Commemorative Air Force Fights Hangar Rule

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The Commemorative Air Force is asking the FAA to extend the Sept. 5 comment deadline on a proposed policy on “aeronautical uses” permitted in hangars on federally funded airports. The CAF says its various museums and shops are all in violation of the new rules and is asking the FAA to extend the comment period so the agency can “delve deeper into the unintended consequences” of the existing document. The policy, which AVweb reported in early August, essentially says that hangar space should be used for storage of flyable aircraft and anything else should be done off the airport. The between-the-lines message from CAF appears to be that application of those rules would put it out of business and put its priceless collection of vintage aircraft at risk. Regardless of the extension request, the CAF is asking supporters to make sure they comment on the controversial policy before the current Sept. 5 deadline.

In a news release, the CAF said its hangars are full of artifacts and support materials that don’t meet the “aeronautical” definition but are essential to telling the story of the aircraft that are on display. Also, restoration and rebuilding projects are constantly going on and the food, retail and educational facilities with the museums are essential to its mission. “In all cases, the focus is on our educational mission as a flying museum and we display the static elements as supporting and necessary elements of the total story and history.” More than 900 comments have been recorded so far, many of them urging the FAA to allow active homebuilding as an aeronautical use.

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