CRESWELL, Ore. — An 8-year-old dispute over skydivers using a busy Lane County airfield is nearing a settlement that includes restrictions aimed at keeping parachutists who have just landed from walking in front of planes on the runway.
It could take more than a year, though, before skydivers resume jumping to a landing zone next to Creswell’s city-owned Hobby Field, the Eugene Register-Guard reported.
The airfield is one of Oregon’s busiest general aviation airports.
In 2005, pilots complained that they’d nearly collided with skydiver planes and that skydivers who’d just landed were crossing the runway in front of aircraft on takeoff runs.
In response, the city considered tougher rules. Regulatory and legal disputes followed, including a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration that alleged discrimination against skydivers.
Skydiving companies had to move their jumps from public land next to the airport, costing them time and money. One went out of business.
“It’s a shame it took this long, but I’m glad the agreement is moving forward,” Urban Moore, owner of Eugene Skydivers, said in a statement. “If the resolution holds up, I look forward to a new working relationship with the city as we reintegrate onto the airport.”
Among the provisions of the settlement is a procedure for skydivers to walk across the 60-foot-wide runway to return to Moore’s hangar.
Moore would pay up to a $250 fine for each violation of the crossing procedure, and the city could permanently revoke crossing privileges if there are four suspensions in a two-year period.
Moore would drop his lawsuit and FAA complaint once the settlement is final.
The city would pay to get a use permit for the landing spot, which is zoned as farmland. That could take a year or more.
The City Council has approved the terms, and a final agreement could be in the hands of Mayor Dave Stram this month. He said he hopes “it is a solution to a long-running tension.”
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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com
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