L/L. n U5^;|JEE) STATE S DEPARTMEN T O FTRANSPORTi ^ " FEDERA LAVIATIO N ADMINISTRATIO N

WASHINGTON , D C HELIOPS , LL C

V . Complainan t

NORWOO D MEMORIA LAIRPORT ; NORWOO D AIRPOR T COMMISSIO N

Respondent s 

# E E i W ' SE P 1 6 200 9 AiRPORT/ENVIROK'.'iENTA L LAW , AGC-60 0 Docke t No . 

# /C^oH C

CERTIFICAT E O FWESLE Y VERKAAR T PURSUAN T T O 1 4 C.F.R . § 16.21(B ) I Wesle y Verkaart , a

mth e owner/operato r

o f Heliops , LLC , th e Complainan t i n thi s matter . I certif

y tha t substantial an dreasonabl e goo dfait heffort s t o resolv e th e dispute dmatte r informall y prio r

t o filing th e complain t

hav e bee n mad e an dtha t ther e appear s n o reasonabl e prospec t fo r timel y resolutio n o f

th e dispute . Thes e effort s include ddiscussion s withth e Airport Manager ; m

y attendanc e at

multipl e Airpor t

Commissio n meetings , wher e I requeste deithe r a permi t o r tha t I b e allowe dt o pay fo r

awaive r tha t woul dallo w me t o conduc t th e requeste d flight operations ; an daformal writte n reques t fo r awaiver , whic hreques t

wa s denie do n Augus t 13 , 2009 . M y effort s t o resolv e thi s matte r informally , an dwithou t

filing acomplaint , ar e se t fort hi n greate r

detai l i n th e Verifie dForma l Complain t tha t i s submitte dherewith .

A^g ^ Wesle y Verkaar/-Heliops , LL C 

# Y^/ ^UNITE D STATE S DEPARTMEN T O FTRANSPORTAHHe ) FEDERA LAVIATIO N ADMINISTRATIO N

WASHINGTON , D C HELIOPS , LL C Complainan t

NORWOO D MEMORIA LAIRPORT ; NORWOO D AIRPOR T COMMISSIO N

Respondent s 

# e E i w SE P 1 6 200 9 AIRPORT/ENVIRONMENTA L

. ^ LAW , AGC-60 0 Docke t No . 

# l\.-Ol^i O

VERIFIE D FORMA LCOMPLAINT * I . INTRODUCTIO N Th e Complainant , Heliops , LL C ("Heliops") , file s thi s complain t pursuan t t o 1 4 C.F.R . § 16 , e t seq. , challengin g th e Norwoo dAirpor t Commission' s ("th e Commission" ) decisio n t o den y Heliop s awaive r

permittin g i t

t o us e Norwoo dMemoria l Airport ("Norwoo dMemorial" ) withou t establishin g aphysica l bas e o f operation s o n th e premises . Th e Commission' s decisio n wa s imprope r

(1 ) becaus e i t

violate s Gran t

Assuranc e 22 , whic hrequire s airport s t o mak e themselve s availabl e t o al l type s o f aeronautica l activitie s absen t certai n limite dexceptions , whic har e inapplicabl e here ; an d(2 ) becEius e Norwoo dMemorial' s Minimu mStandards , a s applie db y th e Commission , favo r loca l operator s ove r

thos e wh o maintai n base s o f operation s elsewhere , includin g thos e locate di n othe r states , an dthu s contravene s dorman t Commerc e Claus e principles . A certificat e o f

complianc e pursuan t

t o 1 4 C.F.R . § 16.21(b ) i s file dherewith . 

# I

' Th e Verificatio n pertain s t o th e factual allegation s se t fort hi n Sectio n II , infra .11 . FACTUA LAN D PROCEDURA LBACKGROUN D

Th e fact s recite di n thi s section , entitle d"Factua l an dProcedura l Background, " ar e verifie dthroug hth e appende dverificatio n statemen t o f Wesle y Verkaart , th e owner/operato r o f Heliops , LLC . Heliops , LL C i s base dou t o f PlymouthMunicipa l Airport i n Plymouth , MA . Heliop s provide s charte r

service s a s asingl e pilo t operatio n unde r

CF RTitl e 14 , Par t

13 5 ("Part

135" ) an dals o conduct s tours , aeria l photography , an daeria l survey s unde r CF RTitl e 14 , Par t

9 1 ("Part 91") . Heliop s ha s authorizatio n fro mbot hth e Departmen t o f Transportatio n an dth e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n t o fl y commercia l operation s i n al l o f th e forty-eigh t

contiguou s states . Heliop s conduct s commercia l fligh t operation s throughou t

Ne w Englan dan dha s conducte dcommercia l operation s i n Massachusetts , Rhod e Island , Connecticut , Ne w Hampshire , Vermont , Maine , Ne w York , Ne w Jersey , an dPennsylvania . Heliop s ha s conducte dPar t 9 1 flight operation s fro mNorwoo dMemoria l for th e pas t five years . O n Apri l 1 , 2009 , Heliop s wa s informe db y th e Norwoo dAirpor t Manage r tha t i t woul d b e require dt o compl y wit hNorwoo dMemorial' s Minimu mStandard s (th e "Minimu m Standards" ) t o b e abl e t o continu e conductin g commercia l Part 9 1 operation s at

Norwood . Thes e standard s woul drequir e Heliop s t o have :

* A wel l li t

an dheate doffic e o f

at leas t 20 0 squar e feet , lease do r owned , withi n walkin g distanc e o f th e compan y aircraft , o n o r adjacen t t o th e airport , o r

o n [the ] Acces s Roa dbetwee n th e northan dsouthairport

boundar y ends . * Suitabl e commercia l tie-dow n o r hange r spac e fo r al l compan y aircraft . '

^

A cop y o f

th e Minimu mStandar di s attache dheret o a s Exhibi t A .O n informatio n an dbelief , Norwoo dMemoria l doe s no t impos e thes e requirement s upo n Part 13 5 operation s o r

non-commercia l Part

9 1 operations . Heliop s an d(o n informatio n an d belief ) other s ar e permitte dt o conduc t suc hoperations , eve n thoug hthe y d o not hav e offic e spac e withi n walkin g distanc e o f th e airport

o r commercia l tie-dow n o r hange r space . Th e owner/operato r

o f Heliops , Wesle y Verkaart , informe dNorwoo dMemoria l tha t Heliop s woul db e unabl e t o establis habas e o f operation s ther e becaus e th e relativel y limite d numbe r o f flight operation s Heliop s conduct s ou t o f Norwoo dMemoria l (abou t twent y (20 ) i n 200 8 (hal f

o f whic hwer e Part

91) ) woul dmak e establishin g aphysica l presenc e prohibitivel y expensive . A t ameetin g o f

th e Norwoo dAirport

Commissio n (th e "Commission" ) o n May 15'* ^ 2009 , Heliop s requeste dpermissio n t o conduc t commercia l Part

9 1 operation s fi-omNorwood . Heliop s informe dth e Commissio n tha t it woul db e willin g t o purchas e a"throug hth e fenc e permit, " i f

tha t woul dresolv e th e issue . Th e Airpor t Manage r recommende dagains t

issuin g suc h apermit , statin g "w e alread y hav e helicopter s an dairplane s at th e airport

tha t can d o sightseein g an daeria l photography/video. " Som e Commissio n member s state dtha t "a t leas t w e ar e bein g consistent, " areferenc e t o th e fac t tha t sightseein g an daeria l tou r operator s base dout

o f Norwoo dMemoria l ar e require dt o mee t th e offic e spac e an dhange r requirement s se t

fort hi n th e Minimu mStandards . Th e Commissio n table dth e matte r s o mor e informatio n coul db e gathere d an dth e issu e coul db e addresse di n th e nex t meeting . Anothe r meetin g wa s hel do n Jun e 10 , 2009 . A t thi s meeting , th e Airpor t Manager reiterate dtha t

