Professional Pilot Banned From Airport

Lindberg said:
Yes, most attorneys expect to get paid. And most clients for some reason think that principles are very important, but not important enough to come out of pocket for. If the OP is indigent, I am sure there is a local legal aid society that could likely find an attorney willing to handle the case pro bono. Otherwise, I am certain he'd have no trouble retaining the services of a qualified attorney if he's willing to pay the hourly rate.
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All reasonable points, but IMX, and maybe it is a California thing, many attorneys don't spend much effect to figure out if there are any fee shifting options, etc, or explain the economics of the situation. Perhaps I was over informed by his comment that implied that that the attorney was expecting him to do legal research. Too many attorneys seem to be sitting around hoping for a client to roll into the office in a wheelchair with a video of the FedEx truck that ran the red light to make them a paraplegic.
 
I've paid for and retained counsel. I'm willing and able to pay as much more as needed to move forward with this.
 
You an AOPA member? Might try calling them seeking some help if so.
 
register@teamandras.com said:
Not sure, but I think the airport is Clovis, NM, not Clovis, CA.
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Since she acknowledged she is not licensed in NM in a previous post, I'm sure she knows that. The comment of "a California thing" references the lack of effort she sees from her California peers.
 
rsleeds said:
Since she acknowledged she is not licensed in NM in a previous post, I'm sure she knows that. The comment of "a California thing" references the lack of effort she sees from her California peers.
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Perhaps. I originally assumed it was Clovis, CA, so I'm just looking for somebody as goofed up as me. o_O
 
I too would have guessed California until Kristin mentioned New Mexico, but it appears that the Clovis in California does not own an airport. (Adjacent Fresno Yosemite International Airport is operated by the City of Fresno.)
 
FWIW, You can literally file a part 13 on the back of a napkin (I would not recommend it, however) as it is truly an "informal" complaint. Seriously though, a well written email to the compliance specialist at the local FAA Airport District Office is sufficient to get the ball running. Often times just a few phone calls is enough to resolve the problem. If your intent is to recover damages (which it doesn't sound like it is) you'd have to go down the civil suit route who'll just will be long costly, and in the end, no guarantees.

If your attorney is not familiar with the FAA part 13/16 adjudication process, I wouldn't waste my money on attorney fees.
 
C Arias said:
I'm afraid my local attorney although he believes I'd win in any court also doesn't think there'd be very much money awarded in a case like this. My feeling is I really don't care about the money as much as the damage to my reputation and the fact that if they get away with this today they will do it again tomorrow or anytime someone attempts to hold them accountable.
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Find a different attorney. One who specializes in [pick one] property rights, constitutional law, aviation law.
 
Brad Z said:
FWIW, You can literally file a part 13 on the back of a napkin (I would not recommend it, however) as it is truly an "informal" complaint. Seriously though, a well written email to the compliance specialist at the local FAA Airport District Office is sufficient to get the ball running. Often times just a few phone calls is enough to resolve the problem. If your intent is to recover damages (which it doesn't sound like it is) you'd have to go down the civil suit route who'll just will be long costly, and in the end, no guarantees.

If your attorney is not familiar with the FAA part 13/16 adjudication process, I wouldn't waste my money on attorney fees.
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Agreed....an informal complaint is easy peasy. We went thru the entire process (part 13) successfully for our banned pilot without an attorney....caveat being, I did have some law enforcement background to crutch on. 3 words...document, document, document. We found the FAA folks easy to work with once they realized there was, in fact, a problem, which we showed by documenting what had been said and done to her.

Jim
 
They should hold city managers, council, mayors etc etc liable for a percentage of all the suits brought by people effected by their bad choices. This would eliminate all of this power trip domination rule.


I am sorry you have to go through all of this. Maybe there is a neighboring airport you can continue to fly from and continue to use Clovis airport for a practice drop zone for your bags of poo.
Might want to start a separate thread though.
 
Just started a new thread and uploaded the document I received notifying me of my ban.
 
A final update regarding Ms. Stype and KBJJ...

The attention brought to the County Commissioner by the FAA during their investigation required they take a good look at the airport situation. As a result, the 7-member airport authority board 'voluntarily' dis-banded, and direct supervision was taken over by the 3 CC's. All airport employees were 'let go' and offered the opportunity to apply for the newly created (parallel) County airport positions. The only one hired back was the airport manager, who was put on a year's probation, and a short leash. The short leash continues today although I, for one, am happy with the positive changes I've seen in him

The CC's have become convinced of what a tremendous asset the airport is to the County and surrounding area. As a result, they actually spend time here reviewing what goes on. Their airport commitment is evidenced by the totally re-built runway (finished early Fall and now grooved), and re-surfaced taxi-way between the hangars. The runway parallel taxi-way is also scheduled to be re-done. We have a couple nice courtesy cars, and things are just getting done now that weren't

Oh, yeah.....not much has changed for JoAnn. She and her boss still fly the Baron regularly together, and she is a fixture at the airport. She and the airport manager have both worked at resolving the rift between them, and have the appearance of a good working relationship. JoAnn re-upped her CFI a few months ago on general principles, but does no instruction. Not bad for one's mid-80's.

Sometimes the good guys (girl) wins!

Jim
 
Carlos, has AOPA been notified?
 
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AOPA has been notified and suggested the part 13 complaint.
 
C Arias said:
AOPA has been notified and suggested the part 13 complaint.
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They should be able to recommend a mouthpiece with the right experience. Are you on the Legal Plan?
 
