The Daily Post Athenian runs an article entitled "Safety issues partially close McMinn airport. " Six hundred feet of the new runway have been closed as a temporary solution to a line-of-sight problem brought into question by local pilots."  County Mayor John Gentry is quoted " any financial burden resulting from changes at the airport will not fall on the local level. “If it requires some reconstruction – and that’s a big “if” right now – they have led me to believe the state of Tennessee will take responsibility,” Gentry said. “They said McMinn County is at no fault.”  “It’s a safer airport than it was before,” Gentry said. “That’s the bottom line.”

WBIR Television airs the story " Pilots say planes 'disappear' on new runway " further stating " It (the FAA) ruled the runway, made wider and longer to better accommodate corporate jets, violates the "Line of Sight" criteria." They further reported that " A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) says its project manager was informed of the possibility of a line of sight issue at a preliminary design meeting in January 2004 . The spokesperson says its project manager determined that a taxiway to be built parallel to the entire runway would negate the line of sight restriction, so he decided that it did not make economic sense to change the plan at that time." Also a spokesman for HMB Professional Engineers, the engineering firm responsible for the design of the airport expansion stated "We were trying to meet all federal standards and while doing that, we may not have met one federal standard," HMB Professional Engineers owner Mark Paslick explains. "

The immediate action required by the December 1, 2005 Fax is implemented seven days after receipt of the request.

On Dec 20, 2005, the airport manager "was contacted by telephone (by the State of Tennessee Aeronautical Division) and informed that a revision to the marking plan would be developed and that it was this division's recommendation that the parallel taxiway north of the connector A-5 be closed in addition to the north 640' of runway".

The Daily Post Athenian runs an article "Dozen local pilots argue airport safe ". "Elevenother airmen signed a separate letter rebutting questions of safety at the McMinn County Airport. “We believe the McMinn County Airport is one of the finest and safest in the state ." "The pilots delivered their statements to the McMinn County Commission Monday. “It’s a little bit of a different view than what we’ve been getting,” said Commission Chairman David Crews "

Note: On December 16, 2005, The Tennessee Aeronautical Division had already confirmed the existence of the safety issue and had recommended closure of the affected areas. (See December 16, 2005 and December 20, 2005 above)

Airport lighting contractors disclose the revised lighting plan for the airport does not included the installation of lights for the newly constructed parallel taxiway suggesting that the taxiway is temporarily closed.

Local press is notified of second closure order, and failure of County to comply. DPA, Chattanooga Times and WBIR all carry the story.

The Daily Post Athenian runs an article "Flight instructor says he was fired for whistleblowing .

The Chattanooga Times Free Press runs an article "Flight instructor who complained about runway danger loses contract.

WBIR airs the story Flight instructor says raising safety concerns cost him his job

North 3450' of runway closed for construction activities required to repair line of sight issue created during construction in fall of 2005.

Notam Text: (Current as of: 16 AUG 13:47 GMT)
!BNA 08/203 MMI 2/20 N 3450 CLSD WEF 0608161200

Removal of runway asphalt begins on the North end of the runway.

A second NOTAM is issued closing the North 1700 feet of runway  2/20, however the original closure NOTAM issued August 16, 2006 is also still in effect?

NOTAM's are revised to reflect the following:

Notam Text: (Current as of: 24 AUG 00:09 GMT)
!BNA 08/269 MMI 2/20 N 1700 CLSD
!BNA 08/294 MMI TODA 3000 LDA 3000

Airport Switches Management

Athens Air Inc is replaced by Athens Air LLC. The new airport managers are Taylor Newman and Kristy Gentry