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Title 16 — PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Chapter 16.08 — FIXED BASE OPERATOR

Palm Springs Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-10-02 · Palm Springs

§ 16.08.005. General requirements.

  • (a) In addition to the general requirements set forth in Chapter 16.06, each Fixed Base Operator at the Airport shall comply with the following Minimum Standards set forth in this section.

  • (b) Unless otherwise stated in these Minimum Standards, all products and services shall be provided by FBO's Employees using FBO's Vehicles and Equipment.

  • (c) FBO's products and services shall include the following:

    • (1) Aviation Fuels and lubricants (Jet Fuel, Avgas, and Aircraft lubricants):

      • (A) FBO shall deliver and dispense, upon request, Jet Fuel, Avgas, and Aircraft lubricants into all General Aviation Aircraft frequenting the Airport; and

      • (B) FBO shall provide a response time of no more than fifteen minutes during required hours of activity.

    • (2) Passenger, crew, and Aircraft ground services, support, and amenities:

      • (A) FBO shall meet, direct, and park all Aircraft arriving on FBO's Leased Premises;

      • (B) FBO shall provide courtesy transportation, utilizing FBO's Vehicles, for passengers, crew, and baggage, as necessary;

      • (C) FBO shall provide parking and Tiedown of Aircraft upon the FBO's Leased Premises;

      • (D) FBO shall provide hangar storage of Aircraft, to include towing service;

      • (E) FBO shall provide arrival and departure services for Aircraft using FBO's Leased Premises including crew and passenger baggage handling;

      • (F) FBO shall provide oxygen, nitrogen, and compressed air services;

      • (G) FBO shall provide lavatory services;

      • (H) FBO shall provide aircraft ground power units; and

      • (I) FBO shall make available crew and passenger ground transportation arrangements (Limousine, shuttle, and rental car); FBO shall make Aircraft catering arrangements.

    • (3) Aircraft Maintenance:

      • (A) FBO shall provide Aircraft Maintenance (as defined in 14 CFR Part43) for Group I and Group II Piston and Turboprop Aircraft;

      • (B) FBO shall be able to provide Aircraft Line Maintenance for General Aviation Aircraft up to Group III Turbojet Aircraft not exceeding one hundred thousand pounds maximum takeoff weight;

      • (C) FBO shall engage in the sale of Aircraft parts and accessories; and

      • (D) FBO can meet these Minimum Standards for the provision of Aircraft Maintenance by and through an authorized Sublessee who meets the Minimum Standards for Aircraft Maintenance Operator and operates from the FBO's Leased Premises.

    • (4) Aircraft storage:

  • (A) FBO shall develop, own, and/or lease facilities for the purpose of Subleasing (to the general public) Aircraft storage facilities and associated office or shop space to entities engaging in Commercial or Non Commercial Aeronautical Activities.

  • (Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 16.08.010. Leased Premises.

FBO shall have adequate land (see Section 16.06.035(a)), Apron/Paved Tiedown (see Section 16.06.035(c)), facilities (hangars, terminal, maintenance, and Fuel storage), and Vehicle Parking (see Section 16.06.035(e)) to accommodate all Activities of FBO and all approved Sublessees, but not less than the following:

  • (a) Contiguous Land—twenty five acres (one million eighty-nine thousand square feet), upon which all required Improvements including Apron, Paved Tiedown, facilities, and Vehicle Parking shall be located.

  • (b) Apron—ten acres (four hundred thirty-five thousand six hundred square feet), with a weight bearing capacity adequate to accommodate an Aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of two hundred fifty thousand pounds (dual wheel).

  • (c) Paved Tiedown—adequate to accommodate the number, type, and size of Based Aircraft and Transient Aircraft requiring Tiedown space at the Operator's Leased Premises, but not less than twenty Paved Tiedown spaces.

  • (d) Facilities—seventy-nine thousand five hundred square feet (total) consisting of the following:

    • (1) Terminal space—eight thousand square feet.

Customer area shall be at least three thousand five hundred dedicated square feet to include adequate space for crew and customer lounge(s), flight planning room, conference room, public use telephones, and restrooms.

Administrative area shall be at least two thousand dedicated square feet to include adequate space for Employee offices/work areas and storage.

Rental office space shall be at least two thousand five hundred dedicated square feet to include adequate space for Sublessees.

  • (2) Maintenance area—eleven thousand five hundred square feet.

Maintenance customers shall have immediate access to FBO's customer lounge, public use telephones, and restrooms.

Administrative area for Maintenance shall be at least five hundred dedicated square feet to include adequate space for Maintenance Employee offices/work areas.