Heliop s doe s not

mee t th e Minimu mStandard s for Part 9 1 Commercia l Operation s at th e airport . Heliop s advise dth e Commissio n tha t i t woul dmak e n o economi c sens e for Heliop s t o establis habas e at Norwoo dMemoria l an dargue dtha t i t wa s no t sensibl e t o appl y th estandard s establishe dfo r commercia l operator s base dout o f Norwoo dt o commercia l operators , suc ha s Heliops , tha t

ar e base delsewhere . Heliop s further argue dthat

refiisin g t o gran t

Heliop s a permi t woul dviolat e FA A regulation s an dwoul db e inconsisten t withth e Commerc e Clause . Th e Commissio n advise dtha t i t woul dnee dt o presen t

th e issu e t o tow n counsel . A t asubsequen t

Commissio n meetin g o n Jul y 8 , 2009 , th e Commissio n reporte dtha t Heliops ' reques t

ha dbee n submitte dt o aNorwoo dTow n meetin g fo r consideration , resultin g i n arecommendatio n tha t

Heliop s appl y for

apermi t (a n apparen t

communication s glitc hbecaus e Heliop s ha dalread y applie dfor apermit) . Th e Commissio n state dtha t i t wishe dt o b e "consistent, " an dthu s vote dagains t issuin g apermi t

allowin g Heliop s t o conduc t commercia l Part 9 1 operation s at

th e airport . Thi s vot e was followe db y aJul y 15 , 200 9 lette r fromth e Commissio n i n whic hi t formall y rejecte dHeliops ' reques t for awaiver . (Attache da s Exhibi t B ) It fiarthe r state d"I f Heli-Op s [sic ] canno t

mee t th e minimu mstandards , an dstil l wishe s t o appl y for acommercia l permit , th e compan y mus t stat e clearl y i n writin g wha t waiver(s ) i t

i s seekin g fro mth e [Commission]. " (Exhibi t B) . I n response , Heliop s sen t th e Commissio n aformal reques t for awritte n waive r

tha t woul dpermi t

i t t o conduc t

commercia l Part

9 1 operation s ou t

o f Norwoo dMemorial , eve n i n th e absenc e o f

abas e o f operation s at

th e airport . (Attache da s Exhibi t C) . It als o requeste dtha t

th e Commissio n issu e awritte n decisio n approvin g o r denyin g thi s reques t

an dsupplyin g it s reasons . (Exhibi t C) . I n th e letter , Heliop s explaine dtha t i t anticipate dconductin g approximatel y twent y (20 ) Part 9 1 commercia l flights ou t o f Norwoo dMemoria l pe r

year , tha t

i t ha s liste dth e Tow n o f Norwood , th e Norwoo dAirport Commission , an dNorwoo dAirport Managemen t

a s insured s o n it s aircraf t liabilit y policy , tha t

i t woul dcompl y wit hal l applicabl e federal an dstat e laws , an dtha t

i t woul dcompl y withth e safet y guideline s applicabl e t o rotorcraft s usin g federall y fimded airports . (Exhibi t

C) . I t als o state dtha t

for commercia l Part

91 , operation s Heliop s personne l woul dmee t

passenger s at

a n FB O an descort

the mt o th e aircraft . (Exhibi t C) . Fo r loadin g an d unloadin g passengers , th e helicopte r woul db e parke deithe r

at th e designate dhelicopte r parkin g circle s or , withprio r

landin g permission , th e designate dairport helipa do r

FB O ram p area . (Exhibi t C) . O n Augus t

13 , 2009 , th e Commissio n sen t Heliop s alette r

denyin g it s reques t

for a waiver . (Attache da s Exhibi t D) . Specifically , th e Commissio n stated : After som e consideration , th e NA C vote dt o den y you r request . It s decisio n wa s basedprimaril y o n th e board' s effort s t o appl y it s standard s fairl y an duniformly . A s context : Th e Norwoo dAirpor t i s presentl y hom e bas e t o severa l commercia l permitte dsightseein g tou r operators , al l o f

whic hmee t

th e minimu mstandards , th e sam e standard s w e hav e require do f Heli-Op s [sic] , i.e. , t o hav e aphysica l presenc e o n th e Norwoo dAirport . III . ARGUMEN T 1 . Th e Refusal t o Gran t Heliop s aWaive r

o r aPermi t Violate s Gran t

Assuranc e 2 2 Th e Airpor t

an dAirwa y Improvemen t Act , 4 9 U.S.C . § 47107 , e t seq . set s fort

h requirement s t o whic ha n airport mus t agre e i n orde r

t o receiv e federal financial assistance . Thes e requirement s ar e embodie di n anumbe r o f Gran t Assurance s t o whic hairpor t sponsor s agre e a s apreconditio n for th e receip t

o f federa l funds . Amon g thes e assurance s i s Gran t Assuranc e 22 , unde r

whic han airport

ovme r "i s require dt o operat e th e airport fo r th e us e an d benefi t o f th e publi c an dt o mak e i t availabl e t o al l types , kinds , an dclasse s o f aeronautica l activity o n reasonabl e terms , an dwithou t unjus t discrimination. " R/T-182 . LL C v . Portag e Count y Regiona l Airpor t Authority , 16-05-1 4 (2007) . Specifically , Gran t Assuranc e 2 2 provide s i n pertinen t

part tha t th e airport

shal l Mak e it s airport

availabl e a s a n airpor t

fo r publi c us e o n reasonabl e terms , an d withou t unjus t discrimination , t o all types , kinds , an dclasse s o f aeronautica lactivities , includin g commercia l aeronautica l activitie s offerin g service s t o th e

publi c at th e airport . (Assuranc e 22(a)) . A s th e foregoin g mak e clear . Gran t Assuranc e 2 2 require s th e airpor t t o mak e itsel f availabl e t o al l categorie s o f aeronautica l activity . Thi s directive , however , ma y b e balance db y a n airpor t sponsor' s nee dt o "establis hsuc hreasonable , an dno t unjustl y discriminatory , condition s t o b e me t

b y al l user s o f

th e airport

a s may b e necessar y for

th e saf e operatio n o f

th e airport. " (Assuranc e 22(h)) . I n addition , th e sponso r may "prohibi t

o r limi t an y give n type , kind , o r clas s o f aeronautica l us e o f

th e airport

i f suc hactio n i s necessar y for th e saf e operatio n o f th e airport

o r necessar y t o serv e th e civi l aviatio n need s o f th e public. " (Assuranc e 22(i)) . Th e denia l o f

Heliops ' reques t

for permissio n (eithe r

throug hapermi t

o r awaiver ) t o us e Norwoo dMemoria l withou t aphysica l presenc e o n th e airport violate s th e economi c nondiscriminatio n provision s o f Assuranc e 22 . A small , singl e aircraf t operatio n tha t

i s base d off-site an duse s Norwoo dMemoria l onl y episodicall y (sucha s Heliops ) canno t affor do r justif y th e expens e involve di n maintainin g aphysica l presenc e at Norwoo dMemorial . Requirin g Heliop s —o r

an y othe r

comparabl e aeronautica l operatio n —t o adher e t o th e Norwoo d Memoria l Minimu mStandard s thu s ha s th e practica l effec t o f barrin g acategory o f

aeronautica l us e (Part 9 1 tour s b y off-sit e basedoperators ) at Norwoo dMemorial . Moreover , i f othe r airport s adopte dNorwoo dMemorial' s Minimu mStandard s an drefuse dt o gran t appropriat e waivers , a n entir e category o f

