Chapter 14.06
AIRCRAFT OPERATION
Sections:
14.06.020 Aircraft engine operation.
14.06.030 Pilot responsibility.
14.06.050 Aircraft takeoffs and landings.
14.06.010 General.
A. Licenses. Only pilots certified by the FAA and having aircraft certificates or licenses, as required by statute in the state at which the aircraft is based, shall operate on or from this airport; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to public aircraft of the federal government Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, or to aircraft licensed by foreign governments having a reciprocal agreement with the United States covering the operation of such licensed aircraft.
B. Payment for Use of Facilities. Payment for use of airport facilities, storage, repairs, supplies, or other services rendered by flying service operators or others authorized to provide such services on the airport, or any service or charge against the aircraft, the aircraft owner or owners, pilots, or persons in charge of the aircraft by the City shall be made, or satisfactory arrangements for payment of same shall be made with the proper authorities before permission may be granted for departure.
C. Incident Reports. Persons involved in aircraft incidents, mishaps, or accidents occurring on the airport shall make a full report thereof to the Airport Manager’s office as soon after the event as possible, which report shall include their names and addresses; name of owner or owners of aircraft; number; type; and the airworthiness and operational certificates of aircraft; and the number of pilots’ certificates and ratings held. Pilots shall also include a complete and detailed description of the incident, including complete information on the flight or movement immediately prior thereto and any other information requested by the Airport Manager, his or her authorized representative, or any other state or federal official having authority or jurisdiction over the aircraft incident.
D. Periodical Reports. All operators of flying services, companies, agencies, flying clubs, and individuals engaged in aeronautical activities shall make such periodical reports as may be required by the Airport Manager for the proper administration of his or her office.
E. Liability. All operators, aircraft owners, pilots, and other agencies shall use the airport at their own risk and, in case of failure or error in operation or maintenance of equipment or facilities used, the City, its agents, or employees assume no responsibility.
F. Insurance. Minimum aircraft insurance requirements for interstate air carriers and interstate air taxi operators shall be as prescribed by the FAA. Minimum aircraft insurance requirements for all other aircraft shall be as prescribed by the Airport Manager and shall be developed with input from the City’s Risk Manager and the aviation insurance industry.
G. Changes in Rules. The City of Sunnyside reserves the right to amend or change these rules and regulations in the exercise of its discretion or as conditions may warrant.
H. Student Instruction. All persons instructing students and all companies responsible for the instruction of pilots shall be held responsible to the Airport Manager for the conduct of such students while under their supervision or while such students are proceeding with uncompleted courses of flight instruction. No pilot shall instruct students unless he or she possesses the necessary certificates of competency prescribed by the FAA.
I. Lighting Facility Damage. Any person damaging any light or fixture by means of contact with aircraft shall report such damage to the Airport Manager’s office immediately or as soon as communication can be established before leaving the airport and shall be fully responsible for any costs to repair or replace the damaged facility.
J. Demonstration and Experimental Flight. No experimental flight or ground demonstrations shall be conducted on the airport without the express approval of the Airport Manager and compliance with appropriate FAA regulations. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.020 Aircraft engine operation.
A. No aircraft engine shall be operated unless a licensed pilot or mechanic is at the controls at all times.
B. Aircraft engines shall be started and operated only in areas designated for such purposes by the Airport Manager. Aircraft engines shall not be started or run inside hangars or shops.
C. No aircraft engines shall be operated in such a manner that persons, property, or other aircraft might be injured or damaged by propeller slipstream or jet blast from said aircraft.
D. Pilots of aircraft intercepted by an airport guard or other authorized representative of the Airport Manager while taxiing on the field and directed by hand signal, or otherwise, to stop, shall immediately stop the aircraft and permit said official to approach close enough to explain the reason for such interception.
E. Engine Run-up. Aircraft shall not perform warm-up or prolonged engine test operations in any area that would result in a hazard to other aircraft, persons, or property and in no case where aircraft is parked in such a position to produce air-blast effect in the direction of hangars or other buildings within 100 feet. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.030 Pilot responsibility.
The pilot in command of the aircraft is responsible for avoiding a collision with or otherwise causing injury to, other aircraft, persons, or objects on aprons, ramps, and taxiways. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.040 Aircraft taxiing.
A. No aircraft shall be taxied into or out of any hangars or shops.
B. No aircraft shall be operated in a careless or reckless manner or taxied except at a safe and reasonable speed at which the pilot has complete control at all times.
C. No person shall taxi or, in any other manner, move an aircraft, until he or she has ascertained by visual inspection that there will be no danger of collision with or injury to any person or object in the immediate area.
D. During all hours of operation it shall be the responsibility of the pilot to operate their aircraft in accordance with the FAA rules governing uncontrolled airports.
E. Aircraft shall be taxied in accordance with the prescribed taxiing patterns when any particular runway is in use. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.050 Aircraft takeoffs and landings.
