Sacramento County Municipal Code Ch. 11.12 Aircraft Operations

A person shall not navigate any aircraft over, or land it upon, or fly it from the airport; or service, or maintain, or repair any aircraft, on the airport; or conduct any aircraft operations on or from the airport otherwise than in conformity with the requirements herein contained; orders issued by the Director of airports; regulations established by the FAA under authority of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-726) and amendments thereto, together with any FAA regulations and revisions, or amendments thereof; and any state rules and regulations, governing aircraft, not in conflict with rules and regulations of the United States of America.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. The owner of an aircraft based on the airport shall register the aircraft with the Director's office. Any change in the ownership will require a change in registration.

b. The pilot of an aircraft, whose owner or lessee does not have a contract or permit with the County Department of Airports, and who intends to be at the airport in excess of twelve hours, shall register at the airport flight line operations office after landing and prior to takeoff.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

Any payment for use of airport facilities, storage, repairs, supplies, or other services, rendered by the Airport Department, shall be made before flight departure. Unless payment or credit arrangements are made, the County shall have a lien on the aircraft pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 1208.61. The director may impound the aircraft.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

The director may: delay or restrict any flight or other operations at the airport; and may refuse takeoff clearance to any aircraft for a violation of this title or for reasons of safety to persons or property.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

If conditions of the airport are unsafe for landings or takeoffs, the Director has authority to issue a notice to airmen closing the airport or any part thereof. This notice shall be issued by using the United States Weather Bureau and the Flight Service Station Standard N. O. T. A. M. Procedures. Air traffic control or flight service station shall be notified by the Director. This same procedure shall be followed to reopen the airport when the field is again usable.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. Disabled aircraft and parts thereof shall be removed promptly from the runways or taxiways to a designated area by owners, at their own expense.

b. If the owner or pilot refuses to move an aircraft, as directed by the airport director, the aircraft may be towed away and stored at the owner's expense. The County shall not incur any liability for damage which may result in the course of or after such moving. The same procedure shall apply to removal of a wrecked or damaged aircraft and its parts. The County shall have a lien, upon the aircraft for the cost of such towing and storage as described above, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Section 1208.71.

c. If an aircraft is disabled on a runway of the airport, the airport director may take whatever action is necessary to make the runway safe for other aircraft. The aircraft owner shall bear the expense of such action as well as the expense of any and all damages caused to the disabled aircraft.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. A person shall repair an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or apparatus only in an area of the airport designated for such purpose. Minor adjustments may be made while the aircraft is on a loading ramp preparatory to taxi and takeoff when such adjustment is necessary to prevent a delayed departure.

b. An owner(s) of an aircraft(s) may perform repairs upon owned aircraft providing such individuals are properly permitted to do such work under current Federal Air Regulations; provided further, that such work is conducted so as to neither create any hazard nor nuisance to other aircraft, persons or operators upon the airport and the work must be performed in an area approved by the Director. The approval will include without further designation those persons who may assist the owner as described in (c) below.

c. A person, holding a current appropriate FAA certificate, may assist an owner, instruct an owner, or supervise permitted work as defined in (b) above. This person will not be deemed an aviation operator in business on the airport, which requires a contract with or permit from the County because he assists, instructs or supervises an owner who performs such permitted work.

d. The director may issue permits to individuals or companies to perform maintenance: on aircraft under unusual circumstances, i.e. repair to flyaway status, by owner of aircraft not based upon airport; on aircraft of unusual design, size of age; aircraft and the components for which there is not any qualified certificated operator upon the airport.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

A person shall neither perform warmup nor prolonged engine test operations of aircraft in any area that would result in a hazard to other aircraft, persons, or property, prolonged engine test shall not be made in any area less than one thousand feet from a terminal building. The director is authorized to establish and designate engine test areas.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

A person shall park aircraft only in an area on the airport prescribed by the Director. Aircraft shall not be left unattended on the airport, unless it is secured or within a hangar. Owners of such aircraft shall be held responsible for any damage resulting from failure to comply with this rule.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

