The Board of Directors, and all of them are listed right here on this site, want the CITIZENS OF THE GREAT CITY OF KANSAS CITY TO KNOW, as keepers of all the historical items entrusted to us, there are individuals who are parading around claiming to be the museum. They have been identified. Make no mistake about it, the AHM Board of Directors, are the only ones authorized to speak on behalf of the Museum or take any actions on property and assets.

FAA Decision

The FAA has made a decision in Docket No. 16-24-04 ultimately did not come down in the favor of the Airline History Museum, it was similarly not complementary of the City of Kansas City and their hands-off management that jeopardizes Grant Assurances that put money into the city airport coffers. Specifically the FAA Director, Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis stated:

Notwithstanding the lack of current grant assurance violation, the Director recommends the

following:

1)      In light of Signature’s previous denial of access to AHM’s aircraft, it is evident that the City must play a more active role in the oversight of airport operations. The City should monitor EB/Signature’s actions to ensure it provides reasonable access to aeronautical users in compliance with Grant Assurance 22, Economic Nondiscrimination.

2)      The City’s past participation in a denial of access to AHM’s aircraft and its potential action and inaction in exercising its signature/approval authority regarding AHM’s subleases demonstrates a potential lack of due diligence on behalf of a federally obligated airport sponsor. Accordingly, the City should review and monitor its airport management practices.

Such actions should include:

a. taking steps to ensure the fulfillment of its obligations under Grant Assurance 22,

Economic Nondiscrimination;

b. ensuring Signature and any other tenants are maintaining their leaseholds in a safe and serviceable condition, consistent with Grant Assurance 19, Operation and

Maintenance;

c. formalizing a lease and sublease review and approval processes; and

d. reviewing its land management and leasing practices to prevent potential land

banking and to ensure competitive opportunities for interested FBOs to do business

at MKC.

3) The City should review its pavement preventative maintenance program, including

coordination with the relevant FAA 14 CFR part 139 inspector for input on maintenance and condition of airport pavements subject to Part 139 inspection requirements, including the EB/Signature leasehold, as applicable.

While the Director does not find the City to be in current violation with its grant assurance obligations, the Director notes that Congress expressly supported an airport revenue use exception that allows airport sponsors to provide incentives to aviation museums in recognition of the value of “aviation human infrastructure” and the contributions such museums make to the understanding and support of aviation. Through this Determination, the Director reaffirms the value of showcasing aviation history, provided this activity is incompliance with a sponsor’s federal obligations.

The AHM museum, while not in agreement with the FAA decision, desires to move all the items off the site, but have repeatedly been prohibited by Signature Aviation, and the City of Kansas City has permitted this.

The fact is, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Kansas City has been heard that their interest in the great history of aviation in this city is not desired.

Now sponsor our badges, fix the hangar door that is not working, let us get to our things and move them out of the hangar. The City has not ensured that Signature Aviation has provided basic heat, running water, or building maintenance. Criminal? We will let the Attorney General decide such things, and if graft is at play.

The Airline History Museum loves you Kansas City, but it is clear your leaders did not love aviation history.

Respectfully,

The Board of Directors

FAA Documentation can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/search?filter=16-24-04