"commercia l aeronautica l activitie s offerin g service s t o th e public, " woul db e force dou t

o f business , resultin g i n har mnot onl y t o th e businesse s themselves , bu t als o t o consumer s wh o avai l themselve s thes e businesses ' services . Becaus e th e applicatio n o f th e Norwoo dMinimu mStandard s an dth e refusal t o gran t a waive r essentiall y bar s lawfu l an dusefu l commercia l activitie s fromNorwoo dMemorial , th e Commissio n mus t

demonstrat e tha t

it s decisio n i s basedupo n eithe r th e nee dt o preserv e "saf eoperatio n o f th e airport " o r

tha t denyin g Heliop s awaive r o r permi t wa s "necessar y t o serv e th e civi l aviatio n need s o f

th e public. " A physica l presenc e i s no t necessiar y for th e "saf e operatio n o f

th e airport. " Heliop s ha s th e permissio n o f

bot hth e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n an dth e Departmen t o f Transportatio n t o conduc t Par t 9 1 commercia l operation s an dwil l comply , a s i t alway s has , with every applicabl e safet

y guideline . I t

canno t b e seriousl y asserte dtha t it s commercia l Par t

9 1 flights pos e greate r

safety risk s tha n it s commercia l Par t 13 5 operation s o r

non-commercia l Part 9 1 operations . Nor , i n an y case , i s i t clear ho w requirin g abas e o f

operation s at

th e airport woul dsomeho w mak e th e commercia l Part 9 1 operation s an y safer , particularl y i n ligh t o f th e fac t tha t ther e i s n o suc hrequiremen t fo r th e othe r type s o f operations . Likewise , ther e i s n o reaso n t o believ e that physica l presenc e at

th e airport

i s someho w "necessar y t o serv e th e civi l aviatio n need s o f th e public. " Again , i t

bear s mentio n tha t

ther e i s n o physica l presenc e requiremen t for Par t 13 5 operation s o r

for non-commercia l Part

9 1 operations . Indeed , becaus e ther e i s n o logica l reaso n fo r imposin g greate r

burden s o n commercia l flight operation s unde r

Par t 9 1 tha n o n non-commercia l Part 9 1 operation s an dcommercia l operation s unde r

Part 135 , thi s disparat e treatmen t violate s Gran t

Assuranc e 22' s prohibitio n agains t "unjus t discrimination. " (Gran t Assuranc e 22(a)) . I n addition , Norwoo dMemorial' s approac hspecificall y burden s commercia l Par t 9 1 operation s a s compare dt o non-commercia l Part 9 1 operations , adisparit y tha t clearl y contravene s FA A polic y promotin g ope n commercia l acces s t o airport s tha t

permi t thes e facilitie s t o achiev e thei r highes t an dbes t use . C f FA A Advisory Circular

150/5190-7 , 1. 2 (b ) (notin g tha t airport sponsor s shoul d"carefiill y scrutiniz e th e safet y reason s fo r

denyin g a n aeronautica l servic e provide r th e opportunit y t o engag e i n anaeronautica l activit y i f th e denia l ha s th e possibl e effec t o f limitin g competition ) (emphasi s supplied) . Moreover , t o th e exten t th e Commission' s action s evidentl y favo r loca l operator s tha t ar e base don-site , it s polic y action s constitut e ad e fact o gran t o f exclusiv e rights i n violatio n o f Gran t Assuranc e No . 23 . 2 . Th e Commission' s Reason s for Denyin g Heliop s aPermi t o r Waive r Ar e Untenabl e Th e Commissio n base s it s denia l "primaril y o n th e board' s effort s t o appl y it s standard s fairl y an duniformly. " (Exhibi t D) . Apparently , th e Commissio n believe s tha t consistenc y require s Heliop s t o establis haphysica l bas e o f operation s at

Norwoo dMemoria l becaus e othe r sightseein g tou r

operation s hav e an on-sit e presence . Thi s reaso n for denyin g Heliop s apermi t o r waive r i s untenable . Consistenc y doe s not

requir e Heliop s t o mee t

th e sam e requirement s a s th e sightseein g tou r operation s tha t

operat e out

o f Norwoo dMemorial . Th e fac t tha t th e Heliop s an dth e Norwoo dMemorial-base doperator s bot hconduc t sightseein g tour s i s no t

asimilarit y tha t warrants , le t

alon e mandates , identica l treatment . In BM I Salvag e Corp . v . Federa l Aviatio n Administration , 27 2 Fed . Appx . 842 , 200 8 W L92790 0 (11 * Cir . 2008) , th e Elevent hCircui t addresse dan airport' s decision s regardin g long-ter mdevelopmen t lease s an dnote dtha t

althoug h th e responden t

airpor t ha didentifie ddifference s amon g th e tw o operator s at issu e (on e o f

who m wa s treate dmor e advantageously) , i t ha dnot explaine dwh y thes e difference s warrante dtreatin g th e complainin g operato r differentl y fro manothe r operator . 27 2 Fed . Appx . at 849 . I n othe r words , i t i s no t enoug ht o identif

y similaritie s an ddifference s amon g flight operations . T o justif y aregulator y actio n b y an airport , thes e similaritie s an ddifference s mus t b e german e an d logicall y relate dt o th e airport regulatio n at

issue . Se e R/T 182 , LL C v . Federa l Aviatio n Administration , 51 9 F.3 d307 , 30 9 (6** ^ Cir . 2008 ) ( A determinatio n whethe r group s ar e similarl ysituate d"focuse s [ ] attentio n o n thos e distinction s betwee n group s o r individual s tha t

ar e legitimat e base s for

discrimination , an dthos e tha t ar e not") . Here , ther e i s n o reason , relate dt o eithe r airport administratio n o r

safety , for

requirin g Heliop s t o compl y wit hrequirement s tha t mak e n o sens e i n th e contex t o f operator s base doff-site . No r woul dth e othe r

operator s hav e caus e t o complai n o f disparat e treatmen t

i f Heliop s wer e permitte dt o pa y for a"though-the-fence " permi t tha t allowe di t

t o operat e ou t

o f Norwoo d periodically. ^ After

all , thos e tha t

mak e full an dregular

us e o f th e airport

may b e reasonabl y require dt o undertak e greate r expens e fo r

thi s comparativel y greate r us e tha n migh t

mor e episodi c users , suc ha s Heliops . Tha t basedoperator s ma y b e treate ddifferentl y fro m"transien t operators " wa s underscore di n R/T-182 , LL C v . Portag e County Regiona l Airport Authority , FA A Docke t

No . 16-05-1 4 (2007 ) ("RyT-182") , aff'db y R/T 182 , LL C v . Federa l Aviatio n Administration . 51 9 F.3 d30 7 (6*' ' Cir . 2008) . I n R/T-182 . th e Associat e Administrato r for Airport s issue dafinal agenc y determinatio n tha t uphel da n airport' s decisio n t o charg e use r fee s t o operator s o f

aircraf t basedou t

o f th e airport , bu t

not transien t operator s wh o migh t

us e th e airport . Th e Associat e Administrato r rejecte dth e complainant' s argumen t tha t chargin g use r fee s t o basedoperators , bu t not transien t operator s was unjus t

economi c discriminatio n becaus e th e tw o group s wer e not

similarl y situate dfor

purpose s o f

revenu e collectio n an di t woul db e grossl y cost-ineffectiv e for th e airport

t o attemp t

t o collec t

fee s fromtransien t

operators .

