FAA Thourough to say the least ..TAG Checkmate

[ruhroa]

The FAA confirmed yesterday that it is investigating the operations of Elan Express, a Part 125 certificate holder partially owned by TAG Aviation USA that operates a Boeing 767 for Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and a 727 used for sports team charters. “The FAA has asked for additional documents from Elan related to the operations it is conducting under its [Part] 125 certificate,” an FAA spokeswoman told AIN. She did not say that the investigation involves operational control issues but did explain that “operational control requirements are basically the same for 135 and 125.” As part of a settlement agreement with the FAA, in which TAG Aviation Holding and its subsidiary TAG Aviation USA agreed to a record $10 million civil penalty but admitted no wrongdoing, the FAA also required TAG Aviation USA to “divest its interest and any alleged control in Elan Express by November 30, 2007.” Sentient Flight Group has agreed to acquire TAG Aviation USA and its assets, including AMI Jet Charter, whose Part 135 certificate was revoked by the FAA on October 12. The Sentient deal, however, does not include Elan Express. “TAG USA is going to divest itself of its small holding in Elan Express before the end of this month, as agreed to in the FAA settlement,” a TAG Aviation Holding spokesman told AIN. “At this point, TAG USA or TAG Holding really are not involved in any of the FAA’s inquiry into Elan.”

 

[ruhroa]

hmmmmmm anyone else miss the $10 million fine that TAG paid????????????? anyone????????

 

[pilot1704]

Hopefully we get some on christmas bonus!

Maybe it is coming on christmas time!

 

[Spooky 2]

The FAA confirmed yesterday that it is investigating the operations of Elan Express, a Part 125 certificate holder partially owned by TAG Aviation USA that operates a Boeing 767 for Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and a 727 used for sports team charters. “The FAA has asked for additional documents from Elan related to the operations it is conducting under its [Part] 125 certificate,” an FAA spokeswoman told AIN. She did not say that the investigation involves operational control issues but did explain that “operational control requirements are basically the same for 135 and 125.” As part of a settlement agreement with the FAA, in which TAG Aviation Holding and its subsidiary TAG Aviation USA agreed to a record $10 million civil penalty but admitted no wrongdoing, the FAA also required TAG Aviation USA to “divest its interest and any alleged control in Elan Express by November 30, 2007.” Sentient Flight Group has agreed to acquire TAG Aviation USA and its assets, including AMI Jet Charter, whose Part 135 certificate was revoked by the FAA on October 12. The Sentient deal, however, does not include Elan Express. “TAG USA is going to divest itself of its small holding in Elan Express before the end of this month, as agreed to in the FAA settlement,” a TAG Aviation Holding spokesman told AIN. “At this point, TAG USA or TAG Holding really are not involved in any of the FAA’s inquiry into Elan.”

Your point please? TAG owned 15% of EEI so that they could under California law pay benefits to the EEI staff and crew. No hidden agendas here just trying to take care of the Elan Crews. Maybe now they will have to go on the Google dole, which is proably a pretty good deal.

 

[ruhroa]

two points spooky................................ first is ...why are they going after elan? a overzelous goverment agency out of control????............ second, I was lead to believe that TAG was a "victim" here and yet I see now they paid a $10 million dollar fine I would like to know why....................................

 

[Rick1128]

two points spooky................................ first is ...why are they going after elan? a overzelous goverment agency out of control????............ second, I was lead to believe that TAG was a "victim" here and yet I see now they paid a $10 million dollar fine I would like to know why....................................

Unfortunately, we are dealing with administrative law here. You are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. In front of a judge who is working for the same people who charged you. Can we spell kangaroo court boys and girls? There comes a time, it is cheaper to pay the fine then fight. Besides the FAA has a poor record of collecting the larger fines.

 

[Spooky 2]

two points spooky................................ first is ...why are they going after elan? a overzelous goverment agency out of control????............ second, I was lead to believe that TAG was a "victim" here and yet I see now they paid a $10 million dollar fine I would like to know why....................................

Really have no idea why they would be going after Elan and believe me, I do know a lot about this operation. I believe it to be clean as a whistle on the Google side of the house and have no reason believe anything different about the B727 sports team operation as well.

No question the fine was very punitive in nature and I suspect that it had something to do with previous encounters with the DOT and FAA regarding he foreign ownership issues that TAG had encontered, and thought were behind them. TAG had worked with the DOT in 98 and then the FAA in 05 to clarify this issue and I truely believe that it was the opinon of all, that this issue was cleaned up and behind them Obviously not! All the issues that supported the oringinal suspension were typical FAA smoke and mirrors BS and later proven beyond a doubt to be bogus. We should all be scared of this type of FAA oversight.

The EEI operation shared services provided by AMIJC. Things like flight support, flight coordination, various recurrent training venues, etc. The DO for EEI came from the AMIJC side of the house. My guess and hope is that EEI will come out of this without any serious issues and those that I'm aware of at this hour are indeed minor in nature,

TAG agreed to this fine simply because the FAA had them between a rock and a hard spot. Had they stalled and appealed while their cert. was revoked most if not all of their clients would have bolted to other operations. By cutting to the chase and selling the company as fast as possible they retained most, but all of their client base thus maximizing the sale price of the company. Also the owners of TAG were very concerned about the employees of TAG and AMIJC (novel idea in todays world), and wanted to minimize the ensuing chaos that would come to them had this deal been dragged out. It was pretty obvious that the FAA was going for a scorched earth policy as they moved forward on TAG.

10 million is a lot to anybody but the owners of TAG have very deep pockets so while this hurts, it simply does not make a big dent in the total picture. TAG SA and TAG Farnborough are both more profitable that TAG USA was and will continue to operate as such. TAG Asia is a rising star and should add to the organizations world wide presence. To bad TAG USA is no longer as they were one of the best in a very difficult business. No violations, no accidents or injuries, and ten million poorer for the experience.

 

[ruhroa]

thank you