"You're... you're an FAA regional director?" Linda stammered, stepping back from the podium.
"Your board applied for a private aerodrome permit four months ago," Frank explained with icy authority. "It was denied because this strip cuts directly through an active military training route and violates minimum clearance envelopes for the surrounding agricultural easements."
Frank pulled a handheld aviation transceiver from his belt and keyed the emergency tower frequency.
"Flight November-Two-Four-Alpha, this is Regional FAA Director Frank Miller. You are attempting to land on an uncertified, illegal runway. Abort approach immediately and divert to County Regional, or face immediate pilot license revocation."
In the sky above, the twin-engine plane suddenly roared with full throttle, pulling up sharply and banking away into the clouds.