^ I t bear s mentio n tha t

FA A Advisory Circular

No . 150/5190- 7 outline s tw o categorie s o f "through-the-fence " operations : "independen t operator s offerin g a

n aeronautica l activity " an d "owner s o f

aircraf t base do n lan dadjacen t

to , bu t not part o f airport property " A C 150/5190-7 , 1.4 . Althoug hth e circular expressl y state s tha t

ther e i s n o obligatio n t o gran t through-the-fenc e acces s t o th e secon dcategory o f operator s (thos e wit haircraf t adjacen t t o th e airport) , ther e i s n o suc hstatemen t

withregar dt o th e first

categor y o f

operators . Th e negativ e implication , o f course , i s tha t

airport s mus t

permi t th e first categor y o f

through-the-fenc e operations , provide d safety an dadministratio n concern s ar e adequatel y addressed .Accordingly , a s R/T-18 2 make s clear , i t woul db e perfectl y permissibl e for Norwoo dMemoria l t o mak e reasonabl e distinction s betwee n "transien t operators " suc ha s Heliop s an dbased operator s wh o als o conduc t sightseein g tour s at

th e airport . 3 . Norwoo dMemorial' s Policie s Violat e th e Commerc e Claus e Becaus e The y Undul y Burde n Interstat e Commerc e Norwoo dMemorial' s policie s favo r locally-base doperator s an dthu s burde n interstat e commerce . Becaus e thi s burde n i s no t outweighe db y som e legitimat e countervailin g benefit , Norwoo dMemorial' s regulations , a s applie dt o Heliops , violat e dorman t Commerc e Claus e principles . Th e Commerc e Claus e authorize s Congres s "[t] o regulat e Commerc e .. . amon g th e severa l States, " Art . I , § 8 , cl . 3 . B y negativ e implication , th e Suprem e Cour t ha s interprete dth e Commerc e Claus e t o prohibi t th e state s fro mregulatin g interstat e commerce . Departmen t o f RevenueofKy . v . Davis , 12 8 S.Ct . 1801 , 180 8 -0 9 (2008) . "Th e mode mla w o f wha t ha s com e t o b e calle dth e dorman t

Commerc e Claus e i s drive n b y concer n abou t 'economi c protectionism

tha t is , regulator y measure s designe dt o benefi t in-stat e economi c interest s b y burdenin g out-of

stat e competitors.' " I d(quotin g Ne w Energ y Co . o f Ind . v . Limbach , 48 6 U.S . 269 , 273

- 74(1988)) . Unde r

dorman t Commerc e Claus e principles , adiscriminator y la w i s "virtually/7e r s e invalid, " Orego n Wast e Systems , Inc . v . Departmen t o f Environmenta l Qualit y o f Ore. , 51 1 U.S . 93 , 9 9 (1994) , an dwil l surviv e onl y i f i t "advance s alegitimat e loca l purpos e tha t caimo t b e adequatel y serve db y reasonabl e nondiscriminator y alternatives. " I dat 10 1 (interna l quotatio n mark s omitted) . I n th e absenc e o f discriminatio n for

aforbidde n purpose , however , ala w burdenin g interstat e commerc e "wil l b e uphel dunles s th e burde n impose do n [interstate ]

1 0commerc e i s clearl y excessiv e i n relatio n t o th e putativ e loca l benefits. " Pik e v . Bruc e Church .

Inc. , 39 7 U.S . 137 , 142(1970). ^ Here , th e airport' s policie s clearl y benefi t loca l operator s for

who mmaintainin g a physica l presenc e a

t th e airport

make s economi c sense . Operator s base delsewhere , includin g operator s tha t

ar e basedout

o f state , canno t

conduc t commercia l par t

9 1 operation s ou t

o f Norwoo dMemoria l unles s the y establis haphysica l presence . Thi s i s not likel y t o b e economicall y feasibl e for ou t o f stat e operators , whic hmean s tha t the y canno t

realistically conduc t commercia l Part

9 1 operation s out

o f Norwoo dMemorial , wherea s local businesse s may . Thi s i s aburde n o n ou t o f stat e businesses , an dthu s o n interstat e commerce . A s explaine d above , ther e doe s no t

appear t o b e an y plausibl e rational e for requirin g off-sit e operator s t o maintai n a n offic e an dhange r spac e (o r appropriat e tie-downs) . Accordingly , becaus e th e burde n impose do n interstat e commerc e i s no t outweighe db y putativ e loca l benefit s (ther e ar e none) , requirin g operator s suc ha s Heliop s t o maintai n a n on-sit e presenc e for Part 9 1 commercia l operation s violate s dorman t Commerc e Claus e principles . Fo r thi s reason , th e Commission' s denia l i s unconstitutiona l an dHeliop s shoul db e accorde dan opportunit y t o purchas e a n appropriat e waive r o r permi t t o conduc t

commercia l Part

9 1 operation s out

o f Norwoo dMemorial .

A somewha t

similar approac hi n th e contex t

o f airpor t regulation s wa s se t

fort hi n Sant a Monic aAirpor t

Assoc , v . City o f

Sant aMonica . 8 1 F . Supp . 927 , 93 7 (1979) , aff'db y 65 9 F.2 d 100 , 10 5 (9thCir . 1981) , whic hse t fort hathre e par t

inquiry , t o determin e 1 ) whethe r ther e was a n effec t o n interstat e commerce ; 2 ) whethe r th e legislativ e bod y acte dwithi n it s provinc e an d use dmean s tha t

wer e reasonabl y adapte dt o th e end s sought ; an d3 ) whethe r th e burde n impose d b y th e challenge dregulatio n i s "clearl y excessiv e i n relatio n t o th e putativ e loca l benefits. "

1 1IV . CONCLUSIO N

Fo r th e foregoin g reasons , th e Complainant , Heliops , LLC , respectfull y ask s tha t th e Commission' s orde r

denyin g Heliop s apermi t o r waive r b e reverse dan dtha t

Heliop s b e permitte dt o undertak e Part 9 1 commercia l flight

operation s ou t

o f Norwoo dMemorial , notwithstandin g th e fac t

tha t Heliop s doe s no t

maintai n aphysica l presenc e at th e airport . Respectfull y Submitted , HELIOPS , LLC , B y it s attorneys .

Kevi n C . Cam(BB O #550055 ) Timoth y M . Pomarol e (BB O #660827 ) Peabod y & Arnol dLL P Federa l Reserv e Plaz a 60 0 Atlanti c Avenu e Boston , M A 0211 0 (617)951-210 0 kcain@peabodyamold.co m tpomarole@peabodyamold.co m

Septembe r

X. , 200 9

1 2VERIFICATIO N O FWESLE Y VERKAAR T

I , Wesle y Verkaart , stat e tha t I hav e persona l knowledg e o f th e fact s state din Sectio n II . o f thi s Verifie dForma l Complaint , andverif y tha t th e fact s state dherei n ar e tme , excep t wher e state do n informatio n an dbelief , i n whic hcas e I believ e th e sam e t o b e tm e t o th e bes t o f m y knowledge , informatio n an dbelie f Signe dunde r

th e pain s an dpenaltie s o f perjury . 

# ^Vf ^ Wesle y Verkaar t Septembe r

^ , 200 9

1 3CERTIFICAT E O FSERVIC E

I , Timoth y M . Pomarole , certif y tha t o n Septembe r

\, 2009, 1 serve dacop y o f th e foregoin g documen t vi afirst clas s mai l to : Mr . Rus s Maguire , Airpor t Manage r Norwoo dMemoria l Regiona l Airpor t 12 5 Acces s Roa d Norwood , MA 0206 2 Mr . Mark Ryan , Chai r

o f th e Norwoo dMemoria l Airpor t Commissio n c/o Norwoo dMemoria l Airpor t 12 5 Acces s Roa d Norwood , M A 0206 2

Tirnoth y M . Pomarol e 708420_ 1 9999-999 9 

# Q ^

1 406/03/200 9 11:1 7 FA I 50 8 73 2 040 0 Sen t By : Norwoo d Airport ; HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-26-0 9 15:21 ; il00 3 Pag e 2



# NORWOO D MEMORIA L AIRPOR T Minimu m Standard s

I n accordanc e wit

hFA A Advisor y Circula r 150/5190- 706/03/200 9 11:1 7 FA I 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S 12100 4 Sen t By : Norwoo d Airport ; 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-26-0 9 15:21 ; Pag e 3



# Norwoo dAirpor t

Minimu mStandard s Genera l Polic y Th e Norwoo dAirpor t

Commissio n (NAC ) recognize s it s responsibilit y t o th e airport' s user s a s wel l a s t o th e genera l public , t o conduc t an dt o operat e th e airpor t wit hprudenc e an dsoun djudgment , fo r

th e socia l an deconomi c wel l bein g o f th e Tow n o f

Norwood . Fo r th e airport' s commerciall y pennitte dbusines s community , ou r minimu mstandard s ar e intende dt o promot e feir competitio n b y "levelin g th e playin g field. " Fo r th e genera l public , th e enforcemen t o f minimu mstandard s als o discourage s sub-standar dand/o r unsaf e would-b e servic e providers

—thereb y protectin g th e interest s o f ou r airpor t patrons . Th e NA C may , a s needed , solici t fo r acommercia l operato r

i n th e even t

tha i additiona l operator s ar e needed . Th e NA C require s commercia l operator s t o compl y wit hal l appropriat e local , stat e an d federal law s an dregulation s regardin g ^ e commercia l operatio n i n question . Th e NA C require s tha t eac hcommercia l operato r maintai n withth e Commissio n a permanen t

fil e o f plan s an das-built s regardin g th e respectiv e operation . Th e Commissio n may , upo n writte n application , gran t a n exemption(s ) t o th e applicatio n o f th e standards , whe n an examinatio n o f th e circumstance s supportin g th e reques t for a n exemptio n indicat e tha t th e publi c interes t

wil l b e bes t

serve db y grantin g suc han exauption . 