Maintenance area shall be at least one thousand dedicated square feet to include adequate space for Maintenance Employee work areas, shop areas, and storage for Aircraft parts and equipment.

Maintenance hangar area shall not be less than ten thousand square feet (on a standalone basis or within another structure) and a door height of twenty-eight feet and door width of one hundred twenty feet, or large enough to accommodate the largest Aircraft undergoing Aircraft Maintenance (other than Preventative Aircraft Maintenance as described in 14 CFR Part 43), whichever is greater.

  • (3) Aircraft storage area—sixty thousand square feet.

At least sixty thousand square feet of hangar space shall be dedicated to Aircraft storage. No single hangar shall be less than ten thousand square feet and each hangar shall, at a minimum, have a door height of twenty-eight feet and a width of one hundred twenty feet.

(e) Vehicle Parking—Sufficient space to accommodate at least ninety Vehicles. (Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 16.08.015. Fuel storage.

  • (a) FBO shall construct or install and maintain an on Airport aboveground Fuel storage facility at the Airport, unless otherwise authorized or required, in a location consistent with the Airport Master Plan, Airport Layout Plan, or other land use plan and approved by the City.

  • (b) Fuel storage facility shall have total capacity for three days peak supply of aviation Fuel for Aircraft being serviced by FBO. In no event shall the total storage capacity be less than:

    • (1) Forty thousand gallons for Jet Fuel storage;

    • (2) Ten thousand gallons for Avgas storage;

    • (3) FBO shall have adequate storage, with appropriate secondary containment, for waste Fuel or test samples; and

    • (4) FBO shall also demonstrate the capability of expanding its Fuel storage capacity within a reasonable time period.

  • (c) FBO shall, at its sole cost and expense, maintain the Fuel storage facility, all Improvements thereon, and all appurtenances thereto, in a clean, neat, orderly, and fully operational/ functional condition consistent with good business practice and equal or better than in appearance and character to other similar Improvements on the Airport.

  • (d) FBO shall demonstrate that satisfactory arrangements have been made with a reputable aviation petroleum supplier/distributor for the delivery of aviation Fuels in the quantities that are necessary to meet the requirements set forth herein.

  • (e) FBO shall have a written Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan ("SPCC Plan") that meets Regulatory Measures for aboveground Fuel storage facilities. An updated copy of the SPCC Plan shall be filed with the Director of Aviation at least thirty days prior to commencing operations.

  • (f) FBO shall be liable and indemnify the City for all leaks, spills, or other damage that may result through the handling and dispensing of Fuel.

  • (g) Fuel delivered/dispensed by FBO shall meet quality specifications as outlined in ASTM D 1655 (Jet A) and ASTM D 1910 (Avgas). Ensuring the quality of the Fuel is the responsibility of FBO.

  • (h) FBO shall report all Fuel delivered to the FBO, including total gallons of Fuel delivered by type and make, during each calendar month and submit a summary along with appropriate fees and charges due the City on or before the tenth day of the subsequent month.

  • (i) FBO shall maintain records identifying the total number of aviation Fuel gallons purchased and delivered. Records (and meters) shall be made available for audit to the City or representatives of the City. In the case of a discrepancy, FBO shall promptly pay, in cash, all additional rates, fees, and charges due the City, plus annual interest on the unpaid balance at the maximum rate allowable by law from the date originally due.

  • (Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 16.08.020. Fueling Equipment.

  • (a) FBO shall have three Jet Fuel Refueling Vehicles with one having a capacity of at least five thousand gallons and the other two having a capacity of at least two thousand gallons.

  • (b) FBO shall have two Avgas Refueling Vehicles having a capacity of at least seven hundred fifty gallons. An FBO may have only one Avgas Refueling Vehicle if FBO has a written agreement with another (separate) FBO at the Airport to provide Avgas fueling services at times when the FBO's Refueling Vehicle is unavailable or unable to meet the required response time.

    • (1) Agreement must be on file with the Director of Aviation.
  • (c) Aircraft Refueling Vehicles shall be equipped with metering devices that meet all applicable Regulatory Measures. At least one Refueling Vehicle dispensing Jet Fuel shall have over the wing and single point Aircraft servicing capability. All Refueling Vehicles shall be bottom loaded.

  • (d) Fueling Equipment shall be equipped and maintained to comply with all applicable safety and fire prevention requirements, standards, and Regulatory Measure including, without limitation, those prescribed by:

    • (1) State of California Fire Code and local Fire District;

    • (2) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes;

    • (3) California Department of Health and Environment Oil Inspection Regulatory Section;

    • (4) 14 CFR Part 139, Airport Certification, Section 139.321 "Handling/Storing of Hazardous Substances and Materials;" and

    • (5) Applicable FAA Advisory Circulars (AC) including AC 00-34 "Aircraft Ground Handling and Servicing" and AC 150/5210-5 "Painting, Marking and Lighting of Vehicles Used On An Airport."

