Okaloosa County BOCC — August 24, 2013 — Board Chairman's letter to FAA FSDO requesting an investigation of Emerald Coast and Timberview Helicopters — reading text

Board of County Commissioners State of Florida August 9, 2013 Ms. Linda Silvertooth, Manager FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) 1500 Urban Center Drive, Suite 250 Vestavia Hills, AL 35242 Re: Request for Investigation of banner towing operations by Emerald Coast Helicopters, Inc. Dear Ms. Silvertooth, Emerald Coast Helicopters, Incorporated is based out of 2142 North 300 Road, Wellsville, Kansas, 66092 and owned and operated by principal Justin Johnson who is also principal of Timberview Helicopters Incorporated. Mr. Johnson’s companies are engaged in a number of commercial operations including passenger site seeing tours, Part 91 flights, aerial surveys and banner towing operations using Robinson R-44 aircraft in and around the Destin area in Okaloosa County. Although the County has been successful in curtailing all banner towing operations from Destin Airport (DTS), a congested and airspace constrained single-runway general aviation facility with a significant amount of development surrounding it, the referenced operator continues to engage in such activity from a barge based helipad located in navigable waterways and a 3-4 acre parcel on Okaloosa Island. Our concerns regarding the questionable safety of the banner towing operation was realized on Sunday, August 4, 2013 when a banner being towed detached from the aircraft and landed on the roof of the Elk’s Lodge. Fortunately there were no injuries or fatalities due to this incident. As Chairman of Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, I am requesting that the FAA conduct a safety inspection of the aircraft, equipment and methods being utilized to engage in banner towing activity as well as safety/risk assessment of engaging in such activity at DTS. Furthermore, please be advised that the Okaloosa County Commission operates a system of three airports and does not prohibit banner towing activity from Bob Sikes Airport (CEW) as long as the commercial operator is permitted by the County to do so in compliance with our requirements including indemnity and liability insurance. I look forward to your favorable response for convening the requested safety investigation. Sincerely, Nh ETOP Don R. Amunds Chairman Cc: Board of County Commissioners County Administrator Airports Director FAA Airports District and Regional Office —™ BCC-North 302N. Wilson St., Suite 302 * Crestview, FL 32536 + (850) 689-5030 Fax (850) 689-5025 —@ BCC-South 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 100 » Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 + (850) 651-7105 Fax (850) 651-7142