This chapter is enacted to protect the health, safety and peace, and to promote the welfare and convenience of the general public using the Colusa County Airport, or affected by activities related to the airport by providing for the orderly conduct of activities on, or related to, the airport. (Ord. No. 388, § 5.)

30-3 Applicability.

This chapter applies equally to every user of the Colusa County Airport. (Ord. No. 388, § 2.)

30-4 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions and meanings shall apply unless otherwise specified:

A. Air carrier. “Air carrier” means any person who undertakes directly, by lease, or other arrangement, to engage in air transportation of persons or things. They operate, in various categories, under authority or certifications by the UPS Civil Aeronautics Board and or California Public Utilities Commission. Categories include certificated route air carriers, trunk carriers, flag carriers, local service carriers, all-cargo carriers, helicopter carriers, commercial air operators, air taxi operators, and charter air carriers.

B. Aircraft. “Aircraft” means a device that is used, or intended to be used, for flight in the air. It includes airplanes, helicopters and gliders and lighter-than-air devices such as blimps or balloons, but does not include hang gliders.

C. Airport. “Airport” means the Colusa County Airport, its buildings and facilities, all lands owned by the county of Colusa contiguous to the airport, including airspace above such land and the designated approaches thereto.

D. Airport caretaker. “Airport caretaker” means the person employed at the airport and responsible for the day to day operation under the supervision of the airport manager.

E. Airport manager. “Airport manager” means the airport manager as appointed by the Colusa County board of supervisors.

F. Air traffic. “Air traffic” means aircraft operating in the air or on an airport surface, exclusive of loading ramps or parking areas.

G. Air traffic clearance. “Air traffic clearance” means an authorization issued by air traffic control personnel for an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace.

H. Auto rotation. “Auto rotation” means a rotorcraft flight condition in which the lifting rotor is driven entirely by action of the air when the rotorcraft (helicopter) is in motion.

I. Balloons. “Balloon” means a lighter-than-air aircraft which is not engine driven.

J. Ceiling. “Ceiling” means the height above the earth’s surface of the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena that is reported as “broken,” “overcast” or “obscuration,” and is not classified “thin” or “partial.”

K. Commercial operator. “Commercial operator” means any person who, for compensation or hire, engages in the carriage of persons, property or mail in air commerce, or engages in other aerial activity such as flight instruction, aerial photography, fire fighting, agricultural aviation activities, traffic surveillance.

L. Commercial operations. “Commercial operations” means use of the Colusa County Airport for revenue-producing commercial activities.

M. County. “County” means the county of Colusa.

N. Fixed base operator. “Fixed base operator” means any person who rents, leases, or owns facilities located on the Colusa County Airport, who by virtue of his specific type of aviation (or aviation-related) activity, requires the occupancy of a site with contiguous aircraft apron and direct access to the aircraft operation areas and who engages in a business activity providing aviation sales or services, including, but not limited to any of the following:

1. Selling and/or servicing new and used aircraft and component parts;

2. Aircraft maintenance and repairs;

3. Sales and/or repair of avionics;

4. Aviation training including ground or flight instruction;

5. Aerial photography;

6. Air ambulance service;

7. Aircraft agricultural operations, crop-dusting, spraying, or the application of seed, fertilizers, pesticides, defoliants, etc; and

8. Aircraft rental, charter, leasing.

O. Flight visibility. “Flight visibility” means the average forward horizontal distance from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight, at which prominent unlighted objects may be seen and identified by night.

P. Glider. “Glider” means a fixed wing aircraft that is heavier than air and supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces and whose free flight does not depend principally on an engine or motor.

Q. Ground visibility. “Ground visibility” means prevailing horizontal visibility near the earth’s surface.

R. Helicopter. “Helicopter” means a rotor-driven aircraft (rotorcraft) that for its horizontal motion, depends preliminary on its engine-driven rotors.

S. IFR. “IFR” means instrument flight rules covering meteorological conditions below the minimums for flight under visual (VFR) conditions.

T. Maintenance. “Maintenance” means inspection, overhaul, repair, preservation, and the replacement of parts, but excludes preventive maintenance.

U. Maximum gross landing weight. “Maximum gross landing weight” means the maximum landing weight stipulated for a particular aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

V. Night. “Night” means the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight as published in the American Air Almanac, converted to local time.

W. Person. “Person” means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or governmental entity, and includes a trustee, received, assignee, or similar representative of any of them.