### Definition s Minimu mstandards : Th e qualification s establishe db y th e NA C a s th e minimu m requirement s t o b e me t

fo r th e right t o conduc t

acommercia l activit y o n th e Norwoo d Airport . Commercia l activity : Th e followin g activitie s commonl y conducte do n airport s ar c deeme d'commercial * withi n thi s dettnilion : charte r operations , fligh t

uraining , aircraf

t renta l an dleasing , sighfcjeeing , aeria l photography , aeria l advertisin g an dsurvey , ai r carrie r operations , aircraf

t sales , aircraf

t servicing , aircraflt

fueling ; an dan y othe r

activit y deeme db y th e NA C which , becaus e o f it s direc t rclaUonslii p t o th e operatio n o f aircraf t can appropriatel y b e regarde da s acommercia l activity .06/03/200 9 11:1 8 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 Sen t By : Norwoo d Airport ; HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-2e-0 9 15:21 ; {g|00 5 Pag e 4

Commercia l operator : An y company/perso n tha t offer s an y commercia l activit y servic e fo r

compensation . o r Fized-baB B operator ; Onl y thos e commercia l operator s tha t oflFe r th e ful l spectru mo f conmiercla l activitie s including , bu t no t limite dto : transien t

aircraf t parking , passenge r waitin g area , lin e service , fuel» ai r charter , flight.training , aircraf t servicing , an dothe r service s normall y a.<Msociate dwit hafull-service , fixed-bas e operator , a s determine db y th e NAC . Spac e requirements : Al l squar e footag e requirement s fo r th e variou s categorie s o f commercia l operations . Hi e requirement s ar e i n cumulativ e figures . Th e spac e require d mus t b e owned , leased , o r

sub-lease dt o th e commercia l operator , exclusively , an dnot share dwit hanothe r

commercia l operato r

and/o r othe r companies . Th e entranc e t o th e spac e mus t

hav e permanen t

signag e notin g th e compan y nain e an dhour s o f operation . Genera l Requirement s Compan y organization . Th e followin g documentatio n i s requiredb y NAC , an dwil l remai n o n file : acertificat e o f incorporation , o r

ad.b.a . certificate , o r othe r verificatio n o f Massachusetts . th e company' s organizatio n an dta x statu s i n th e stat e o f Office/hanga r

space . Th e followin g documentatio n i s require db y NAC , an dwil l remai n o n file : acop y o f th e applicant' s leas e o r certificat e o f

title , fo r lease do r owne dspac e locate do n th e airport , o r adjacen t t o th e Airport' s north/sout hpropert y line , alon g Acces s Road ; als o required , i f necessary , i s acop y o f

th e floo r plan . Insurance . Th e followin g insuranc e polic y documentatio n i s require db y NAC , an d wil l remai n o n file : 1 ) a n insuranc e certificat e i n th e ^noun t require d(a s staled , below ) o r

greater , listin g a s additionall y insured : th e Tow n o f Norwood , th e Norwoo dAirpor t

Commission , an dth e Norwoo dAirpor t management ; 2 ) insuranc e fo r al l leased/owne daircraft ; an d3 ) aworkmen' s compensatio n polic y coverin g al l employees . Initia l Applicatio n —Additiona l Requirement s Curren t financia l statemen t Proo f o f minimu mo f

thre e month' s operatin g expense s Two-yea r busines s pla n fo r

th e propose doperatio n Previou s histor y o f

paymen t Thre e credi t

reference s Ta x identificatio n numbe r Ta x re-sal e numbe r Copie s o f an y an dall pertinen t

certificate s (e.g. , FA RPar t 13 5 certificate ) an d licenses , relativ e t o th e propose doperatio n06/03/200 9 11:1 8 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S IgOO e Sen t By : Norwoo d Airport ; 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-2e-0 9 15:22 ; Pag e 5

Commercia l Activities/Mininfiu mStandard s I . Fligh t

Operations , Par t

13 5 Charte r A n operato r

engage di n charterin g flight operation s wil l b e require dt o provid e th e following : 1 . A wel l li t

an dheate doffic e an dreceptio n roo mare ao f at \eas, i 20 0 squar e feet , leased , rente do r

owned . Thi s are ai s t o b e locate dwithi n walkin g distanc e o f

th e company' s aircraft , on , o r adjacen t t o th e Airport , or , o n Acces s Roa dbetwee n th e nort han dsout hairpor t boundaries . 2 . A telephon e liste dunde r th e compan y nam e an dattende ddurin g norma l busines s hours . 3 . Premis e liabilit y insuranc e o f $1,000,00 0 combine dsingl e limit , bodil y ixuur y an dpropert y dainagc ; an dcommercia l aircraf t liabilit y insuranc e o f S 1)000,00 0 combine dsingle-limit , bodil y injury an dpropert y damage , wit hS100,00 0 minimu mpe r passenger ; als o namin g a s additionall y instire dth e Tow n o f

Norwood , th e Norwoo dAirpor t Commission , an dth e Norwoo dAirpor t

management . 4 . A n ongoing , demonstrate dability t o mee t th e certificatio n requirement s o f th e FAA , stat e an dlocal authorities . 5 . No t

les s tha n on e license dairworth y aircraf t fo r Par t 13 5 charte r operations . 6 . Full-tim e personne l durin g norma l busines s hours , seve n day s aweek , 7 . Suitabl e tie-dow n o r hanga r spac e to r al l compan y aircraft . 8 . A forma l an ddocumente dprogra mtha t educate s al l compan y pilot s regardin g th e Airport' s nois e abatemen t an dsafety procedures .

II . Commute r

Ai r Carrier/Schedule dAi r Tax i Servic e Commute r

ai r carriers/schedule dai r

tax i servic e operator s usin g th e Airpor t wil l b e expecte dt o mee t

eigh t requirement s (above) , plu s th e folluwing : 1 . Mus t

sho w all evidence , a s ma y b e necessary , t o suppor t th e nee dfor

suc h service , t o includ e amarketin g study , th e btisines s commimit y support , a pla n o f propose doperations , schedulin g an dpastjenge r forecasts , a n06/03/200 9 11:1 8 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE

S E l 00 7 aen i By : Norwoo dAirport ; 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-2e-0 9 15:22 ; Pag e 6/ 9

environmenta l impac t

assessmen t

for th e propose dschedule , an dth e approva l o f

destinatio n airports . 2 . Mus t

sho w th e availabilit y o f

facilitie s t o accommodat e publi c user s i n th e number s forecast . Sai dfacilitie s shoul dinclud e automobil e parking , vraitin g areas , baggag e handling , ticketing , enplanin g an ddeplanin g procedures . 3 . Mus t

sho w flight

scheduluig , whic hwil l b e subjec t t o th e NAC' s approval , 4 . Mus t

sho w monthl y report s o r dail y manifes t

copie s tha t

sho w th e numbe r o f enplanin g an ddeplaiun g passenger s a t th e Airport . III . Fligh t

Instruction , Aircraft

Rental , Sak s an dSightseein g Flight s Fligh t operation s wil l includ e aircraf t tha t ar c rented , Iea.'>ed