A. No aircraft shall take off or land from any area of the airport other than a designated runway unless such a landing is necessitated by an emergency situation, except that helicopters may operate from designated ramp or apron areas.
B. Report of Arrival. Pilots of inbound aircraft shall maintain radio contact with the nearest FAA air traffic control facility, shall report their positions and courses as directed and prescribed by the FAA, and shall comply with such clearances issued by the above authority.
C. Airport Manager may delay or restrain any flight or other operations at the airport and may refuse take off clearance to any aircraft if he or she deems the same necessary for safety or security. The Airport Manager may also prohibit, in whole or in part, the use of the airport for any purpose by an individual or group, except when said prohibition conflicts with contractual obligations or FAA regulations. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.060 Aircraft tie-down.
A. It is the responsibility of the aircraft operator to make certain his or her aircraft is securely tied down and to ascertain that the tie-down mechanism employed is adequate for his or her aircraft. Any damage resulting to his or her aircraft, nearby aircraft, property, or any injury to persons caused by the aircraft operator not securing or improperly securing said aircraft shall be the liability of the operator or the owner.
B. Transient aircraft are to be tied down and aircraft owners are responsible for any tie-down fees.
C. The aircraft owner or operator is responsible for containing any and all possible oil or fuel leakage from his or her aircraft. The owner or operator is liable for any contamination or other damage resulting from such leakage. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.070 Aircraft parking.
A. No person shall park aircraft in any area on the airport other than that prescribed by the Airport Manager or as directed by his/her authorized representative. Persons parking aircraft in violation of this section shall remove same when directed by the Airport Manager, or his/her authorized representative, and shall park the aircraft in a designated space and position directed by such authority.
B. Securing of Aircraft. No person shall leave an aircraft parked at any place on the airport without first having secured such aircraft with ropes, chains, or other means of fastening to adequate tie-down facilities set in the ground or in the pavement or having delivered the aircraft into the care of an authorized representative of an aircraft-servicing company authorized to do business on the airport.
C. Airport Manager reserves the right to remove or relocate the position of any parked aircraft if, in his/her judgment, it creates a safety hazard or adversely affects the overall operation of the airport. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.080 Disabled aircraft.
A. Any disabled aircraft interfering with normal runway or taxiway operations shall be removed immediately.
B. Disabled aircraft and parts thereof shall be promptly removed from the airport by the owners upon request of the airport management, unless required or directed to delay such action pending an investigation of an accident.
C. If the aircraft owner cannot remove his or her aircraft, the airport maintenance personnel may effect said removal with airport equipment. The full risk and expense of such removal shall be assessed against the owner.
D. In cases where it is found necessary for the Airport Manager to arrange for removal of an aircraft without the owner’s consent, the owner, or owners, of such aircraft shall pay for the cost of such removal; and the Airport Manager, the City, and its officers shall not be held liable and shall be held harmless from all claims of any kind for damages sustained in removal operations. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.090 Nonpayment of fees.
A. If an owner hangaring or parking an aircraft on the airport fails to pay any airport charge owed, the owner’s account is at least 60 days delinquent, and the owner’s written contract includes the remedies provided in Section 2, Chapter 254, Laws of 1987 (Chapter 14.08 RCW), the Airport Manager, or his or her designee, may take reasonable measures including, but not limited to, moving the aircraft, or using chains, ropes, and locks to secure the aircraft within the airport so that the aircraft is in the possession and control of the City. At the time of securing the aircraft, the Airport Manager, or his or her designee, shall attach to the aircraft a readily visible notice and send a copy of said notice to the owner, all in compliance with Section 2, Chapter 254, Laws of 1987 (Chapter 14.08 RCW).
B. An aircraft owner can obtain release of an aircraft secured due to nonpayment of fees by making arrangements satisfactory to the Airport Manager and by making payment to the City of all airport charges, including the cost of storing said aircraft during its possession by the City. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.100 Abandoned aircraft.
If an aircraft parked or hangared at the airport is abandoned, the Airport Manager may authorize the public sale of the aircraft by authorized personnel to the highest and best bidder for cash pursuant to RCW 14.08.122(4). [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]
14.06.110 Aircraft servicing.
A. Ramp Equipment. All equipment used for the servicing of aircraft, including motor vehicles, mobile equipment, loading stands, and repair and maintenance equipment, shall be removed from the aircraft parking aprons when not in use. Special permission must be obtained for the use or the storing of such equipment at any place on the landing area side of taxiways, ramps, or graded landing areas, and it shall be the responsibility of the person in charge of such equipment permitted beyond aprons and taxiways or on the field to equip same with flags or warning lights as directed by the Airport Manager or his/her representative.
B. Repair of Aircraft. No person shall repair an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or apparatus in any area of the airport, other than that specifically designated for such purpose by the Airport Manager, except that minor adjustments may be done while the aircraft is on a loading ramp preparatory to takeoff when such adjustment is necessary to prevent a delayed departure. [Ord. 2016-14 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016.]