Rialto Municipal Code Ch. 13.01 General Provisions

A. The rules and regulations set out in this Title are established and adopted for the use of the Rialto Municipal Airport, referred to in this title as "airport".

B. "Aircraft" means and includes all devices that are used or intended to be used for flight in the air and any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth's surface.

C. "Airport area" means that portion of the city lying southerly of Highland Avenue and its easterly and westerly prolongation, westerly of Cedar Avenue and northerly and southerly prolongation, northerly of Baseline Avenue and its easterly and westerly prolongation, and easterly of Alder Avenue and its northerly and southerly prolongation.

D. "Airport manager" means the city administrator, or his/her authorized representative.

(Ord. 1234 (part), 1995: Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

As the operator and proprietor of the airport, on behalf of the citizens of the city, it is the policy and intent of the council:

1. To operate the airport on an enterprise basis at no cost to the local taxpayer through the imposition of fair and reasonable rentals, fees, and charges;

2. To provide for both private and commercial aviation at the airport to the extent practicable within the physical, economical and environmental constraints;

3. To provide for the full range of on-base aeronautical support through private enterprise consistent with the need for the service and availability of space and physical facilities;

4. To protect airport patrons and users from unsafe and inadequate aeronautical service and to maintain and preserve all airport facilities in a safe, secure and orderly condition;

5. To promote fair competition and not to expose those who have lawfully undertaken to provide commodities and services at the airport to irresponsible, unethical or unauthorized competition;

6. To permit and provide adequate facilities for owners of general aviation aircraft to work on and service their own aircraft within such limits as may be imposed by this section or airport regulations for the purposes of safety, preservation of airport facilities and protection of the public interest.

7. To promote the utility, educational and recreational aspects of general aviation.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

The airport is open for public use twenty-four hours daily subject to restrictions determined by the airport manager to be in the interest of public safety.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

All persons using the airport or any facility thereon in any manner, including the operation of aircraft or motor vehicles, shall obey all applicable rules and regulations established or adopted. It is the responsibility of all aircraft owners, operators and users of the airport to become familiar with and adhere to these rules and regulations.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

Violation of any rules or regulations set out in this title is sufficient cause for the airport manager to deny or prohibit access to or use of the airport by the responsible person or firm, or be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof be fined and/or imprisoned as the court may adjudge.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

The privilege of using the airport and its facilities is conditioned upon the assumption of full responsibility and risk by the user thereof, and he/she shall release, hold harmless and indemnify the city, members of the city council and airport commission, its officers and employees from any liability or loss resulting from such use, as well as against claims of third persons so using the airport. The exercise of the privilege of use constitutes an acknowledgement that the city maintains the airport in a governmental capacity.

(Ord. 1234 (part), 1995: Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

Any person damaging any airport light, fixture, surfaces, or other airport property shall report such damage to the airport manager's office immediately and is fully responsible for any costs required to replace or repair the damaged property.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

No person shall use the airport as a base for the carrying for hire of passengers, freight, express or mail, for the instruction in aviation in any of its branches, for the sale of fuels, refreshments or any commodity or service, or for any other commercial purpose unless a lease, permit or license to conduct such business on the airport has been granted by the city. Aircraft owners, including individuals, groups, associations, commercial business firms or noncommercial organizations located in the city who lease more than one aircraft to others including individuals, fixed-based operators, noncommercial flying clubs or any other operator based on the airport will be considered as carrying on a commercial business activity and must secure an appropriate lease, permit or license in accordance with this section. Recognized educational institutions other than fixed-based operators, which offer instruction in aviation in any of its branches as a portion of an approved curriculum are exempt from this section.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

A. No person shall engage in any business or commercial activity on the airport without a lease or sublease from a duly authorized master lease, approved by the council. For the purposes of this section, a "person" means any individual or group of individuals, including a company, partnership, corporation or other association. This prohibition shall apply to persons who use the airport as a base for conducting their activity but whose office or other place of business is not situated on the airport. This prohibition does not apply to:

1. Aircraft operations in which the flight originates and terminates elsewhere and the Rialto Municipal Airport is utilized as a temporary stopping place for such purposes as landings, refueling or other aeronautical service, or the embarking or disembarking of passengers, except in the case of charter, air-taxi or scheduled airlines.

2. Company or corporate-owned aircraft where personnel or products are transported free of charge, the trip being merely incidental to the company's principal business and not, in itself, a major enterprise for profit.

3. Casual or isolated transactions such as sales by the owner.

B. For the purpose of this section, a "business or commercial activity" includes the following types of activities when done for hire or compensation:

1. Retail sales of any goods, wares, merchandise or services;

2. Pilot training and flight instruction;

3. Sale, rental or charter of aircraft;

4. Air carrier and air-taxi operations;

5. Sale of aviation petroleum products;

6. Sale or service of aircraft parts, avionics, instruments, or other aircraft equipment;

7. Repair, maintenance, rebuilding, alteration or exchange of aircraft and aircraft engines, components or other parts.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

A. No person shall fly, cause or permit the flying of model aircraft, airships, balloons or similar devices on the airport or within the airport area as defined in Section 13.01.010.

B. Ultralights, with the exception of ultralights which have an airworthiness certificate, may not be operated on the airport or within the airport area as defined in Section 13.01.010.

C. No parachuting activities are permitted without the expressed written authorization of the airport manager except when deemed a lifesaving measure.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

Any person electing to base his/her aircraft on the airport shall register the aircraft with the airport manager or the appropriate fixed-based operator, as applicable. Change of ownership or removal of the aircraft from the airport shall not relieve the registered owner from payment of applicable fees unless prior written notice is given.

(Ord. 1234 (part), 1995: Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

It is the responsibility of all aircraft owners, operators and users of the airport to become familiar with and adhere to these rules and regulations.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

Special services may be rendered or special facilities may be provided on such terms as the city council may prescribe from time to time.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

No person shall operate or assist in the operation of any aircraft while under the influence of or using any intoxicating liquor or habitforming, hallucinatory or narcotic drug. No alcoholic beverage may be consumed or sold on the airport unless the city council approves and designates a place for the sale and consumption thereof.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

No signs, posters or other advertising material shall be posted or distributed on the airport without prior permission from the airport manager.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)

No person shall enter any area designated unauthorized by the airport manager unless permission has been granted by the airport manager.

(Ord. 956 (part), 1986)