  • (Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 16.08.025. Equipment and personnel.

  • (a) FBO shall have the following equipment:

    • (1) Adequate equipment for securing Aircraft on the Apron including ropes, chains, and other types of Aircraft restraining devices and wheel chocks which are required to safely secure Aircraft as described in FAA Advisory Circular 20-35C;

    • (2) One oxygen cart, one nitrogen cart, and one compressed air unit;

    • (3) One courtesy vehicle (capable of accommodating seven passengers) to provide transportation of passengers, crews, and baggage to and from destinations on the Airport and local area resorts, hotels, and restaurants;

    • (4) One ramp transportation vehicle to provide transportation of passengers and baggage between the FBO's terminal building and Aircraft;

    • (5) Two Aircraft tugs (and tow bars) with at least one having a rated draw bar capacity sufficient to meet the towing requirement of the heaviest General Aviation Aircraft frequenting the Airport;

    • (6) Two ground power units capable of providing electricity to direct current (DC) powered Aircraft;

    • (7) One lavatory service cart;

    • (8) Spill kits including the necessary equipment and materials to contain a Fuel spill and keep it from flowing into drains or other areas;

    • (9) Adequate number of approved and regularly inspected dry chemical fire extinguisher units shall be maintained within all hangars, on all Apron areas, at all Fuel storage facilities, and on all grounding handling and Refueling Vehicles; and

    • (10) All Equipment reasonably necessary for the proper performance of Aircraft Maintenance in accordance with applicable FAA regulations and manufacturers' specifications.

  • (b) Personnel, while on duty, shall be clean, neat in appearance, courteous, and at all times, properly uniformed. Uniforms shall identify the name of the FBO and the employee and shall be clean, neat, professional, and properly maintained at all times. Management and administrative personnel shall not be required to be uniformed.

  • (c) FBO shall develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Fueling and ground handling and shall ensure compliance with standards set forth in FAA Advisory Circular 00-34A "Aircraft Ground Handling and Servicing." FBO's SOP shall include a training plan, Fuel quality assurance procedures and associated record keeping, and emergency response procedures to Fuel spills and fires. FBO's SOP shall also address: regular safety inspections, bonding and fire protection; public protection; control of access to Fuel storage facilities; and marking and labeling of Fuel storage tanks and Refueling Vehicles. FBO's SOP shall be submitted to the Director of Aviation no later than thirty days before the FBO commences Activities at the Airport (and it shall be resubmitted anytime changes are made).

  • (d) FBO shall have three properly trained and qualified Employees, on each shift, providing

Aircraft fueling, Parking, and ground services and support. One supervisory Employee shall have been trained in an FAA approved fire safety program (14 CFR Part 139.321).

  • (e) FBO shall have two properly trained and qualified Employees, on each shift (except from the hours of ten p.m. to six a.m.), to provide customer service and support.

  • (f) FBO (or approved Sublessee) shall have one airframe and powerplant mechanic properly trained and qualified to perform Aircraft Maintenance on Aircraft frequenting the Airport.

  • (Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 16.08.030. Hours of Activity.

  • (a) Aircraft fueling and passenger, crew, and aircraft ground handling services, support, and amenities shall be continuously offered and available to meet reasonable demands of the general public for this Activity between the hours of six a.m. and ten p.m. seven days a week (including holidays). These services shall also be available all other times (after hours), on call, with a response time not to exceed sixty minutes.

  • (b) Aircraft Maintenance shall be continuously offered and available to meet reasonable demand of the general public for this Activity between the hours of eight a.m. and five p.m. five days a week.

  • (c) Aircraft Maintenance shall be available all other times (after hours), on-call, with response time not to exceed sixty minutes.

  • (Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 16.08.035. Aircraft removal.

Recognizing that Aircraft removal is the responsibility of the Aircraft Owner/Operator, the FBO shall be prepared to lend assistance within thirty minutes upon request by either the Director of Aviation or the Aircraft Owner in order to maintain the operational readiness of the Airport. The FBO shall prepare an Aircraft removal plan and have the Equipment Readily Available that is necessary to remove the General Aviation Aircraft frequenting the Airport. (Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 16.08.040. Insurance.

FBO shall maintain, at a minimum, the coverage and limits of insurance set forth in Section 16.06.075 of this code.

(Ord. 1693 § 2, 2006)

Exceptions & meaning →

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