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Richland County council approves airport ordinance change after public outcry from pilots and tenants
Summary
After a packed public hearing in which pilots, tenants and an FBO owner warned that replacing a mandatory fixed-base operator requirement could harm safety and economics at Hamilton Owens Airport, the Richland County Council voted to amend Chapter 3 (airports) to allow Specialized Aviation Service Operators (SASO).
Chair Jessica Mackey opened the Richland County Council meeting Tuesday and, after a lengthy public hearing, the council approved an amendment to the county code that changes how ground and fueling services at Hamilton Owens Airport may be provided.
The ordinance, adopted on third reading, removes language that made a full-service fixed-base operator (FBO) mandatory and instead allows the county to use or authorize Specialized Aviation Service Operators (SASO) or multiple providers, an option County Attorney Wright said provides flexibility and “does not remove an operator from the airport.”
Why it matters: Dozens of pilots, long-time hangar tenants and airport vendors urged the council to keep the existing FBO model, arguing that a single, experienced operator provides consolidated training, equipment, insurance and safety oversight. Speakers warned the…
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