John Travolta Press Statement 10/01/2007
Jumbolair Airport Safe for Travolta’s Planes
Upon
advice from his attorney, Michael J. McDermott, Mr. Travolta recently
commissioned a study by aviation engineers/geologists to resolve the existing
controversy over the suitability of Runway 18/36 at Greystone Airport/Jumbolair
Aviation Estates in Ocala, Florida to accommodate his 707B and G-II aircraft. The results of that study have been received and
confirmed that Greystone Airport/Jumbolair’s Runway 18/36 can safely
accommodate his continued flight operations.
The engineer’s assessment has been provided to the Federal Aviation
Administration, and they have indicated that they will not oppose Mr.
Travolta’s future flight operations into said Airport with either of his
aircraft. He can therefore recommence
using the aviation themed residence he constructed at Jumbolair Aviation
Estates for its intended purpose.
On
a related matter, Mr. Travolta filed suit in Federal Court on July 18, 2007
against James and Christine Garemore, as owners and operators of Greystone
Airport, for filing a false form 5010 (Airport Master Record) for 2006, which
stated that Runway 18/36 could only accommodate “single wheel, light load
aircraft.” This filing caused the FAA to
suspend Mr. Travolta’s flight operations with his 707B, which has dual tandem
wheels and is classified as a medium load aircraft under ICAO standards, at
this Airport. Mr. McDermott advised that
the federal lawsuit alleged that the reason the Garemores’ challenged Mr.
Travolta’s flight operations was to force him to pressure the developer of the
aviation based community, Jumbolair, who was then in litigation with the
Garemores, to amicably resolve its differences with them. In other words, the Garemores’ action in
filing the false 5010 form was purely a litigation tactic, which was not
founded on any substantive testing, analyses or evidence of the runways actual
structural integrity. Regardless,
because the relief sought in the Federal lawsuit has now been accomplished in
that his flight operations with the 707B may resume, Mr. Travolta can now
dismiss the Federal lawsuit against the Garemores. He will however continue to prosecute them in
State Court for the damages he has sustained as a consequence of their filing
the false Form 5010, which unjustly and improperly deprived him of the ability
to utilize the Greystone Airport for a substantial part of 2007.
Mr.
Travolta’s general counsel, Michael Ossi added that John Travolta purchased his
property at Jumbolair Aviation Estates for the purpose of continuing his
lifelong love of aviation. Mr. Travolta
will continue to pursue all necessary legal actions that will allow him to use
this property in the manner in which he anticipated when it was purchased. Unfortunately, Mr. Travolta was wrongfully
prohibited of airport use at his home in Jumbolair with this ongoing
controversy, and he is now relieved to know that he can resume his aviation
activities once again.
It
is unfortunate that the State of Florida’s most famous resident has been the victim of greed,
unnecessary lawsuits and controversy through no fault of his own. John Travolta is a great philanthropist,
including his efforts in the film industry in the State of Florida. The economic
impact of all of the films he brought to this State exceed one hundred millions
dollars, and through his efforts, aspiring actors and other Florida resident actors and filmmaker’s dreams have come true.
Click here to read article published by Journalist Timothy J. Gibbons in the Florida Times-Union
