FAA Sides With USPA Member
The FAA determined that the state of Michigan, through its manager at the Romeo State Airport, “acted as a barrier for airport access” to Mike Pelzer and Pegasus Parachuting Services (aka Motor City Skydiving Center). The FAA also found the state’s lack of process and transparency constituted an unreasonable denial of airport access. Pelzer filed a formal Part 16 complaint with the FAA after multiple failed attempts to secure an operating agreement with the airport’s manager. A Part 16 complaint is a lengthy administrative review. After more than two years of deliberation, the FAA ordered the state to take immediate steps to accommodate skydiving operations. Pelzer filed the successful complaint with help from attorney Rick Durden and USPA Director of Government Relations Randy Ottinger.