Vote 'no' to protect Chatham airport May 10
Petition defies federal law, risks costly lawsuits
AOPA urges members and local residents in Chatham, Massachusetts, to vote "no" on Warrant Article 59 during the Town Meeting on May 10. The article seeks to limit the use of Chatham Municipal Airport to only the smallest aircraft—a restriction local leaders acknowledge is unenforceable.
Local residents petitioned to put Warrant Article 59 to a vote. The petitioners seek to restrict use of the airport to aircraft with wingspans under 49 feet. If passed, the bylaw would violate federal preemption, which prohibits local governments from restricting access to public-use airports.
Under federal law, public airport access at grant obligated airports like Chatham’s is governed only by the FAA. Attempts to restrict operations without the FAA’s consent would violate federal preemption and trigger costly legal action.
This isn’t the first time Chatham residents have tried to impose illegal airport restrictions. In 2022, voters rejected two similar articles. Years earlier, the town lost a legal battle over a ban on skydiving—another violation of federal law.
Still, the airport enjoys strong local support. A 2019 state study showed it generates nearly $14 million for the local economy and supports 156 jobs.
AOPA urges all Chatham pilots and residents to vote "no" on Warrant Article 59 at the Town Meeting on May 10, at 11 a.m. at Monomoy Regional Middle School.
