IF THERE IS A PROBLEM.

IF THERE IS A PROBLEM. 

Be careful, if there is a problem at your airport, and the sponsor caused it, either they don’t know the rules, or they don’t care.  If they don’t know the rules, they are not going to like being told about it.  Just try and tell a public official they are doing something wrong.    

If the problem is intentional, be REAL careful.  Now you have a bad politician, or public official that knows what’s up and knows that they have been found out.  If they have connections greater than yours, walk away, you cannot win unless you have documented proof, and a way to publish it, and then you are still at a 90% disadvantage. 

The first problems you will encounter is obtaining information. 

We heard this dozens of times.  “You don’t even live here, what business is it of yours”?  This is the first sign of people that do not know the rules.  All airport business is public business.  It is not based on residency.   All airport information is to be made available to the public.   OK that is simple, maybe??  The FAA has changed that definition.  At one time if someone asked for airport information, the sponsor was supposed to provide it.  But now that is up to interpretation.  Some FAA personnel will state they have to give it to you.   They have to get it out of a file drawer and hand it over.   Other FAA or MoDOT personnel will say that you have to make a sunshine request, or Freedom of information request.  In Missouri a Sunshine Law request is worthless.  If you are requesting information from MoDOT Aviation, it will take months.  If you are requesting information about an airport from the sponsor, they are required by law to provide it, but they can charge you hundreds of dollars for “research time”.   And it can take as long as the sponsor wants it to take as long as they respond in three days and tell you they are looking for it. 

The problem in Missouri is that no one in state government enforces the laws that pertain to local government.  They were never written.  If you want public information, and an airport sponsor does not want to give it to you, you have to take them to court, and if you don’t win, at your expense.  Prepare to drop $60,000 to start. 

If you are reading this and you have a problem at your airport, and you are in Missouri, get to know your state legislators, if you have to go to Jefferson City and meet them do it.  They might be able to help.  If you do not have a political connection, you are out of luck. 

If you do get the information, What do you do next!!!!!!!!