WARSAW — Members of the Warsaw Flying Club were present again this month at the meeting of the Board of Aviation Commissioners Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Last month board president Jay Rigdon made a five-part motion, that the board approved, to establish the WFC as a club. Based on the definition of “club” provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, this included setting term limits to leadership positions. Rigdon was absent from the December meeting.

Katye Fussle, WFC vice president, after speaking with airport manager Nick King, took the time to help clarify the group’s intent. She stated that the WFC is a LLC whose name happens to be Warsaw Flying Club. The name is as such because members receive discounts after paying monthly dues, which Fussle likened to Sam’s Club.

Fussle advised she had spoken with several people and had been advised not to have a board, as would be needed for a non-profit. Fussle clarified that they do have an advisory board and that Jayson Slabach, Carla Quintero and she were designated contacts for the WFC.

Board Member John Yingling expressed that he believed Rigdon’s motion was made out of confusion for how the group was wishing to operate. “As a board, we were confused on what you guys were. Whether you were a flying club or whether you were a business,” said Yingling.

Yingling continued by saying he had no recollection of the board ever voting on letting the WFC operate as a business at the airport. This matter will be investigated by King and, should it be discovered the motion was never made, the proper vote will be made. King commented that “it is just paperwork,” implying the group is under no threat.

“The FAA has some of the most strict anti-discriminatory rules out of any organization at the federal level,” explained King regarding the importance of the airport knowing how the WFC is operating, stating that flying clubs and flying schools have different rules.

In other business:

• Last month’s minutes and claims were approved.
• Fuel sales are down for the month, as expected due to the holidays.
• DBT contract was renewed through the end of 2018; the cost increased $2,000. The airport’s instrument landing system is incredibly outdated and the cost has not increased since 2015, therefore the high cost was expected. King is looking into updating the ILS in the future.
• The lease for the Zimmer-Biomet hangar was extended. The hangar door has been experiencing various issues and a longterm solution is being looked in to.
• Hangar 126, formerly leased to the late Charlie Smith, is now being leased to Ryan C. Smith and Michelle Smith-LeDrew.
• The AIP Grant, used for the airport layout plan and last open grant, was not closed in time for the 2017 grant cycle. It was extended into 2018.