, lease dback , o r

owned . Th e commercia l operato r

wil l provid e th e following : 1 . A wel l li t

an dheate doffic e an dclassroo mo f at lea.<!t 20 0 squar e feet , lease do r

owned , wit htrainin g equipmen t suc ha s mock-up s an d instrumen t

trainin g aids . Thi s are ai s t o b e locate dwithi n walkin g distanc e o f

th e compan y aircraft , on , o r adjacen t t o th e aitport , o r

o n Acces s Roa dbetwee n th e nort han dsout hairpor t boundary ends . 2 . Suitabl e commercia l tie-dow n o r hanga r spac e fo r al l compan y aircraft . 3 . Fo r

flight instruction , aminimu mo f tw o aircraft . 4 . A telephon e liste dunde r th e compan y nam e an dattende ddurin g norma l busines s hours . 5 . A n ongoing , demonstrate dability t o mee t th e certificaUo n requirement s o f FAA , stat e an dloca l authorities . 6 . Premis e liabilit y insuranc e o f $1,000,00 0 combine dsingl e limit , bodil y iiyur y an dpropert y damage ; an dcommercia l aircraf t liabilit y insuraxu » o f S1,000,00 0 combine dsingl e limi t bodil y injur

y an dpropert y damag e fo r all aircraf t owned , leased , lease dbac k o r rented , wdt

h$100,00 0 minimu m pe r passenger , als o namin g th e Tow n o f Norwood , Norwoo dAirpor t Commission , an dth e Norwoo dAirpor t Managemen t

a s additionall y insured . 7 . Fo r

flight instruction , aformal an ddocumente dprogra mtlia i wil l educat e al l student s an dinstructo r pilot s regardin g th e Airport' s nois e abaiemen t an dsafet y procedures .06/03/200 9 11:1 8 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S 1100 8 sen t By : Norwoo d Airport ; 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-26-0 9 15:22 ; Pag e 7/ 9

Specia i note : Transien t

commercia l fligh t

operator s ar e no t

authorize dt o us e th e airport a s abas e o f

operation s t o pic k

u p student s o r

clients ; t o advertis e und/o r us e th e airpor t

a s apoin t o f origi n o r

destinatio n withou t

first obtainin g fro mth e NA C acommercia l permit . rV . Groun dOperations , Aircraft Servicing , Avionic s Servicin g A commercia l operato r

engage di n groun doperation s wil l provid e th e following : 1 . A wel l li t

an dheate dwailin g roo mo f a t leas t 20 0 squar e fee t

an dhangar spac e o f a t leas t 2,00 0 squar e feet , lease do r owned . Thi s are ai s t o b e locate dwithi n walkin g distanc e o f th e aircraft , on , o r

adjacen t t o th e Airport , or , o n Acces s Roa dbetwee n th e nort han dsouthend s o f th e Airpor t boundary , 2 . A liste dtelephon e numbe r unde r th e compan y name , an dattende ddurin g norma l busines s hoiurs . 3 . Liabilit y insuranc e o f at leas t $1,000,00 0 namin g th e Tow n o f Norwood , Norwoo dAirpor t

Commission , an dNorwoo dAirpor t managemen t

a s additionall y insured . 4 . A t

leas t tw o full-time , license dmechanic s o n duty durin g norma l busines s hours , fiv e day s aweek . 5 . Minimu mequipment , including , bu t no t limite dto : jack s an dlift s fo r both high

- an dlow-winge daircraft ; an dengin e testin g equipment . 6 . A minimu mstoc k o f spar e part s peculia r

t o th e typ e o f

aircraf t maintaine d a t th e facility . 7 . Suitabl e facilitie s fo r washin g an dcleanin g aircraft. 8 . A servic e t o remov e an y non-airworth y aircraf t fro mth e Airpor t

withi n a reasonabl e time . 9 . A plan , approve dth e Norwoo dFir e Departmen t an dAirpor t

Manager , fo r th e storag e and . remova l o f an y an dal l wast e aircmf t fluids o r

cleanin g materials . V . Fue l Storag e an dDispensin g A n operato r

engage di n th e storag e and/o r dispensin g o f

fiiel wil l b e expecte dt o provide : 1 . A heate dwaitin g roo mfo r passenger s an dcre w o f transien t

aircraft , comprisin g a t

leas t 20 0 squar e feet , wit hacces s withi n th e buildin g t o res t room s an dapubli c telephone . Thi s are ai s t o b e locate dwithi n walkin g06/03/200 9 11:1 8 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE

S ®00 9 sen t By : Norwoo dAirport ; 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-26-0 9 15:22 ; Pag e 8/ 9

distanc e o f

aircraft , on , o r

adjacen t

t o th e Airport , o r

o n Acces s Roa d betwee n th e nort han dsout hend s o f th e Airpor t

bmmdary , 2 . A liste dtelephone , unde r th e compan y name , an dattende ddurin g operatin g hours . 3 . Liabilit y insuranc e o f a t leas t S5,000,000 , namin g th e Tow n o f Norwood . Norwoo dAirpor t

Commission , an dNorwoo dAirpor t managemen t

a s additionall y insured . 4 . Approve dstorag e tanks , locate do n th e Airport , wit haminimu mcapacity o f 10,00 0 gallon s o f

Je t A an d10,00 0 gallon s o f 10 0 lo w lea dfuel . 5 . Prope r

Spac e t o servic e th e type s o f aircraf t usin g th e Airport . 6 . Fixe dan dmobile , metere dpumpin g equipmen t capabl e o f

re-fuelin g th e larges t aircraf t likel y t o b e fuele da t

th e Airport . 7 . Approve dgroundin g cable s an dfue l nozzle s t o eliminat e stati c electricit y hazards . 8 . Auxiliar y equipmen t includin g a t

leas t on e pre-heater , on e batter y cart , on e compresse dai r

dispenser , an dothe r

equipmen t

tha t ma y b e require dt o serv e aircraf

t usin g th e Airport . 9 . Fuelin g service s b y uniforme dpersonne l seve n day s aweek , a t leas t fro m 7 a,m . t o 7 p.m . 10 . A forma l trainin g program , approve db y bot hth e Fir e Departmen t an dth e Airpor t Manager , fo r

lin e personne l engage di n aircraf t re-fueling . 11 . A fonna l an ddocumente dprocedur e fo r th e maintenanc e an dinspectio n o f th e fuelin g facilit y an dacommitmen t t o kee p th e fuelin g are aclea n an d fre e o f snow , debri s an dhazardou s conditions . VI . Uniqu e Service s A n operato r

engage din , bu t

no t limite dto , aeria l photography , advertising , surveying , o r othe r suc hservice s mus t

provid e th e following : 1 . A wel l li t

an dheate doffic e o f

a t leas t 20 0 squar e feet , lease do r owned . Thi s are ai s t o b e locate dwithi n walkin g distanc e o f th e aircraft , on , o r adjacen t t o th e Aiiport , or , o n Acces s Roa dbetwee n th e nort han dsout h end s o f th e Airpor t

boimdary . 2 . License s sndJa r authorizatio n t o d o busines s i n th e stat e o f Massachus^ts .06/03/200 9 11:1 9 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S ©01 0 Sen t By : Norwoo d Airport ; 78 1 25 5 5617 ; Mar-2e-0 9 15:23 ; Pag e 9/ 9



### 3 . A liste dtelephon e numbe r under th e compan

y riam e andmanne ddurin g norma l busines s hours . 4 . Premis e liabilit

y insuranc e o f

S1,000,00 0 combine dsingl e lunit , bodily iiyur y andpropert

y damage ; an

dcommercia

l aircraf t liabilit y insuranc e o f $1,000,00 0 minimumper

passenger , als o namin g th e Town o f Norwood , th e Norwoo dAirpor

t Commission , andNorwoo dAirpor t Managemen

t a s additionally insured . 5 . A suitabl e commercia l tie-down .06/03/200 9 11:1 9 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S Soi l 

## ^^c«r p \ ^ 

# Norwoo d Memoria l Airpor t

Genera l Regulation s

(w/ o attachments )