X. Ramp/apron. “Ramp/apron” means a paved area where aircraft are fueled; loaded and off loaded; and parked and tied down.

Y. Runway. “Runway” means an area for landing and taking off of aircraft.

Z. Taxiway. “Taxiway” means an area for the ground movement of aircraft.

AA. Tie down. “Tie down” means an unenclosed space where an aircraft may be tied down with suitable chains or other devices to prevent its unintentional movement.

BB. Traffic pattern. “Traffic pattern” means the traffic flow that is prescribed for aircraft landing at, or taking off from, the Colusa County Airport.

CC. Transient aircraft. “Transient aircraft” means any aircraft parked or stored on the airport for less than thirty days.

DD. VFR. “VFR” means visual flight rules covering meteorological conditions, above those requiring flight under IFR conditions.

EE. Word construction. The following construction applies throughout this chapter:

1. Words importing the singular include the plural;

2. Words importing the plural include the singular; and

3. Words importing the masculine gender include the feminine. (Ord. No. 388, § 4; Ord. No. 593, § 1.)

30-5 Administration and use of airport rules and regulations.

A. Management. It shall be the responsibility of the Colusa County board of supervisors to fairly and impartially administer the Colusa County Airport rules and regulations.

B. Users. It shall be the responsibility of every user of the Colusa County Airport, pilot or other, to become familiar with the Colusa County Airport rules and regulations and to obey those rules and regulations. A copy will be maintained current to reflect any amendments and will be posted at the office of the Colusa County Airport. Additional copies will be provided by the county clerk to any user of the airport who requests such copy. (Ord. No. 388, § 3.)

30-6 Hours of operation.

The Colusa County Airport shall be open for public use at all hours of the day and night, subject to any restrictions imposed by the board of supervisors due to inclement weather, the condition of the landing area, the presentation of special events, construction or repair activities, or similar causes. (Ord. No. 388, § 9.)

30-7 Closure of airport or suspension of operations.

The board of supervisors may close the airport, or portions thereof, or suspend operations related to the landing, takeoff, or taxiing of aircraft during any period in which they determine that such operations, or their continuance, would be hazardous. Causes for such closure could include, but would not be limited to, adverse weather conditions, runway maintenance or repairs, runway obstacles, fire, aircraft or other accident. Any such closure shall be effective only during such time as there is placed at each end of each runway so closed, a letter X, the arms of which are at least twenty feet long and two feet wide, and so colored as to contrast with the background or other surface. The airport manager shall immediately notify the local FAA facility and issue a notice to airmen (NOTAM), advising of the closure. (Ord. No. 388, § 30.)

30-8 Permit required for revenue-producing commercial activities.

No person shall utilize the Colusa County Airport for any revenue-producing commercial activities without first obtaining a permit from the board of supervisors for such activities and paying the fees and charges established for such use. The board of supervisors shall establish, and maintain available for examination upon request, a schedule of fees and charges for the use of the airport and its facilities. Any aircraft owner who fails to pay any fee duly charged for aircraft owned or controlled by him shall have such aircraft subject to impounding until the fees are paid, along with any impound fees, or until the aircraft is sold for charges. (Ord. No. 388, § 7.)

30-9 Registration of aircraft stored or based at airport – User obligation.

Any person desiring to store or base his aircraft at the Colusa County Airport shall register his aircraft at the Colusa County Airport office prior to beginning such storage or operations, and at any time that a change in ownership occurs. The use of the airport or any of its facilities in any manner shall create an obligation on the part of the user to obey all of the rules and regulations herein provided. (Ord. No. 388, § 6.)

30-10 Liability insurance for aircraft based at airport.

Each aircraft based at the Colusa County Airport must be covered by bodily injury liability insurance with a minimum limit of one hundred thousand dollars per person, three hundred thousand dollars per incident. (Ord. No. 388, § 28.)

30-11 Storage and parking of aircraft.

Aircraft shall only be stored or parked at places designated by the board of supervisors and such storage or parking shall be at the sole risk of the owner or operator of the aircraft and without any responsibility of the Colusa County Airport, the county, or any of its officers or employees, for any loss of, or damage to, the aircraft while so stored or parked. The owner or operator of the aircraft shall be responsible for the tying down and securing of his aircraft. He shall likewise be responsible for any liability arising from or caused by his aircraft or his activities. Transient aircraft shall only be parked in the area designated by the airport manager or his assistant. (Ord. No. 388, § 8.)

30-12 Unattended aircraft.

