The FAA is closing its investigation into a Detroit aviation operation that came under public scrutiny for flights it provided to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in March for transportation between Michigan and Florida. “The FAA investigated and made clear to the operator what the rules are for chartered flights,” the agency said in a statement. “The operator took steps so a similar situation won’t occur in the future.” Reportedly, no penalties were involved.
The flights involving Air Eagle’s Gulfstream G280 came under question initially for Whitmer’s departure to Florida and then for the cost and payment involved. Local media had quoted the Whitmer office as characterizing the flights as “charter,” but Air Eagle did not have the associated air operating certificate.
Air Eagle operates the G280 for PVS Chemicals of Detroit. Whitmer’s office has said it would reimburse PVS Chemicals the $27,521 cost of the flight, according to the Detroit Free Press, which also said PVS Chemicals president David Nicholson had issued a statement in May that, in the future, the company would deny requests to fly candidates or government officials.
Leading up to the 2020 elections, NBAA had hosted a Newshour Webinar highlighting the pitfalls of Part 91 operators transporting public officials. “It’s a perfectly ordinary consideration,” NBAA said but noted the complex federal, state, and local laws and ethics rules surrounding such operations. NBAA created a members-only resource to provide information reimbursement rates, government- and candidate-owned aircraft exemptions, and recordkeeping requirements.
Air Eagle, which has been based at Detroit City Airport since the mid-1990s, had no comment.