Revised : Octobe r

200 806/03/200 9 11:1 9 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S 101 2 T H E COMMONWEALT H O F MASSACHUSETT S

EXECUTIV E OFFIC E O F TRANSPORTATIO N MASSACHUSETT S AERONAUTIC S COMMISSIO N 

# EO T

OEVA L L . PATRIC K QOVERNO n TIMOTH Y P . MURRA Y LiEUTEHAN T GOVERNO R BERNAR D COHE N SecRrTAR Y AN D CHAI R Novembe r

7 , 200 8 Rus s Maguire , Manage r Norwoo dMunicipa l Airport 125 Acces s Roa d Norwood , MA 02062-004 0 Re : Norwoo dAirport

Commissio n Genera l Regulation s Dear Russ : MA C ha s receive dyou r

revise dAirpor t

Regulatio n an dhereb y approv e them . Th e Airport' s previou s Regulation s wer e als o approve do n Marc h15 , 2006 . Th e MA C wil l retai n th e recen t Regulation s fo

r ou r files. Sincerel y yours , Wayn e Kerchne r

TE N PARK.PLAZA , ROO M 3190 , BOSTON , MA 02116-396 9 TELEPHONE : (617 ) 973-818 1 • TELEFAX : (617 ) 973-888 9 • WWW.MASSAERONAUTICS.OR G

# I I 06/03/200 9 11:1 9 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S 001 3 

### 1 2 II . INTRODUCTION : Thes e regulations , whic hsupersed e th e 198 3 regulations , hav e bee n adopte di n compUanc e wit hM.G.L. , Chapte r 90 , Sectio n 5 1 b y th e NORWOO D AIRPOR T COMMISSION , hereinafte r refene dt o a s th e Commission . III . COMMERCIA LAERONAUTICA LOPERATIONS : A . N o person , firm, corporatio n o r entity (includin g non-profi t organizations ) shal l us e th e Airpor t

o r an y portio n thereo f

a s an FBO , SAS O o r

otherwis e for revenue-producin g commercial , busines s o r aeronautica l activitie s withou t first obtainin g consen t

an dawritte n permi t

for suc hactivitie s fi:omth e Commissio n an denterin g int o suc hwritte n lease s andoth^ r agreement s a s prescribe db y th e Commission . B . Commercia l permi t applicant s mus t

mee t al l o f th e applicabl e minimu m standard s (se e Attachmen t A : Minimu mStandards) , o r b e grante din writin g fromth e Commissio n a n exemptio n t o aminimu mstandard(s) . C . Al l FBO s an dSASO s are require dt o obtai n a n annua l permi t b y Jul y l " o f eac hyear

fromth e Commission , Th e armual permi t fe e shal l b e establishe daimuall y b y aCommissio n vote . Th e Commissio n ma y waiv e I th e permi t fe e for non-profi t

organizations . 

# I . D . A n FB O o r SAS O i s abusines s entity whic hperform s o r conduct s any on e o r al l o f th e followin g activities : 

# 1 1 . Th e operatio n o f aflight school , whic hshal l mea n an y perso n o r person s o r

corporatio n engage di n givin g o r offerin g t o giv e instructio n i n aeronautics , eithe r i n tJi e flying o f

aircraf t o r i n I groun daviatio n subjects , or both , fo r

hir e o r reward ; and/o r I employ s othe r person s for

suc hpurposes . 

# I Th e operatio n o f aircraf t for hire , whic hshal l mea n hir e t o th e genera l publi c or

member s o r

classe s thereof

, an dshal l no t

includ e suc hoperation s a s ar e incidenta l t o th e carryin g o n of th e general busines s o f

th e aircraf

t owner s engage di n abusines s othe r than aeronautics , A perso n o r

persons engage di n th e busines s o f buying , sellin g o r exchangin g aircraft . Th e demonstratio n o r

renta l o f aircraft , th e sal e o f

aircraf t part s an d supplies , includin g th e sal e o f aircraf t fiael an doil , o r

th e servicin g o f aircraf t withfiiel an doil .06/03/200 9 11:1 9 FA X 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S @01 4 1 3 5 . Th e maintenanc e an drepai r o f aircraf t an dappurtenances , excep t person s engage di n mino r maintenanc e i n aircraf t owne do r operate db y them , a s authorize dunde r FA RPar t

43 . 6 . Aircraf

t radi o sale s o r

service . 7 . Aircraf

t managemen t

suc ha s fractiona l ownership . 8 . Th e furnishin g o f aircraf t storage , hangar s o r

tie-downs . 9 . Th e givin g o f

sightseein g rides;, o r

th e performin g o f

aerial photography ; o r

aeria l advertising ; aeria l surveying ; aeria l patrol ; th e operatio n o f

air ambulance ; o r

carg o services . 10 . An y othe r

activity tha t

involves , make s possible , o r i s require dt o involv e th e operatio n o f aircraft , o r

th e Airport , o r

whic h contribute s to , o r

i s require dfor

th e safety o f

suc hoperation . E . Th e foregoin g i s no t intende dt o includ e anyon e landin g at th e Airport

for th e purpos e o f

securin g servic e o r

makin g avisit , an dshal l no t includ e thos e transien t

users operatin g unde r

FA RPar t

135 , Ai r Taxi . IV . FE E AN D RENTA LSTRUCTUR E Th e Commissio n wil l maintai n afe e an drenta l structur e for facilitie s an d service s at

th e Airpor t

designe dt o mak e th e Airpor t a s financially self-sustainin g a s possible . V . GENERA LREQUIREMENT S - COMMERCIA LOPERATION S A . Mus t

b e i n conformanc e withcurren t FAA , NTSB , local an d Massachusett s aeronautica l regulation s an dan y othe r applicabl e requirements . B . Mus t

demonstrat e fmancial stability , credi t ratin g an dcurrenc y wdt h respec t t o paymen t

o f al l taxes , fee s an dothe r

agree dcharges . C . Mus t

demonstrate , wher e applicable , a n initia l investmen t i n buildings , equipment , fiimiture, fixtures, tool s an dothe r asset s pertainin g t o th e operatio n o n o r

at th e Airport

tha t meet s th e approva l o f

th e Commission . D . Mus t

agre e t o indemnif

y an ddefen dth e TOW N O FNORWOOD , th e Commission , an dAirport management , backe db y liability insuranc e an d06/03/200 9 11:1 9 FA I 50 8 73 2 040 0 HARVES T TECHNOLOGIE S 2101 5 1 6 for an y reaso n and/o r

amendin g o r

terminatin g any leas e agreement . VII . MAINTENANC E O FASSIGNE D ARE A Eac hoperato r

wil l b e responsibl e for

keepin g tha t

organization' s designate dare a i n aclea n an dnea t

appearanc e a

t al l times . Th e accumulatio n o f oi l caps , fue

l drums , hoses , debris , tras han dothe r use dmaterial s tha t

woul dcaus e hazar do r disorderl y appearanc e t o th e are ai s prohibited . Building s an dall othe r structure s unde r th e car e o f

th e operato r

o n th e Airport

premise s shal l b e maintaine di n goo d repai r an dappezirance , subjec t

to th e approva l o f

th e Commission . Vin . UNAUTHORIZE D OPERATION S N o person , partnership , firmo r corporatio n shal l operat e an y busines s o r concern at o r o n an y par t

o f th e Airpor t

premise s withou t

firs t havin g receive dawritte n permit , issue dyearl y b y th e Commission . N o person , partnership , firmo r corporatio n shal l operat e an y busines s o r concern at o r o n an y par t

o f th e Airport

premise s i n amanne r tha t conflict s o r

i s inconsistent

with , i n whol e o r

i n part , th e Airport

Securit y Pla n (Attachmen t E) , th e Airport' s Stor mWate r Pollutio n Preventio n Pla n (Attachmen t F) , and/o r

th e Airport' s bes t

managemen t

practices . IX . FLYIN GCLUB S Non-profi t

aeronautica l corporation s o r partnership s engage di n fligh t trainin g may no t us e th e Airpor t

a s abas e for

thei r operation s withou t

havin g firs t

receive d awritte n permi t

fromth e Commission . X . VEHICLE S A . Pe r

th e Airport' s Security Pla n (Attachmen t E) , n o unauthorize ddriver s and/o r vehicle s shal l ente r

th e Airport

premise s withou t

permissio n from th e Airpor t

Manager' s office . B . O n th e Airpor t

premises , groun dvehicl e operator s shal l no t excee d1 5 m.p.h , C . N o groim dvehicle s requirin g registratio n b y th e Commonwealtho f Massachusett s ar e allowe do n th e Airport premises .