Experimental flight or ground demonstrations shall not be conducted upon the airport until the Director has given permission. A person may not fly an aircraft into the airport control zone for the purpose of conducting an aerial demonstration or acrobatics until permission has been given by the air traffic control and the Director.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

Any person damaging any light or fixture by means of contact with aircraft or in any manner whatsoever shall report such damage to the airport office immediately and shall be fully responsible for any costs required to repair or replace the damaged facility.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

Determination as to proper category designation of any aircraft shall rest with the Director. The categories of aircraft use are as follows:

a. Private:

1. Privately owned aircraft will be operated noncommercially by owner or owners. This does not prohibit owners or operators of private aircraft from sharing expenses of the operation of an aircraft on a trip with persons other than the owner of said aircraft. Nor does this section prohibit the owner of an aircraft from allowing persons other than said owner to use said aircraft provided that no more than the actual cost of the operation of said aircraft may be received by the owner thereof for such use.

2. Private aircraft can be used in connection with the owner's business comparable to an owner's use of his private automobile.

3. Company and corporation owned aircraft that are operated for the free transportation of personnel and/or products are classified as private aircraft and subject to the restrictions as listed under Section 11.12.120(a)(1) and (2)

4. Flying Club Aircraft. A flying club aircraft shall be an aircraft owned and/or operated by a flying club as defined herein:

A "flying club" is an association or group or more than three individuals jointly owning or leasing an aircraft where payment is made to the club for the operating time of such aircraft. The registration certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Agency must show the names of all owners if the club is not incorporated and the aircraft must be registered in the name of the incorporated flying clubs. In the event the aircraft is leased, in addition to the FAA registration certificate showing the name of the lessor of the aircraft as registered owner thereof, the flying club shall furnish to the airport director the names of the lessees of said aircraft. A roster of membership of the flying club shall be made available to the airport director for inspection on an annual basis. Each flying club shall file with the airport director when applying for a permit and keep up to date after the issuance of a permit a list of the names and addresses of its board of directors, the addresses and names of its lessors if its aircraft are leased, its incorporation papers and/or partnership agreement, and bylaws or regulations governing the flying club's operation. No flying clubs shall be operated on the airport without a permit in writing issued by the airport director.

5. Aircraft for Sale. New or Used Aircraft Held for Sale Only. Such aircraft may be demonstrated to prospective purchasers, or, when sold, may be used to instruct the new owner in their operation.

6. Aircraft owned privately, but leased or rented back to a commercial operator shall be automatically classified as "commercial" as defined in Section 11.12.120(b)

b. Commercial:

1. Rental, lease, hire or charter aircraft,

2. Aircraft used for commercial purposes and not otherwise covered in this title;

c. Certificated Air Carriers:

1. Contract. All federally or California certificated air carriers holding a contract with the County for airport usage.

2. Noncontract. All federally or California certificated air carriers not covered in Section 11.12.120(c)(1) above.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

An aircraft shall not be operated on the airport unless it is equipped with tail or nose wheel and wheel brakes, except with the permission of the Director. When any pilot of an aircraft that is not equipped with adequate brakes receives permission from air traffic control to taxi such aircraft, such pilot shall not taxi such aircraft near buildings or parked aircraft unless an attendant is at the wing of the aircraft to assist the pilot; provided that an aircraft with wings and tail higher than five feet from the ground that does not have adequate brakes shall not be taxied on the airport, with or without the control tower operator's permission, but shall be towed if it is necessary to move such an aircraft.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. Pilots of aircraft shall neither land, nor taxi, nor take off until a clearance is obtained from the appropriate air traffic control currently in operation by radio, telephone or light signal when operating from Metropolitan or Executive Airport.

b. All aircraft based on or operating regularly into or out of Executive or Metropolitan Airport must be equipped with two-way radio.

