Chapter 8.40 — MEFFORD FIELD REGULATIONS

Section 8.40.010 Purpose. 8.40.020 Definitions. 8.40.030 General provisions. 8.40.040 Aircraft operation. 8.40.050 Fire regulations. 8.40.060 Agricultural operations. 8.40.070 Glider operations. 8.40.080 Operations manual. 8.40.090 Fees. 8.40.100 Enforcement. 8.40.110 Appeals.

This chapter is enacted for the purpose of adopting rules and regulations relative to the operation of the Mefford Field. These regulations are not intended to amend, modify or supersede provisions of federal or state law applicable to airport operations or any other specific contractual agreement of the city with which they may conflict. (1995 Code, § 8.40.010)

For the purposes of this chapter, certain words and terms used herein are defined as follows. AGRICULTURAL OPERATOR. A person engaged in the business of supplying, loading and unloading agricultural and other chemicals used for crop dusting or other airborne spraying activities. AIRPORT. Mefford Field including all property and improvements within the boundary lines of the airport. AIRPORT MANAGER. The Airport Manager, as appointed by the City Manager or his or her designee. CONCESSIONAIRE. Synonymous with FIXED BASE OPERATOR. FIXED BASE OPERATOR. A person engaged in any business authorized by permit or agreement with the city on airport property. FLYING CLUB. An association or group of more than three individuals jointly owning or leasing an aircraft where payment is made to the club for the operating time of the aircraft. GLIDER. Any aircraft designed to operate without an engine or other means of propellant. GROUND VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle other than an aircraft. HANGAR. A building intended to house aircraft for storage, maintenance or other approved purpose. ITINERANT OPERATOR. Any person using, on a temporary or intermittent basis, the airport or airport facilities in the conduct of a business.

PERMANENT BASED AIRCRAFT. Any aircraft parked or stored on the airport for 30 days or more. RUNWAY. An area designated for landing and taking off of aircraft. TIE DOWN. An unenclosed space where an aircraft may be tied down with ropes or devices to prevent unintentional movement. TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT. Any aircraft parked or stored on the airport for less than 30 days. (1995 Code, § 8.40.020)

(A) Liability. The permission granted by the city to use the airport facilities shall be conditioned upon the assumption of full responsibility by each user. Each user shall release from, hold harmless of, and indemnify the city and its officers, agents and employees from any and all responsibility, liability, loss or damage caused by or on behalf of the person using the airport facilities. (B) Insurance. Fixed base operators shall secure and maintain throughout the terms of their lease or agreement with the city public liability and property damage insurance in amounts to be specified by separate agreement and shall name the city as coinsured. A certificate of the insurance shall be filed with the Airport Manager. (C) Accident reports. Every person involved in an accident on the airport property, including but not limited to pedestrian, aircraft or automotive occurring on the airport shall make a report to the Airport Manager not later than 24 hours after the accident occurs. (D) Loitering. (1) No person shall loiter in any building located on the airport or on airport property nor interfere, tamper with or put into motion any aircraft or other equipment without permission of the owner, unless directed by the Airport Manager. (2) Any person refusing to comply with the rules and regulations of the airport, after proper request by the Airport Manager, shall be considered a trespasser. (E) Motor vehicles. (1) Operators of motor vehicles on the airport must possess a current valid driver’s license. (2) Pedestrians and aircraft shall have the right-of-way over other vehicles. Vehicles shall pass to the rear of taxiing aircraft. (3) When parked adjacent to a runway, vehicles must be placed parallel to the runway and at least 100 feet from the outside of the runway lights or from the runway shoulder where there are no lights. (F) Trash disposal. (1) Fixed base operators shall provide metal disposal bins, the location of which shall be approved by the Airport Manager. (2) Petroleum products and chemicals shall not be placed in drains, basins or ditches on airport property. (G) Flying clubs. Prior to operation on airport facilities, each flying club shall receive written permission from the Airport Manager. Each flying club shall file with the Airport Manager a list of the names and addresses of its members and a copy of the by-laws and regulations governing the flying club’s operations. (H) Commercial activity. Persons engaged in commercial activity of any nature on the airport, including flight instruction, shall be required to enter into a written contract with the city unless specifically exempted from such requirement by the Airport Manager; except that an aircraft owner may perform repairs and inspection upon his or her aircraft provided that the work is conducted in an area approved by the Airport Manager so that it does not create a hazard or nuisance to other persons or aircraft. Other persons may assist the aircraft owner or supervise the maintenance work; however, if a fee for the service is charged, a city business license must be obtained. (I) Signs. Signs, posters, advertisements, circulars or other written or printed matter shall not be placed or posted on the airport property or buildings without prior written permission of the Airport Manager, except that sale or lease signs may be placed in any aircraft. Each fixed base operator is requested to maintain a bulletin board on which to post the names and telephone numbers of the police, fire, Airport Manager, licensed physician and copy of the rules and regulations of the airport. (J) Equipment or facility damage. Any person damaging any light fixture or other airport equipment or device by any means whatsoever, shall report the damage to the Airport Manager and shall be responsible for any costs required to replace or repair the damaged facility. (1995 Code, § 8.40.030)

