Ventura County Municipal Code Art. 6 Aircraft Operations/Aeronautical Activities

The purpose of this article is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, property, and public welfare by regulating and controlling the various aircraft activities on the airports owned and operated by the County of Ventura. All regulations of this article regarding aircraft and the operation of the same shall apply to any and all types of aircraft including helicopters, gyrocopters, lighter than air, gliders and ultralight aircraft.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

The owners of all aircraft, including ultralight and experimental aircraft, based at either airport shall carry liability and property damage insurance as prescribed by the Board of Supervisors, and shall present such required insurance to the Director of Airports prior to the operation of such aircraft.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

(a) The owners of all aircraft based on the airports shall register their aircraft with the Director of Airports or his representative within five days of arrival and shall inform him of any changes in the ownership within five days thereof.

(b) Each commercial operator shall submit a list of aircraft based in his/her area, including the owner's name, address, telephone number, aircraft make, model and registration number. On the first day of each month, a report of newly based or departed aircraft shall be submitted to the Director of Airports.

(c) Persons desiring to operate aircraft on a daily basis (trailering on airport) shall obtain a permit from the Director and be subject to daily fees and insurance requirements as required by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

Each person who holds a pilot certificate, flight instructor certificate, authorization, or license shall display it upon request of the Director of Airports or his authorized representative, an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board, or any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

(a) Participants in any accident or damage to an aircraft occurring at the airport shall promptly make a full report of such damage or accident to the nearest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety officer and to the Director of Airports or authorized representative. Aircraft operators, owners, or their agents shall be responsible for, and shall cooperate and assist in, the prompt removal of damaged aircraft, parts, property or debris resulting from any accident.

(b) The Director of Airports may order the removal of any wrecked or damaged aircraft from the runway, taxiway, or other operating area on the airport and render a bill to the aircraft owner for such services. In cases of damage to airport property, the costs of repair shall be charged to the owner of the aircraft. The County will be held harmless for subsequent damages incurred by the removal of wrecked or damaged aircraft.

(c) No person shall go to the scene of an accident and impede in any manner emergency personnel in the performance of their duties.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

If it is deemed necessary for operational safety, maintenance or project considerations, the Director may direct the operator, owner or pilot of any aircraft on the airport to move the aircraft from the place where it is parked or stored to any other place designated on the airport. If the Director is unable to obtain authorization from the operator, owner or pilot, he may direct the towing of the aircraft to such place at operators or owner's expense and without liability for damage resulting from such towing.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

No person shall park any aircraft in any area not designated for such purpose without prior consent of the Director of Airports.

(a) Parked aircraft shall have parking brakes set or wheels properly blocked to prevent movement and shall be secured to the ground by rope or other means when left unattended.

(b) No person shall leave an aircraft unattended while the engine of such aircraft is running.

(c) No aircraft shall be parked within fifty (50) feet of any fuel storage facility.

(d) No aircraft shall be parked within any fire lane, gate, or fifteen (15) feet of any hydrant.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

An abandoned aircraft shall be subject to removal by the Director of Airports at the owner's expense.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

The Director of Airports may take into custody any abandoned or unauthorized aircraft or property in such aircraft and retain custody thereof until claimed by the lawful owner or owners who shall pay all expenses incurred thereby the Director.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

No person shall, except in emergency, land or take off from the airport in an aircraft equipped with a tail skid in place of tail wheel.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

(a) No person shall attempt to start an aircraft engine unless a qualified individual is at the controls and the aircraft is properly secured. In the case of hand starting, the brake is set, chocks are properly placed, and the aircraft is secured to the ground in a manner approved in writing by the Director of Airports.

(b) No person shall start or run up any aircraft engine in any hangar.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

(a) Experimental aircraft based on the County airports shall be registered with the Director of Airports or his designated representative within five days of arrival on the airport.

(b) Experimental aircraft classified as Research and Development (R&D) by FAA will not be permitted to operate on the airports without obtaining authorization from the Board of Supervisors. A request for authorization will contain the following information which shall specify conditions for operating, testing the flight pattern, test pilots, pilot qualifications and experience, insurance with the County as coinsured, special services needed or desired from airport staff and any other pertinent information as may be necessary.

(c) Turbojet powered experimental aircraft, shall not operate on the County Airports without authorization from the Director of Airports.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

No person shall do business as a flight instructor or give flight instruction for compensation except in compliance with the following requirements:

(a) The instructor shall register with the Director of Airports, demonstrate that he/she has a valid and current flight instructors certificate issued from the FAA and, except for employees of lessees authorized to conduct such operations, comply with the airports current Minimum Aeronautical Activity permit.

(b) All persons instructing or checking out pilots in flying at the airports shall fully inform the pilots of the recommended noise abatement procedures.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

No person shall do business as an aircraft mechanic or maintain or repair the aircraft of another person for compensation except in compliance with the following:

(a) The mechanic shall register with the Director of Airports, demonstrate that he/she has a valid and current certificate issued by the FAA, except for employees of lessees authorized to conduct such operations, comply with the airports current Minimum Aeronautical Standards and obtain a commercial activity permit.

(b) An aircraft owner may perform work on his/her own aircraft (consistent with FAA regulations) as follows:

(1) Tie-down Area—No repairs or maintenance may be performed in the tie-down areas except those necessary for pre-flight and all necessary work, in an emergency, to move the aircraft to a work area. With written permission of the Director, limited repair and maintenance may be performed provided the area is kept neat, clean and picked up. Painting, oil changes or personal washing of aircraft is not allowed.

(2) Aircraft Storage Hangars—Owner maintenance (as defined by FAA) may be accomplished in storage hangars with the exception of major doping, painting, or any work involving the use of flammable liquids, welding, open flame, or creating a hazardous condition.

(3) Aircraft Work Area (Washrack)—Unlimited, except that aircraft doping and painting is not allowed in these facilities pursuant to State Fire Code and Air Pollution Control District Regulations.

(c) An aircraft owner may contract to have the above work performed on his aircraft if the mechanic (etc.) has a valid lease, license, or permit(s). Such work shall be accomplished in the aircraft owner's storage space as provided above, lessee's leasehold or in the aircraft work area.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

All aircraft hangars shall be used only for the storage of aircraft and necessary supplies for preventative maintenance. No person shall store or stock material or equipment so as to constitute a fire hazard.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

Shall be adopted by the Board of Supervisors in the published rate and fee schedule.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

(a) All profit making clubs are considered to be commercial operators and shall not be based at the airports unless a permit and lease have been obtained from the Director of Airports.

(b) All nonprofit flying clubs shall be registered and file a copy of their organization papers with the Director of Airports.

(c) All flying clubs shall carry insurance in an amount and type set by the Board of Supervisors. Members of flying clubs shall each have reasonable and proportionate ownership in clubs airplanes and equipment.

(d) No club shall solicit for the purpose of instruction any person on the premises of a commercial operator without the written permission of said operator on file with the Director of Airports.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)

The airport shall be open for public use at all reasonable hours of the day and night, subject to the following restrictions:

(a) The Director of Airports may close the airports because of conditions of the landing area, necessary maintenance, the presentation of special events, and similar causes.

(b) No aircraft shall depart from the Camarillo Airport between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m., unless specific authorization is obtained from the Director of Airports, or except in the case of a medical or public safety emergency.

(Am. Ord. 4342—3/21/06)