c. Any transient aircraft landing at the airport, which has had radio failure, will obtain, in person or by telephone, general instructions from air traffic control prior to taxiing out for takeoff.

d. A person shall not operate any aircraft radio equipment in any aircraft when the aircraft is in a hangar; except when radio maintenance is being performed on the aircraft.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. A person shall not taxi an aircraft until he has ascertained that there is not any danger of collision with any person or object in the immediate area by visual inspection of the area.

b. An aircraft shall be operated only in a careful manner or taxied at a safe and reasonable speed.

c. All radio-equipped aircraft shall establish radio contact with air traffic control prior to taxiing or moving the aircraft. All aircraft without radios shall advise air traffic control by telephone or intercommunications system before taxiing.

d. Pilots shall not taxi onto or across runway in use until specifically cleared to do so by radio or visual signal.

e. Aircraft shall be taxied in accordance with the prescribed taxiing patterns established by the airport.

f. A person shall neither start nor run any engine in aircraft until an appropriately licensed person is in the aircraft and is operating the engine controls.

g. A person shall not run the engine or engines of any aircraft at any location on the airport in such manner as to cause damage to other aircraft or property or in such manner as to blow paper, dirt or other materials across taxiways or runways in such manner as to endanger the safety of operations of the airport.

h. Each person operating an aircraft on the airport or part of the airport that is not under the direction of air traffic control shall comply with the orders, signals, and directions of the Director.

i. A person may neither start nor taxi any aircraft on the airport in a place where the exhaust blast is likely to cause injury to persons or property. If the aircraft cannot be taxied without violating this subsection, the operator must have it towed to the desired destination.

j. Each person operating a multi-engine aircraft with engines mounted forward of the trailing edges of the wing shall lower its flaps when taxiing out of an aircraft gate position. The pilot shall operate engine throttles in such a manner as to keep the engine exhaust blast to an absolute minimum.

k. A person may not move a rotorcraft at a place on the airport (other than a heliport) while its rotors are turning unless there is a clear area of at least 50 feet from the outer tip of each rotor. A person may not move a rotorcraft at a heliport while its rotors are turning unless there is a clear area of at least 20 feet from the outer tip of each rotor.

l. A person shall not taxi aircraft or rotorcraft into or out of hangars under any circumstances.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. No person shall taxi an aircraft between a terminal building gate and any aircraft engaged in a push-back operation from that gate.

b. As long as an aircraft is engaged in a push-back operation from a terminal building gate, that aircraft shall have the right-of-way over all ground vehicles and any other aircraft taxiing in the immediate vicinity.

(SCC 707 § 1, 1987)

A person may operate an aircraft on the airport only on a surface area prepared for that purpose unless otherwise authorized by the Director. A person may use a taxi strip on the airport for a takeoff or landing only if authorized by the Director and the air traffic control.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

A person shall neither tow nor pull a glider by airplane, motor vehicle, or any other method, where such towing or pulling is for the purpose of taking off until the Director: decides that it may be done without danger to life or property and without interfering with the operations of the airport; and issues a permit.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. Parachute jumping within the confines of the airport boundaries, flight patterns, approach zones, or 45 degree entry legs, or in any other area around or near the airport is prohibited until a written permit is issued by the Director of airports.

b. Operations of airships, dirigibles, balloons, motorless aircraft, kites and unmanned rockets is prohibited within the confines of the airport boundaries, flight patterns, approach zones, or 45 degree entry legs, or in any other area around or near the airport until a written permit is issued by the Director of airports.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. Franklin Field is an uncontrolled airport and operating without a control tower. Aircraft pilots operating into or out of Franklin shall be very alert in watching for other aircraft operations. Aircraft using Franklin shall operate in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations pertaining to operation at an airport without an air traffic control tower.

b. Landings or takeoffs shall not be permitted on the grass on any portion of the field. All landings and takeoffs shall be made on the runways.

