MSU under investigation by FAA for use of state planes for recruiting
As the title says, MSU is under investigation for their use of planes operated by the state of Michigan for recruting trips by Dantonio and Izzo. The investigation began after the Lansing State Journal ran a series on the planes and how they are utilized. Over a five year period, Dantonio and Izzo combined for 102 flights on state-operated flights. As you likely assumed, The University of Michigan can handle it's own recruiting travel arrangements and is not under investigation.
This explains the Arjen Colquhoun recruitment in Windsor...
Time is money people...
Flights from Lansing, USA (LAN) to Windsor, ON (YQG)
The FAA is no doubt interested/investigating because the agency believes that the State of Michigan violated the terms of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part under which their aircraft are registered.
The FAR (not to be confused with Federal Acquisition Regulations - also called "FAR" but are obviously something else) covers every aviation-related activity in the United States.
Depending the Part under which the State of Michigan registered its aircraft, operating them for the purpose of generating revenue (whether simply to reimburse actual cost or make a profit) may have been a violation of their operating certificate. FAR Part 119 covers the various types of operating certificates for commercial use. Part 121 covers air carrier certification and operational control.
MSU isn't likely to be held accountable by the FAA for its use of State of Michigan aircraft. FAA isn't likely to have jurisdiction at any rate (however, state lawmakers might be very interested if penalties are imposed the FAA against the state). Therefore, any fallout directed at MSU is most likely to be political (or potentially even the NCAA if it was somehow a sweetheart lease/rental rate) rather than legal.
According to the article, Michigan's 15 four-year public universities all have access to these planes, so MSU isn't getting any special benefit here. The only other question I have is MSU paying the same rate that any other person or entity would pay? If so, then case closed. Move on.
are allowed special clearances to take off and land, being that they are supposed to be used by State of Michigan officials.
Personally I like the registration questions above.
Reads as nothing important. Schools pay the appropriate rate for the planes, they should be able to use them. I don't see a problem with this, and my guess is that many state schools have similar provisions.
Maybe State can play the FAA at the end of the year now. I know they've always been wanting a rival to cap off the season. Could be the start of a intense rivalry.
All those recruiting trips, you'd think Sparty have more to show for it on the playing field.
I can see why the FAA is involved. Clearly there is a problem here.
dantonio must be a Glee fan.
just tell me they used one of those flights to go find out who george campell was
This just in. Leading theory on RCMB is that Dave Brandon is behind this whole thing (not lying). That's right, we ratted out Sparty to the FAA!
It's probably just that pedarast Hanrahan looking to stir things up.
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:34 AM ^