Pinocchio Chronicles: The FAA Dodging FOIA & the Public, Part IV

Without any public hearings. Why did the FAA a few months ago classify McClellan-Palomar Airport as an ultimate FAA-rated D or higher airport? An “honest” hypothetical dialog with the FAA might go like this.

Carlsbad (C): Why did the FAA list the ultimate Palomar classification as D when Palomar is an FAA-rated B airport and the Carlsbad Council in 2019 adopted a resolution opposing converting Palomar to a D airport?

FAA (F): The FAA Western Pacific Region Director in El Segundo does not care what Carlsbad thinks. We follow what the San Diego county Palomar owner/operator wants.

C: But in 2021 – after the San Diego court overturned the FAA/SD County’s 2018 Palomar Master Plan and proposed D classification - the county Supervisors voted to keep Palomar a B airport.

F: Yes, but the FAA has met with county airport staff to discuss the Palomar classification.

C: Well aren’t you saying that the FAA adopted a Palomar ultimate classification based on discussions with airport staff, not based on a county Supervisors decision?

F: The FAA does not involve itself with local politics.

C: So the FAA position is: The FAA classifies Palomar based on what the county wants but you have no Supervisor' action approving an ultimate Palomar D classification?

F: You need to discuss that issue with the county.

C: So if the FAA Administrator in Washington D.C. adopts a policy, the FAA Western Pacific Region ignores the Administrator’s policy, correct?

F: Of course not.

C: Seems like a double standard.