No aircraft shall be left unattended on the airport unless properly secured or within a hangar. Owners of aircraft left so unattended shall be liable for damage to other aircraft or property resulting from the failure to adequately secure or tie down the aircraft. (Ord. No. 388, § 10.)

30-13 Traffic pattern.

Except where the board of supervisors has delegated authority for air traffic control to FAA Air Traffic Control personnel, every aircraft before landing and takeoff shall be flown in accordance with the traffic pattern established by board of supervisors resolution. (Ord. No. 388, § 22.)

30-14 Operating regulations generally.

A. No aeronautical activity shall be conducted at the Colusa County Airport except in conformance with current Federal Air Regulations, state of California law and regulations, and this chapter.

B. All initial takeoffs shall commence at the end of the runway.

C. Touch-and-go landings shall be in accordance with federal, state and county regulations, laws and this chapter.

D. The following aircraft are restricted from operating at the Colusa County Airport except in emergency situations:

1. Aircraft over twelve thousand pounds gross weight.

2. Gliders, hot air balloons or hang gliders. (Ord. No. 388, § 23; Ord. No. 593, § 2.)

30-15 Unnecessary noise prohibited.

No person shall operate any aircraft in flight or on the ground in such a manner as to cause unnecessary noise as determined by applicable federal or state or local laws and regulations. (Ord. No. 388, § 14.)

30-16 Starting aircraft engines.

No person shall start any aircraft engine on the Colusa County Airport:

A. Unless a competent operator is at the controls; and

B. Unless the aircraft is equipped with adequate brakes fully applied or the wheels are securely blocked with blocks or chocks that can be removed safely; and/or

C. When the aircraft is in such a position that the propeller slipstream or jet blast can cause damage to, or interfere with the operation of, other aircraft, vehicles, mobile equipment, hangars, shops, other buildings, or can cause injury to passenger, spectators, or other personnel. (Ord. No. 388, § 18.)

30-17 Taxiing or moving aircraft.

No person shall taxi any aircraft into, out of, or within any hangar or other building on or adjacent to the airport. Nor shall any person move any aircraft under its own power on the airport unless he is in full control of such aircraft, and has assured himself that there is no danger of collision with other aircraft, vehicles, equipment, buildings, or other obstacles. Aircraft shall be taxied at a safe speed, not to exceed fifteen miles per hour. (Ord. No. 388, § 19.)

30-18 Maintenance of aircraft or vehicle.

Unless otherwise authorized by the board of supervisors, no aircraft or vehicle maintenance (other than required to remove damaged aircraft from the runway(s) or taxiway(s), or replacing a flat tire) shall be performed on the Colusa County Airport except in areas specifically designated by the board of supervisors for that purpose. Engine runups not incidental to takeoff or landing shall not be conducted between the hours of six p.m. to seven-thirty a.m. (Ord. No. 388, § 11.)

30-19 Aircraft equipped with a tailskid.

No aircraft equipped with a tailskid shall operate on any paved surface of the Colusa County Airport. (Ord. No. 388, § 12.)

30-20 Fueling or defueling of aircraft.

A. No aircraft shall be fueled or refueled while the aircraft engine is running or while the aircraft is in a hangar or other enclosed space.

B. In the case of agricultural aircraft, refueling may be performed with the engine running with the operator’s own equipment under their direct control.

C. No smoking shall be permitted within fifty feet of the aircraft or fuel truck while the aircraft is being fueled or refueled.

D. During fuel handling, no passenger shall be permitted in or on the aircraft unless a cabin attendant is stationed at or near the cabin door.

E. All hoses, funnels and appurtenances used in fueling or refueling activities shall be equipped properly with a grounding device to prevent possible static ignition of volatile liquids. Such grounding devices shall be used during all fueling and refueling activities.

F. During fuel handling activities, no person shall operate any radio transmitter or receiver, nor switch electrical appliances on or off in such aircraft, or in the immediate vicinity (fifty feet) thereof.

G. Every person engaged in aircraft fuel handling shall exercise due care to prevent the overflow or spilling of fuel.

H. During fuel handling, no person shall use any material or device which is likely to cause a static spark, within fifty feet of such aircraft or fuel truck.

I. Where there has been a fuel spill or leak, no person shall start the engine of any aircraft in close proximity until the spill or leak has been washed away. In event of such spills or leaks, the airport manager shall be notified.

J. Fuel hoses and draining or refueling equipment shall be maintained in a safe, sound, and nonleaking condition. (Ord. No. 388, § 24; Ord. No. 593, § 3.)

