— from the Washington Airport Managers Association —

The FAA’s proposed policy on non-aeronautical uses of airport hangars has been published in the Federal Register.

In brief:
· Hangars must be used for an aeronautical purpose or be available for use for one unless otherwise approved by FAA.

· An Airport sponsor may permit limited, non-aeronautical items to be stored in hangars provided those items are incidental to the aeronautical use and occupy an insignificant amount of hangar space.

In general, “incidental items”:
o Do not interfere with the aeronautical use of the hangar;
o Do not displace the aeronautical contents of the hangar;
o Do not impede access to aircraft or other aeronautical contents of the hangar;
o Do not require a larger hangar than would otherwise be necessary if such items were not present;
o Occupy an insignificant amount of hangar space;
o Are owned by the hangar owner or tenant;
o Are not used for non-aeronautical commercial purposes (i.e., the tenant is not conducting a non-aeronautical business from the hangar including storing inventory);
o Are not stored in violation of airport rules and regulations.

Where hangars are unoccupied and there is no current aviation demand for hangar space, the sponsor may request that FAA approve an interim, non-aeronautical, use for a period of no more than 5 years.

Comments on the proposed rule are due on Sept. 5. For further information, go to the WAMA Website: www.wama.us

Thanks to Tony Simpson, Port of Orcas Manager

**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**