The FAA has launched a formal investigation of Santa Monica City government policies and intentions with regard to the municipal airport. The FAA again warns the City that will take any violations of the grant assurances very seriously.

According to an email from the Santa Monica Airport Association sent to ANN, the FAA has subpoenaed City Manager Rick Cole and requested a long laundry list of documents and other information aimed at ascertaining the City’s true intentions (due in D.C. by Oct 3). They are investigating to see if the City’s actions are merely a subterfuge to attempt to close the airport by attrition of vital services. They are especially interested in the City’s current leasing policies.

The City has been asked to provide proof that it is ready and able to take over operations currently carried out by Atlantic Aviation and American Flyers. They are asking for detailed information about personnel, equipment and training of City staff that would theoretically take over these services. As of two days ago the Airport Manager, Mr. Stelios, said no preparations had been made to acquire personnel or equipment or obtain the proper licenses.

The notification of investigation and the subpoenas can be viewed on the SMAA website.

The SMAA says that the City is "all in" at this point with all their chips on the table and they have just been called by the FAA. "Various clandestine factions within the city, but not necessarily actually on the city payroll have enticed the City Government of Santa Monica out on a limb with promises of development money with no risk of repercussion from the Federal Government. Well, the bluff has been called," the SMAA said in the email. "We believe that City Attorney Marsha Moutre’s decision to retire after 2+ decades is not a mere coincidence but an acknowledgement of things likely to come. The last time the FAA got involved to this degree, the result was a thirty-year agreement constraining the City’s oversight of the Santa Monica Airport.

"The City now holds some kind of unofficial record for boneheaded litigation with five active FAA Part 16 actions pending against it. That’s about a third of the total for the entire country, and it’s a sad distinction for all of that."