Draft Advisory Circular XX, Exclusive Rights and Minimum Standards for Commercial Aeronautical Activities and Services

NATA offers the following (excerpted) comments to the Draft Advisory Circular (AC) for consideration. The comments specify the section from the FAA Draft AC and the NATA recommendation.

Section 1.2, paragraph 4. The owner of a public-use airport (public or private owner) may elect to provide any or all of the aeronautical services needed by the public at the airport. In fact, the statutory prohibition against exclusive rights does not apply to these owners and they may exercise but not grant the exclusive right to conduct any aeronautical activity. However, these owners must engage in such activities as principals using their own employees and resources. An independent commercial enterprise that has been designated as agent of the owner may not exercise nor be granted an exclusive right.

NATA Comments:
The FAA must explain its policy on contracting management duties and its effect on proprietary exclusive services.

Section 1.3b, paragraph 1: b. Space Limitation. A single enterprise may expand as needed, even if its growth ultimately results in the complete occupancy of all space available. However, an exclusive rights violation occurs when an airport sponsor unreasonably excludes a qualified applicant from engaging in an on-airport aeronautical activity without just cause. An exclusive rights violation can be effected through the use of leases where, for example, all the available airport land or facilities suitable for aeronautical activities are leased to a single user. A lease that confers an exclusive rights agreement will be construed as having the intent to do so and, therefore, be in violation of FAA policy.

NATA Comments:
The FAA should clarify that an airport will not be in violation if an FBO has an existing long-term lease for the only property appropriate for FBO activities and a new FBO wants to conduct aeronautical activities through the fence.

Section 1.3b, paragraph 2. Airport sponsors may be better served by requiring that leases to a single user be limited to the amount of land the user can demonstrate is actually needed and can be put to immediate use. In the event that additional space is required later, the incumbent should be required to compete along with all other qualified bidders for the available land. The grant of options or preferences on future sites to a single incumbent will also be construed as the intent to grant an exclusive right.

NATA Comments:
The term "immediate use" should provide for an opportunity by an aviation business to implement a phased-in plan within a five-year time period.

Section 1.3d, paragraph 1-3: d. Restrictions on Self-Service. An aircraft owner, who is entitled to use the landing area of an airport, may tie-down, adjust, repair, refuel, clean, and otherwise service his/her own aircraft, provided the service is performed by the aircraft owner or his/her employees with resources supplied by the aircraft owner. Moreover, the service must be conducted in accordance with reasonable rules or standards established by the sponsor. Any unreasonable restriction imposed on the owners or operators of aircraft regarding the servicing of their own aircraft will be construed as a violation of this policy.

NATA Comments:
The FAA should clarify that aircraft management companies are permitted to maintain the aircraft under contract provided the management company is meeting the airport's minimum standards.