I received this strange email today from FAA:
I find this bizarre, because I never charge anyone for attending my seminars, and receive no compensation for doing them. It is true that the sponsoring organization (in this case, Sport Aviation Showcase) does charge an admission fee for their event. But so do AirVenture, Sun-n-Fun, Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven, the late Sport Aviation Expo, etc.The supervisor ... has declined the following seminar for the reason(s) listed below:
...
Reason for decline:
Event has a Cost
Event must be sponsored by a not-for-profit group.
...
Refer to FAA Order 8900.1 (fsims.faa.gov) for current guidance about events with a cost. (Page Help)
In addition, various commercial operations, (from King Schools to Sporty's to Gleim all the way down to my little flight school) provide commercial training for a fee, and issue WINGS credit for completion. AvSport is an approved FAA Training Provider for this very reason.
So, WTF?
I'm working the problem with FAA, and fully intend to offer WINGS credit once this is resolved. Meanwhile, I thought I should give you all a heads-up of bureaucracy in action.