SPATZ WON'T LET INQUIRIES DETER WORK

Having survived one of two investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration, Cape Central Airways President Mark Spatz said he plans to continue his charter freight operation.

Pending is an FAA decision to investigate allegations Cape Central launched two airplanes last March when the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport was closed because of a snowstorm.

"Right now the legal department of the FAA is handling the complaint and will decide what action to take against Cape Central," said Jean Branit of the FAA public affairs office in Kansas City.

Branit said the allegations weren't serious enough to warrant taking Spatz's charter license.

"What we're probably looking at here is some type of fine or maybe even a suspension," she said. "But these types of things can go on for two years."

The Atlanta FAA office has closed its investigation of a complaint that Cape Central Airways had poor safety standards.

The complaint stemmed from an incident in April, when a Cape Central Airways charter plane made an emergency landing on a military base in Fort Knox, Ky.

The complaint, which was filed by Vernon "Pee Wee" Rhodes, said the plane ran out of fuel while in the air.

Cape Central Airways maintained the emergency landing was made as a safety precaution because the pilot, Mark Seesing, recognized he was low on fuel.

Christy Williams of the Atlanta FAA office said that although the plane did run out of fuel while it was in flight, the FAA was satisfied with the pilot's explanation and closed the investigation.

Amid the FAA probes, the city sent Cape Central Airways, which was based at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, an eviction notice. Lawsuits followed. The city sued Spatz; Spatz countersued.

Cape Central Airways has agreed to sell its assets to Air Evac Corp. and essentially to bow out as a fixed-base operator at the airport. Spatz also agreed to drop his lawsuit.

Spatz sold most of his assets to Air Evac Sept. 29, and Air Evac has taken over as the new operator.

The sale involved hangars, the aviation fuel business, shop equipment and four aircraft. In its 15-year lease agreement with Air Evac., the city has retained an option on the fuel business.

Spatz operated nine charter airplanes at the airport. He said that now that he isn't at the airport he may increase his fleet to as many as 100.

Although Spatz declined to elaborate on his plans, he has requested an FAA 135 certificate to change his address.

Branit said Spatz is transferring his company's address from the airport to his home. He can continue to use the airport for his charter or other operations.

The only requirement for a 135 certificate is to have a director of operations, a chief pilot, a director of maintenance and at least one airplane.

Branit said Seesing will remain Spatz's director of operations and that Spatz will be the company's owner and chief pilot.

Air Evac Operations Director Sherman Watson said he hadn't heard of Spatz's plans.

"We are here to service their planes the same way we're here to take care of any other airplanes that come through the airport," Watson said.