Arlington Fly-In Has ATC Fees Refunded

January 8, 2015 - There was good news for the popular Arlington Fly-In in Arlington, Washington, for the new year, as the FAA will be refunding the air traffic control fees it charged to the event in 2014. The FAA noted that because of the “diminumus amount of costs” the agency incurred to support the Arlington event, it was refunding the 2014 fees and not anticipating any charges for 2015.

Arlington Fly-In president Barbara Tolbert noted that Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) was instrumental in advocating the fly-in’s case for a refund to the FAA. The agency reviewed the charges and made the refund, while also stating that it would not charge for 2015 services unless that support substantially increases. The FAA promised advance notification if that service increase does occur.

The Arlington Fly-In’s organizers has asked the FAA for similar terms as in EAA’s long-term agreement with the FAA covering costs for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in signed in March 2014, which allowed half of the payments to be made prior to each year’s event and half afterward. With that option not being available to the Arlington group, Tolbert said they contacted Sen. Murray for assistance.

“We’re glad to see that for events such as Arlington, which are so important to the GA community, not only are refunds being made, but they will have FAA support without additional costs. That is a plus for all of us in aviation,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety.

Because of the massive FAA support required at Oshkosh each year, the agency will continue to charge EAA for the travel, accommodations, and overtime backfill for FAA personnel at AirVenture if that support is required. EAA’s agreement with the FAA runs through 2022.

The 2015 Arlington Fly-In will take place on July 9-11.