Iowa airport ultralight access row referred to federal authorities

A dispute over how an ultralight pilot uses Fairfield Municipal Airport in Iowa has gone to federal agencies and local authorities. Bob Lyons, who runs the fixed-base operation at the field, told the Fairfield City Council on Sept. 28 that the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration and city police are now involved, according to local reporting.

The episode dates to Labor Day. The pilot is said to have gone through a gate a hangar tenant opened, then crossed airport property in a vehicle and left it next to a grass runway that was in use. He took the ultralight off the vehicle and flew. Later he asked for a gate key that would give him unrestricted access. Lyons turned him down.

Airport officials say the pilot was offered access during normal business hours but did not accept it. Lyons told the council he offered to let the pilot bring his truck inside the gate during those hours and to cone off space so he could fly. The pilot said he could not taxi the ultralight to the grass runway and wanted a key. Lyons said he would not allow that.

Lyons said he called the FAA three times. The matter has been passed to the agency's Kansas City Flight Standards District Office, he said. After what he described as threats from the pilot, he also contacted the TSA and city police. The airport commission is looking at changing its ordinance on airport access.

The disagreement comes as ultralight access at public airports draws wider regulatory scrutiny. The FAA is separately reviewing restrictions at Yuba County Airport in California. Airports that accept certain federal funding operate under grant assurances.