## Th e T®1¥ M €>i FM®Kl^W®©i l

Commonu'cali h o f

Massachusett s 

## Norwoo dMemoria l Airport Rus s Maguire , A.A.E. , ACE , Airport Manage r Oma E ADDRES S MAILIN GADDRES S 12 5 Acces s Roa

d12 5 Acces s Roa

d Norwood . M

A 0206 2 Norwood , M A 02062

July 15,200 9 Heli-Op s Helicopter

Tour s Attn : We s Verkaart , Owner 22 6 Sout hMeado w Roa d Plymouth , MA 0236 0 Dea r Wes : A t it s monthly meetin g hel don Jul y 8 , th e Norwoo dAirpor t Commissio n (NAC ) vote dto notif y you i n writin g regardin g your commercia

l permi t request . Specifically , t o receiv e a penni t t o conduc t

cbminercial operation s o n th e Norwoo dAirport , Heli-Op s i s bein g require db y th e boardt o meet th e Norwoo dAirpor

t minimu mstandards . Thes e include havin g aNorwoo dAirport-base doffice , plu s aNorwoo dAirport-base dhanga r leas e and/or aircraf t tie-dow n lease . If Heli-Op s canno t

meet th e minimumstandards , an dstil l wishe s t o apply fo

r a commercia

l permit , th e company mus t state clearl y i

n writin g wha

t waiver(s ) it

i s seekin g fromth e NAC . Sincerely , Rus s Maguire , Man

e Norwoo dMemorial Airport Rus s Maguire , Manage r

CC : Norwoo dAirport

Commissio n

Phone:(781)255-561 6 /

Fax:(781)255-561 7 /

Email : rmaguire@ci.norwood,mo.u s / VOICE/TTY-Us e Phone Rela yHeliop s LL C

Bas e o f Operations : 22 6 SouthMeado w Roa d Plymouth , M A 0236 0 7/20/0 9 Norwoo dAirport

Commission ; Heliop s LL C ha s aBas e o f Operation s at

PlymouthAirport

an dconduct s bothPart

9 1 an dPart 13 5 helicopte r

operation s fro mal l ove r th e Commonwealt han dals o in othe r states . Heliop s ha s bot hDO T an dFA A authorit y fo r al l suc hoperations . It i s unrealisti c for

Heliop s o r

an y othe r

commercia l operato r

t o hav e aBas e o f Operation s at

ever y locatio n the y d o operation s from . Heliop s ha s n o intention s o f establishin g aBas e o f

Operation s at

Norwoo dMemoria l Airport an dw e believ e i t

unreasonabl e an dillega l fo r th e NA C t o requir e acommercia l operato r withou t aBas e o f

Operation s at

Norwoo dMemoria l Airport t o mee t th e sam e minimu mstandard s a s commercia l operator s basedat Norwoo di n orde r

t o conduc t commercia l Part

9 1 flight s (sightseein g & photography ) whic horiginat e at Norwood . A s Norwoo dha s n o formal procedur e whereb y non-base dcommercia l operator s may appl y for apermi t o r waive r t o conduc t

commercia l Part

9 1 operation s fromNorwood , Heliop s herb y formall y applie s for awritte n waive r

fromth e Norwoo dAirpor t Commissio n whic hwil l allo w Heliop s LL C t o conduc t commercia l Part

9 1 flights whic h originat e fromNorwoo dMemoria l Airpor t a s anon-base dcommercia l operator . Grantin g o f

thi s waive r

wil l brin g th e NA C int o complianc e withexistin g Federa l Laws . Heliop s LL C ha s liste dth e Tow n o f Norwoo d, th e Norwoo dAirport Commission , an d Norwoo dAirpor t

Managemen t

a s als o insure do n it s aircraf t liabilit y policy . Whil e a t Norwood , Heliop s LL C woul doperat e unde r al l Federa l Law s an dSafet y Guideline s applicabl e t o rotorcraf t usin g FA A funde dairports . Heliop s estimate s i

t woul dconduc t

approximatel y 2 0 commercia l Part 9 1 flight pe r year fromNorwoo dMemoria l Airport . Fo r Part 9 1 commercia l operations , Heliop s LL C persorme l woul dmee t passenger s at

a n FB O (Fligh t

Leve l o r other ) an descor t

the mt o th e aircraft . Fo r loadin g an dunloading , th e helicopte r

woul db e parke deithe r

at th e designate dhelicopte r parkin g circle s or , with prio r landin g permission , th e designate dairpor t helipa do r

FB O ramp area . Pleas e issu e awritte n Approva l o r Denia l (withreason s clearl y stated ) to : Wesle y H . Verkaar t Heliop s LL C Bas e o f Operations : 22 6 SouthMeado w Roa d Plymouth , M A 0236 0

## Th e TOm^ M O FM®M^VO€l>II » Commonivcahhof

Massadmscti s 

## Norwoo dMemoria l Airport Rus s Maguire , A.A.E. , ACE , Airpor t Manage r pFnc E AoDitES

S MAILIN GADDRES S 12 5 Acces s Roa

d12 5 Access Roa

d Norwood , M A 0206 2 Norwood , M A 0206 2 Augus t 13,200 9 Heli-Op s LLC Attn : Wesley H . Verkaart 22 6 Sout hMeado w Roa

d Plymouth , MA 0236 0 Dea r Wes : A t it s publi c meetin g Augus t 12 , th e Norwoo dAirpor

t Commissio n (NAC ) reviewe dyour July 22"' ' letter requestin g awaiver

o f th e Norwoo dAirpor

t minimumstandards . For acommercia

l sightseein g operator , Heli-Op s wa s require dt o mee t th e followin g standards , which , a s you noted i n your July 22TM ' letter , yo u woul dno t

attemp t t o meet , andwere therefore requestin g awaiver of ;

• A well li t

an dheate doffic e o f

at leas t 20 0 square feet , lease do r owned , witliin walkin g distanc e o f

th e compan y aircraft , o n o r adjacen t t o th e airport , or

on Acces s Roa

d

.. . between the.nort

handsout

hairpor t boundar y end s

• Suitabl e commercial tie-dow n o r hanga r spac e fo r all company aircraf

t Afte r som e consideration , th e NA C vote dt o deny your request . It s decisio n wa s base dprimarily o n th e board' s effort s t o appl y it s standard s fairl y anduniformly . A s context ; Th e Norwoo d Airpor t i s presentl y hom e bas e t o severa l commercia

l permitte dsightseein g tour operators , all o f whic hmeet th e minimumstandards , th e same standard s w e hav e require do T Heli-Ops , i.e. , to hav e aphysica

l presenc e on th e Norwoo dAirport . I n closing , for

our tenan t busines s community , th e minimumstandard s ai mto promote fai

r competitio n b

y "levelin g th e playin g field. " While fo r th e genera

l public , th e enforcement

of our minimu mstandard s discourage s sub-standardand/or unsaf e would-b e servic e providers—^thereby protectin g th e interest s o f

Norwoo dAirport' s patrons . Sincerely , Rus s Maguire

- Manager Norwoo dMemoria

J Airport CC : Norwoo dAirport

Commissio n i Phone:(781)255-561 6 /Fax ; (78I)255-|561 7 / Email : nnaguire@cijiorwood.ma.u s / VOICE/TTY-Us e Phon

e Rela y