As has been reported before, Brent Taylor's 8.5 year legal battle with the FAA and the now defunct Fairchild Corp. had a positive outcome on Jan. 19th, 2011 when U.S. District Court Judge, Ricardo M. Urbina, ruled in favor of Mr. Taylor. That decision should help pave the way for easier and better access to drawings/data contained in ATC files held by the FAA.
However on Feb 18th, 2011 Mr. Taylor learned of the FAA's intention to appeal Judge Urbina's decision pending review by the US Solicitor General at the Dept. of Justice. That review has apparently been completed and as of March 4th, 2011 the Solicitor General has determined there will be no further appeals nor legal action on this matter.
It is hoped that the finality of this matter will lead to talks with FAA in Washington on solving the whereabouts, ownership, disposition and access to drawings/data needed by owners/restorers of antique aircraft to help restore and "Keep the Antiques Flying". In fact we understand a Fairchild 45 owner (unrelated to the Mr. Taylor's legal case) has already communicated with the FAA legal counsel in Washington and has been assured he will be granted access to the F-45 drawings.
As stated before, if this very time consuming and expensive process undertaken (first by Greg Herrick then by Brent Taylor, with the legal counsel of Mike Pangia) to gain access to TC data/drawings held by the FAA helps to "Keep the Antiques Flying" then it will have been worth it.
Brent Taylor