c. Aircraft pilots shall start their initial takeoff from the end of the runway. Engines shall be "warmed up" on the parking lines before taxiing out to takeoff position. If a mag check is desired immediately prior to takeoff, it shall be accomplished with the minimum of delay. Prior to taxiing onto the runway, aircraft pilots shall clearly ascertain that there is not any aircraft landing.

d. Formation or simultaneous landings and/or takeoffs are prohibited.

e. Prior authorization of the Director is required for landings and takeoffs of aircraft of more than twelve thousand five hundred pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight or for turbo jet powered aircraft.

f. Aircraft shall have all engines, that are operational, in operation when landing and taking off. Simulated forced landings by students are forbidden unless accompanied by a certificated instructor.

g. Helicopters shall not be operated within 200 feet of any area where unsecured light aircraft are parked or operating.

h. A turn shall not be made after takeoff until the airport boundary has been reached. Aircraft shall climb to the appropriate traffic pattern altitude as soon as possible.

i. Unless otherwise advised by air traffic control, small aircraft of 12,500 pounds, or less maximum certificated takeoff weight shall fly a left-hand rectangular pattern at 800 feet altitude above the ground. The base leg shall be made at a distance of at least 1,000 feet from the downwind end of the runway. Large aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight and high performance aircraft unable to sustain safe flight below 180 knots shall fly the same pattern at not less than fifteen hundred (1,500) feet above the ground. Straight-in approaches for landing are prohibited.

j. Rotorcraft shall comply with the same traffic patterns described herein for small aircraft except at an entry altitude of 400 feet above the ground.

k. Aircraft shall leave traffic pattern as follows:

1. Large aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight (or high performance aircraft) on all runways by flying straight ahead until an altitude of 1,500 feet above ground level has been reached or the aircraft is at least five nautical miles from the field;

2. Small aircraft of 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight at 45 degrees from the crosswind leg, at the altitude prescribed for type aircraft in Section 11.12.190(i)

l. Aircraft shall enter the traffic pattern at a 45 degree angle to the downwind leg after observing the wind indicator and other traffic as to the runway in use.

m. An aircraft shall not fly directly over the airport, unless landing or taking off, at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet above ground level.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. Fixed-wing aircraft shall land and take off on runways only as instructed by air traffic control. Aircraft shall have a two-way radio capable of communicating with air traffic control.

b. Landings or takeoffs shall be made only at a safe distance from buildings and other aircraft. Takeoffs and landings over building area and parking lot in the vicinity of the administration building are prohibited.

c. Landings or takeoffs shall not be permitted on the taxiways unless permission is granted by air traffic control.

d. Light aircraft desiring intersection takeoffs may request an intersection takeoff from air traffic control. Intersection takeoffs are permitted on Runways 16 and 20 from the point of intersection of Runway 12. Unless authorized by air traffic control, aircraft shall start their initial takeoff from the end of the runways. Engines shall be "warmed up" on the parking line before taxiing out to takeoff position. If a mag check is desired immediately prior to takeoff, it shall be accomplished with a minimum of delay.

e. Unless otherwise advised by air traffic control, small aircraft of 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight shall fly a left-hand rectangular pattern at 800 feet altitude above the ground and the base leg shall be made at a distance of at least 1,000 feet from the landing end of the runway. Large aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight and high performance aircraft unable to sustain safe flight below 180 knots shall fly the traffic pattern at an altitude of 1,500 feet above the ground.

f. Procedures to be Used When Landing and Taking Off:

1. Landing aircraft shall maintain not less than traffic pattern altitude until turning onto base leg prior to commencing final approach;

2. Departing aircraft shall climb out straight ahead to reach not less than 500 feet above ground level before proceeding on course, unless otherwise instructed by air traffic control.

g. Simulated forced landings are prohibited within the airport traffic pattern area.

h. Unless otherwise instructed by air traffic control, aircraft shall enter the traffic pattern at a 45 degree angle to the downwind leg.

