Air Tour Lawsuit Filed in Nation's Capital Against Federal Aviation Administration.WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1997--A coalition of air tour companies which fly tours of the Grand Canyon has filed suit in the nation's capital against the government. The suit to block implementation of new rules further restricting air tour flights at the Canyon was filed against the Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), component of the U.S. Department of Transportation that sets standards for the air-worthiness of all civilian aircraft, inspects and licenses them, and regulates civilian and military air traffic through its air traffic control (FAA) and Acting Administrator Linda Daschle in the United States Court of Appeals The United States courts of appeals (or circuit courts) are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal court system. A court of appeals decides appeals from the district courts within its federal judicial circuit, and in some instances from other for the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). Circuit in Washington. The Grand Canyon Air Tour Coalition, whose members are based in Las Vegas and Grand Canyon, Ariz. and are members of the United States Air Tour Association, has increased from eight to 13 members since the intent of legal action was initially announced on Jan. 31, 1996. "The Coalition has moved quickly to challenge the FAA rules because air tour operators are facing a May 1, 1997 compliance date for these new and unjustified restrictions," said E. Donald Elliott, lead attorney for the Coalition in the case and former general counsel for EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. . Elliott expressed confidence that the court will agree that the rules must be set aside as irrational and inconsistent with the governing intent of Congress to protect and balance the rights of all who visit the Grand Canyon. Jim Petty, president of Air Vegas Airlines, called the new rules "unwarranted" and said that they represented "an extreme interpretation that goes far beyond the intent of Congress." Dan Anderson, president of the United States The head of the Executive Branch, one of the three branches of the federal government. The U.S. Constitution sets relatively strict requirements about who may serve as president and for how long. Air Tour Association (USATA USATA United States Army TMDE Activity ), whose organization exclusively represents air tour companies, said that the economic impact of these new and unfair restrictions on many USATA members could be devastating and would likely put many smaller operators out of business. He added that "most disturbing is the frightening precedent this action establishes." Official comments received by the government to the proposed rule rejected by a four-to-one margin new and more stringent rules on air tour operations at the Grand Canyon. -0- Note to Editors: This is an update on the Jan. 31, 1996 story. CONTACT: USATA Dan Anderson, 703/683-6222 or Bassett Communications Steve or Judy Bassett, 301/596-9538 or Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP LLP - Lower Layer Protocol Don Elliot or Mike Wiegard, 202/508-9558 or Air Vegas Airlines Jim Petty, 702/736-3599 |
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