I did get the legal plan.
 
Jim Rosenow said:
A final update regarding Ms. Stype and KBJJ...

The attention brought to the County Commissioner by the FAA during their investigation required they take a good look at the airport situation. As a result, the 7-member airport authority board 'voluntarily' dis-banded, and direct supervision was taken over by the 3 CC's. All airport employees were 'let go' and offered the opportunity to apply for the newly created (parallel) County airport positions. The only one hired back was the airport manager, who was put on a year's probation, and a short leash. The short leash continues today although I, for one, am happy with the positive changes I've seen in him

The CC's have become convinced of what a tremendous asset the airport is to the County and surrounding area. As a result, they actually spend time here reviewing what goes on. Their airport commitment is evidenced by the totally re-built runway (finished early Fall and now grooved), and re-surfaced taxi-way between the hangars. The runway parallel taxi-way is also scheduled to be re-done. We have a couple nice courtesy cars, and things are just getting done now that weren't

Oh, yeah.....not much has changed for JoAnn. She and her boss still fly the Baron regularly together, and she is a fixture at the airport. She and the airport manager have both worked at resolving the rift between them, and have the appearance of a good working relationship. JoAnn re-upped her CFI a few months ago on general principles, but does no instruction. Not bad for one's mid-80's.

Sometimes the good guys (girl) wins!

Jim
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Good to hear. I get over there once a month or so and do T&Gs. I will look for your place next time. I want to take the family to the Barn for lunch some Sunday. Good to know they have courtesy cars.
 
Jim_CAK said:
Good to hear. I get over there once a month or so and do T&Gs. I will look for your place next time. I want to take the family to the Barn for lunch some Sunday. Good to know they have courtesy cars.
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We appreciate your business :) PM me, and I can meet you at the FBO when you get over!

Jim_BJJ
 
Jim Rosenow said:
We appreciate your business :) PM me, and I can meet you at the FBO when you get over!

Jim_BJJ
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Not hard to find if you know where to look. ;) I asked after you today Jim, was hoping to run into you. Took the Explorer to the Cheese Shoppe but unfortunately we had to leave due to my friend having a family emergency. We were probably only there an hour. Definitely plan to return. BJJ.JPG
 
BTW, Barb was really great and I think the lady from your original post may have been there when we first arrived around Noon!
 
Hey....I can see my house from there, Greg!! I actually watched you guys. Would have been over but had a guy at the house doing some work.

You need to try the goat gouda cheese from that place...it's awesome!....but have yet to find something there that wasn't good.

Barb is a sweetie, isn't she. Nice lady! Joann the same, 'slightly' older and more opinionated.

Next time!

Jim
 
Necropost! I earned my Instrument rating under JoAnn’s tutelage, still have treasured family-in-law in the area, and find a welcome whenever my Mooney shows up on the ramp, maybe once a year. I was wondering how my friend and mentor was faring, and found this. What a tempest, I hope now long blown over. She was there waiting to greet me two years ago, I found her at home last year, and my wonderful ex-Mooney-partner showed up to offer a warm departure hug. It was good to be “home,” however briefly. I’ll be there for a minute next weekend, hoping for happy gossip.-Mimi
 
Amelia said:
Necropost! I earned my Instrument rating under JoAnn’s tutelage, still have treasured family-in-law in the area, and find a welcome whenever my Mooney shows up on the ramp, maybe once a year. I was wondering how my friend and mentor was faring, and found this. What a tempest, I hope now long blown over. She was there waiting to greet me two years ago, I found her at home last year, and my wonderful ex-Mooney-partner showed up to offer a warm departure hug. It was good to be “home,” however briefly. I’ll be there for a minute next weekend, hoping for happy gossip.-Mimi
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Hi, Mimi!

Lotsa water under the bridge since the last post. Time has marched on for JoAnn, and she has retired to a nursing home South of the airport. She's struggling <sigh>. Do the math...if I recall, she was 82 in 2015. I can PM her phone to you, if you don't have it.

We now have an excellent airport manager and staff. A couple of years ago we were actually Ohio 'airport of the year'. I'd like to think JoAnn's debacle contributed directly to that by opening a few eyes.

The auxiliary players? Ellen and I still live North of the airport, and keep our R182 and Citabria there. She's still flying the Citation, and life is good!

Jim
 
Thinking back, it must’ve been well more than a year since we last hunted her down. Last year we were still waiting for an IO550 overhaul. NC to OH is a long drive when you’re spoiled.And yes, the airport seemed transformed when we visited last. Not the facilities, but the feel of the place, the smiles that reached the eyes.
I’m sorry to hear she’s relocated. At our last visit, she didn’t seem as sharp as I remembered. The name of her current home would be lovely, and Rob and I will try to drop in on her for a minute.-Mimi
 
Interesting necropost. As a 90 year old pilot, last pilot in command a year and a half ago, I really appreciate how much she needed outside assistance to win this issue.

I kept thinking of Arthur Godfrey, and his issues with the tower at Hybla Valley airport, many years ago. A historic place, the first official airport in Virginia, in 1929.
They banned him and his airplane. He donated most of his farm to the local city, if they developed it into an airport. A clause in the contract stipulated that if he was denied use of any of the facilities, the ownership returned to him, with all improvements. JYO, Leesburg Executive, AKA Godfrey Field, is prospering. Anybody here that has flown to Hybla Valley? I think it is a shopping center, or apartment complex now. It was gone in 1956, before I had a license.....There is a historic marker there, accessible by car.
 
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