San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code Ch. 1 Airport

The Council does hereby find and determine that:

(a) The runway and taxiway of the Capistrano Airport is capable of accommodating only certain light aircraft of limited weight, size, and power;

(b) Because of the existence of residences within and along the normal takeoff pattern, pilots are required to execute a climbing left turn following the flood control channel and must begin the turn at a lower altitude than normally expected at other airports;

(c) Transient pilots are typically not familiar with the runway limitations and requirements; and

(d) Accordingly, the public health, safety, and welfare require that the use of the Capistrano Airport runway and taxiway by the general public be strictly regulated.

(§ 1, Ord. 326)

The runway and taxiway of the Capistrano Airport shall be open to the general public solely for business and pleasure flights in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(§ 2, Ord. 326)

(a) Landing permits: Fees. A monthly base landing permit shall be required for all aircraft using the runway and taxiway of the Capistrano Airport. The fee for the base landing permit shall be set by resolution of the Council.

(b) Trip Permits: Fees. All aircraft shall pay a trip permit fee for every landing upon such runway. The fee for the trip permit shall be as set by resolution of the Council.

(§ 3, Ord. 326)

(a) Warning citations. Upon a determination by the City Manager that an aircraft has been operated in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the owner and pilot of the aircraft shall be issued a warning citation stating that any future violation will result in a permanent revocation of permission to land at the Capistrano Airport.

(b) Revocation. Upon a determination by the City Manager that an additional violation of any provision of this chapter has occurred after a warning citation, the owner and pilot of the aircraft shall be notified that the landing permit for such aircraft has been revoked, and future permission to land at the Capistrano Airport shall be denied.

The landing permit shall be surrendered to the City Manager upon a determination of such second violation.

(c) Additional Penalties. The warning citation or the revocation of the landing permit shall be in addition to the penalties set forth in Chapter 2 of Title 1 of this Code.

(§ 9, Ord. 326)

Landings and takeoffs at the Capistrano Airport shall be limited as follows:

(a) No aircraft shall use the runway of the Capistrano Airport for touch and go landings or for any other purpose except landings and takeoffs.

(b) No aircraft shall use such runway or taxiway for any commercial activity, except:

(1) Business trips by owners in their own aircraft;

(2) Flight instruction by Capistrano Flying Service, unless or until such commercial activity is prohibited by the City; and

(3) Plane rentals.

(c) No aircraft shall use such runway or taxiway for any purpose if any of the following applies:

(1) The aircraft has a maximum gross weight in excess of 5,000 pounds;

(2) The aircraft is powered by a jet engine;

(3) The aircraft is twin engined; or

(4) The aircraft has a gross horse power of more than 300 horsepower.

(d) In no event shall banner towing, cropdusting, cargo or passenger transport, fish spotting, and flight instruction, except as set forth in this section, be permitted.

(§ 5, Ord. 326)

Departure patterns at the Capistrano Airport shall be as follows:

(a) Southwest. After a takeoff to the southwest on Runway 23, all aircraft shall proceed straight ahead to the flood control channel, and then execute a left turn, following the center of the flood control channel towards the ocean at the best rate of climb until outside the City limits or above 1,000 feet elevation.

(b) Northeast. After a takeoff to the northeast on Runway 5, all aircraft shall execute a climbing left turn at the best rate of climb, and either follow the center of Interstate 5 in a northerly direction or follow the center line of San Juan Creek in an easterly direction, until outside the City limits or above 1,000 feet elevation.

(§ 7, Ord. 326)

The landing pattern elevation at the Capistrano Airport shall be 1,000 feet. Aircraft shall not descend below 1,000 feet elevation, except to land. Circling of the airport after descending below the landing pattern elevation shall be prohibited, unless necessitated by air and ground traffic conditions.

(§ 8, Ord. 326)

(a) Aircraft and owners. The airport operator shall monthly provide the City with a current list of all aircraft owners, and the identification numbers of their aircraft, who are either using or renting space adjacent to the runway or taxiway of the Capistrano Airport.

(b) Trip plans. Before taking off, all pilots shall file a trip plan with the City.

(c) Landing reports. After landing, all pilots shall file a landing report with the City.

(§ 4, Ord. 326)

No aircraft shall land on, or take off from, the runway of the Capistrano Airport before dawn or 7:00 a.m., whichever is later, or after dark or 8:00 p.m., whichever is earlier.

(§ 6, Ord. 326)

It shall be the duty of the City Manager to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Landing permits, records, trip plans, landing reports, and other forms shall be as prescribed by him.

(§ 11, Ord. 326)

Aircraft shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter during a bona fide emergency or with the prior approval of the City Manager.

(§ 10, Ord. 326)