FAA Proposes $228,000 Penalties Against Airport, Tour Operator

The FAA has proposed a $170,000 civil penalty against Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in California, alleging that it lacked required aircraft rescue and firefighting personnel and vehicles for two passenger flights in March 2025 and did not notify the airline. The agency also alleges the airport failed to inspect the runway for deer and other wildlife before the first flight of the day on one occasion. Separately, the FAA proposed a $58,000 penalty against Arapahoe Flight Club, a Colorado Springs commercial air tour operator, alleging it hired two pilots and two mechanics without required pre-employment drug and alcohol testing and allowed them to perform safety-sensitive work without enrolling them in the random testing pool. Both proposed penalties remain allegations, not final findings, and each organization has 30 days after receiving its notice to respond.