Delta County officials move to continue talks on creating airfield operations manager after FAA flags recurring compliance issues

Delta County Board of Commissioners and members of the Delta County Airport Advisory Board discussed a proposed restructuring of airport management after the Federal Aviation Administration raised repeated compliance concerns.

The county administrator told commissioners the FAA provided a decade-long list of recurring compliance issues and requested a more detailed implementation plan. The administrator said she submitted a draft compliance plan and that the FAA found "the bones are good" but said the plan "doesn't go far enough," and asked the county to tighten parts of the proposal.

Why it matters: The FAA singled out Part 139 compliance (the federal standard for certificated airports) and recommended the county designate staff with specific Part 139 expertise and training. Commissioners and advisory board members framed the proposed change as a split of responsibilities so the airport manager can focus on revenue generation and grants while a new airfield operations manager assumes day‑to‑day Part 139 oversight.

Commissioners said personnel and finance committees have drafted a job…