i. Rotorcraft shall conform to the same traffic pattern but at an altitude of four hundred feet as prescribed for low performance single-engine aircraft unless otherwise instructed by air traffic control. Rotorcraft, in the conduct of touch-and-go or practice landings, shall make use of areas specified by the Director.

j. An aircraft shall not fly directly over the airport, unless landing or taking off, at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet above the ground level.

k. Rotorcraft shall not be operated within 200 feet of any area where light aircraft are parked or operating.

l. Prior permission of the Director is required for landings and takeoffs of airships, dirigibles or motorless aircraft or aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 26,000 pounds for aircraft with single tire main mounts; 50,000 pounds for aircraft with dual tired main mounts; and 87,000 pounds for aircraft with dual tandem tire main mounts.

m. Three hundred sixty degree overhead tactical approaches are prohibited, unless permission is granted by air traffic control.

n. Aircraft shall request taxi instructions from air traffic control prior to departing the parking area.

o. One hundred eighty degree side approach accuracy, power off landings are prohibited unless approved by air traffic control.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)

a. Fixed-wing aircraft shall land and take off on runways designed by air traffic control. Aircraft shall have a two-way radio capable of communicating with air traffic control.

b. Landings or takeoffs shall be made only at a safe distance from buildings and aircraft. Takeoffs and landings over building area and parking lot in the vicinity of the terminal buildings are prohibited.

c. Landings and takeoffs are prohibited on the taxiways unless permission is obtained from air traffic control.

d. Aircraft shall start their initial takeoff from end of runways. When permitted by air traffic control, light aircraft may make an intersection takeoff on Runways 16 or 34. Engines shall be "warmed up" on the parking line before taxiing out to takeoff position. If a mag check is desired immediately prior to takeoff, it shall be accomplished with minimum of delay.

e. Unless otherwise advised by air traffic control, small aircraft of 12,500 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight shall fly a right-hand rectangular pattern at eight hundred feet altitude above the ground level, and the base leg shall be at least 1,000 feet from the landing end of Runway 16. Large aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight and high performance aircraft unable to sustain safe flight below 180 knots airspeed shall fly the traffic pattern at an altitude of 1,500 feet above the ground level. The traffic pattern for Runway 34 shall be at the same altitude and distances as above except it shall be a left-hand pattern.

f. Procedures to be Used When Landing and Taking Off:

1. Landing aircraft shall maintain not less than traffic pattern altitude until turning onto base leg prior to commencing final approach;

2. Departing aircraft shall climb out straight ahead to reach not less than traffic pattern altitude before proceeding on course.

g. Simulated forced landings are prohibited within the airport traffic pattern area.

h. Unless otherwise instructed by air traffic control, aircraft shall enter the traffic pattern at a 45 degree angle to the downwind leg.

i. Rotor craft shall conform to the same traffic pattern but at an altitude of not less than 400 feet as prescribed for low performance single-engine aircraft unless otherwise instructed by air traffic control. Rotorcraft, in the conduct of touch-and-go or practice landings, shall make use of areas specified by the Director.

j. An aircraft shall not fly directly over the airport, unless landing or taking off, at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet above ground level.

k. Rotorcraft shall not be operated within 200 feet of any area where small aircraft are parked or operating.

l. Prior permission of the Director is required for landings and takeoffs of airships, dirigibles or motorless aircraft or aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 100,000 pounds for aircraft with single tire main mounts; 171,000 pounds for aircraft with dual tired main mounts; and 320,000 pounds for aircraft with dual tandem tire main mounts.

m. Three hundred sixty degree overhead tactical approaches are prohibited, unless permission is granted by air traffic control.

n. Aircraft shall request taxi instructions from air traffic control prior to departing the parking area.

o. One hundred eighty degree side approach accuracy, power off landings are prohibited unless first permitted by air traffic control.

(SCC 28 § 1, 1970)