(A) General. (1) Aircraft permanently based on the airport shall be registered with the Airport Manager. (2) Permanently based aircraft shall be parked or hangared in specific areas designated by the Airport Manager. (3) Disabled aircraft and aircraft parts shall be promptly removed from runways and taxiways to a designated storage area. If the owner or operator fails to move such disabled aircraft or parts within a reasonable time, the Airport Manager may require removal and storage at the owner’s expense. (B) Ground operations. (1) Engine warm up, prolonged engine test operations or pre-flight engine operational checks may not be performed in any area that would result in a hazard to other aircraft or persons. (2) Aircraft shall be taxied in accordance with the with the prescribed taxiing procedures established by the Airport Manager. Taxiing is permitted only on a surfaced area prepared for that purpose or unless otherwise authorized by the Airport Manager. (C) Flight operations. (1) Mefford Field is an uncontrolled airport operating without a control tower. Aircraft using the airport shall operate in accordance with Federal Aviation regulations pertaining to operation at airport without air traffic control towers. (2) Pilots of aircraft are encouraged to establish radio contract on the assigned Unicom Frequency prior to landing or take-off. Landings or take-offs shall be confined only to the designated runways. (3) Aircraft shall not fly directly over the airport at an altitude of less than 500 feet above designated pattern altitude, 800 feet above ground, 1,100 feet above mean sea level unless in the process of land or taking off. (4) Turns should not be made after take-off until the Airport boundary has been reached. (5) Aircraft should enter the traffic pattern at a 45-degree angle. Straight in landing approaches are discouraged. (6) Landing aircraft should maintain not less than the assigned traffic pattern altitude until turning onto the base leg, prior to commencing final approach. (7) Three hundred sixty degree overhead tactical approaches are discouraged. (8) The Airport Manager may delay or restrict any flight or other operations on the airport or may refuse take-off clearance to any aircraft in order to safeguard the safety of persons or property. (1995 Code, § 8.40.040)

Article 33, “Airports, Heliports and Helistops”, of the Uniform Fire Code, as adopted by the City Council shall be applicable on all airport property and facilities. (1995 Code, § 8.40.050)

In addition to the regulations contained herein, the operations at Mefford Field shall also be governed by an operations manual adopted by resolution of the City Council. (1995 Code, § 8.40.080)

Fees shall be established from time to time by the City Council by separate resolution. Payment for use of airport facilities, storage or other services shall be made before flight departure. The Airport Manager may impound the subject aircraft if the payment has not been made or suitable credit arranged.

(1995 Code, § 8.40.090)

Any person operating or handling aircraft, operating any vehicle, equipment or apparatus, or using the airport or any of its facilities in violation of the rules and regulations contained herein may be removed from the airport by the direction of the Airport Manager. The person may be refused further use of the airport facilities for the length of time as the Airport Manager deems necessary in order to safeguard the public safety and the airport facilities. Any person violating or aiding in the violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction. The Airport Manager shall be responsible to enforce the provisions of this chapter. If any portion of this chapter is declared invalid or unenforceable, all other portions shall remain in effect. (1995 Code, § 8.40.100)

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Airport Manager under the terms of this chapter may appeal the decision to the City Council in writing. The Council shall review the decision of the Airport Manager and may affirm, reverse or modify the decision. (1995 Code, § 8.40.110)