WARSAW — Tension was high at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Warsaw Board of Aviation, with several members of the Warsaw Flying Club present to contest accusations against the club.

“I hate to be doing this,” stated airport manager Nick King as he began what ended being an hour long discussion about an event held by the Warsaw Flying Club in which King suggested the club broke seven federal flying regulations.

King stated that on Sept. 19 at roughly 7 p.m. he was on his way home when he saw atypical flying activities taking place at the airport. The plane belonged to the Warsaw Flying Club.

King then recounted the events that took place that night. The Warsaw Flying Club was gathered for its usual barbecue get-together and was dropping flour bombs, a normal flying club activity.

King stated that he saw several issues that night: he believed, at that time, that the aircraft was lower than the 500 feet regulation; there were individuals in and standing near a golf cart on a runway; King saw two small children running across the runways and taxiways; and there were people mingling outside of the club’s hangar, a mere 125 feet from where one of the flour bombs was dropped. King later stated that the club was in violation when using a non-standard pattern for anything other than training purposes, as well as having vehicles on the runway or landing surfaces.

“These are huge issues for the airport,” stated King. King proceeded to shut the event down that night. “We can’t have that type of event at the airport without proper authorization.”

King went on to say that there is a proper way for the club to hold events and activities like that held on Sept. 19. For aeronautical events such as the flour bomb drop, the club, in conjunction with the airport, would file paperwork with the Federal Aviation Administration who would then approve or deny the activities. If denied, event plans would need to be altered.

Jayson Slabach was present to speak on behalf of the flying club. He stated that he had called the Flight Standard District Office in Grand Rapids, the FSDO authority for our area, explained the situation and was told the club broke no rules.

“I take following the rules very seriously … I don’t want to be violating any rules,” said Slabach.

Slabach went on to explain the safety precautions the group took during the event, stating that safety protocols were reviewed before pilots took off and that all aircraft were in a pattern and making position calls. There was disagreement between Slabach and King regarding the capability of transceivers and whether another aircraft in the area’s calls was being heard. The implication being that a major accident could happen if a landing aircraft was unaware of the club’s activity.

Board President Jay Rigdon’s main concern was that the airport was not notified of the club’s event and flour bomb plans. Slabach stated he was unaware that the flour bomb drop was happening until he had arrived at the event, a fact that perturbed Rigdon further.

Slabach stood by the notion that the club did not break any rules or regulations. King stated he had filed a report and the FSDO is investigating the incident. That said, the FSDO only has airspace jurisdiction. The ground space is under the regulation of the board.

Rigdon asked King what his recommendation was to resolve the issue of non-authorized use of the airport. King stated, “I absolutely do not know how to move forward from this. If we follow the rules we have in place, if we follow what the FAA tells us we need to be doing, if we follow the grant assurances that allow us to receive federal funding, eviction is the only thing that is across the board.”

Slabach and Warsaw Flying Club Vice President Kayte Fussle were taken aback by the statement, with Fussle later stating that she felt King has never wanted the club to be at the airport. “You’re going to the principal’s office before even going to the teacher,” stated Fussle regarding King filing a report with the FAA before speaking to the club.

The matter was tabled for next month’s meeting, 5:15 p.m. Nov. 14. In order to avoid eviction, Rigdon has asked Slabach, as a representative of the Warsaw Flying Club, to provide a written commitment on steps that will taken to make sure the problems will not be repeated. Rigdon asked that that commitment be given to King by Nov. 10.

In other business:

• Fuel usage at the airport is up.
• The airport was recognized at the CIP meeting last week for their pavement upkeep. Runways are paved to last 30 years; the average age of the Warsaw Airport runways is 31. The board approved crack sealing to keep up on that maintenance.
• The board approved an update of computer software, taking non-solid state hard drives to solid state.
• King updated the board on his search for appropriate security, looking particularly at Stanley Security. The board approved King to receive quotes.
• King has drafted a new airport land lease that is being reviewed by the board.
• The board approved events at the airport for CASA and Glam Boutique.