30-21 Fuel sales.

No person shall deliver aviation fuels or lubricants to, or dispense such fuel from, at, or upon the airport without a permit from the board of supervisors. For the right, privilege and concession of making deliveries of all types of aviation fuels and lubricants, and other fuels, to any person or location at or upon the airport, other than to a central fuel service stand provided by the airport. This provision does not apply to employees of the county of Colusa. No fuel shall be stored anywhere on the airport except in underground tanks, or such other tanks as may be approved by the fire chief. (Ord. No. 388, § 27.)

30-22 Accidents.

Every person involved in, or witnessing an aircraft accident on the airport shall report promptly the details of such accident to the airport manager, to the FAA, and to local law enforcement personnel, as required by law. In addition, the pilot or aircraft owner shall report fully to the California Division of Aeronautics the details on any accident in which there is death or injury, or in which damage to the property of others exceeds four hundred dollars. The owner and/or pilot of an aircraft which is damaged in an accident, or wrecked, shall be responsible for the prompt removal of the aircraft as directed by the airport manager. Where the pilot or owner is unable to arrange for removal of such disabled or wrecked aircraft, the airport manager, shall have the authority to move, or arrange the removal of, the aircraft when released (if applicable) by the FAA or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). No liability shall be incurred by the airport manager, or others for damage aggravated by, or resulting from, such removal. (Ord. No. 388, § 13; Ord. No. 593, § 4.)

30-23 Restricted areas.

No person shall enter any restricted area which is posted or closed to the public except (a) persons duly authorized by the board of supervisors, or (b) law enforcement or firefighting personnel. (Ord. No. 388, § 15.)

30-24 Entry upon runway, runway enclosure or airport.

No person shall enter upon any runway, or runway enclosure, or the Colusa County Airport, except in an aircraft, without the express consent of the board of supervisors or its designated representative. (Ord. No. 388, § 17.)

30-25 Vehicle and traffic operations.

A. No person shall travel on any portion of the airport except upon the roads, walks, or places provided for the particular class of traffic, nor occupy the roads or walks in such manner as to hinder or obstruct their proper use.

B. Motor-vehicle traffic shall yield the right-of-way to aircraft.

C. Every vehicle operating within, in, or on the runways, taxiways, ramps or aircraft parking or tiedown areas shall be painted, marked, or lighted as directed by the airport manager, and/or shall display an orange and white checkered flag not less than three feet square.

D. Any accident, involving a motor vehicle, which results in a fatality or injury, or in property damage shall be reported by the driver to the airport manager immediately.

E. No person shall operate any motor vehicle on the airport in excess of twenty miles per hour (except emergency vehicles responding to an emergency situation). On passenger loading ramps, in aircraft parking lots, and in areas immediately adjacent to hangars, speed shall not exceed ten miles per hour. The speed limit on the airport access road from highway shall be twenty-five miles per hour.

F. Vehicles shall not be parked on the airport other than in the manner and locations indicated by posted traffic signs and markings. Aircraft operators with designated aircraft parking areas may park their motor vehicle in the area designated for their aircraft as long as the vehicle does not pose an obstruction to other aircraft.

G. Vehicles that are to be left unattended may be parked only in designated airport vehicle parking lots. All unattended vehicles parked at the airport shall be currently licensed, in an operable condition, registered with the airport caretaker and have all parking fees, if any, paid in advance.

H. Vehicles parked other than specified in subsections F and G above, may be moved by airport personnel, and in such event a towing charge will be levied prior to releasing the vehicle from impound. No liability for damages sustained by such vehicles during said movement will be assumed by the county of Colusa or any of its officers or employees.

I. Motor vehicles shall not be driven on or across runways or other portions of aircraft operating areas without clearance from the airport manager. Exceptions may be granted during maintenance activities as long as two-way communications control is maintained with at least one vehicle controlling the activity.

J. Motor vehicles shall not be driven or parked upon or within fifty feet of aircraft parking areas, ramp areas, or aprons without express approval of the airport manager. Exceptions: airport maintenance or emergency vehicles, or fuel or service vehicles.

K. No person may operate a motor vehicle or aircraft in or on any portion of the airport while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. (Ord. No. 388, § 25; Ord. No. 593, § 5.)

30-26 Fire prevention regulations.

A. No person shall light or smoke any cigarette, cigar, pipe, or similar object in the following airport areas:

1. Within any closed hangar or fuel handling or storage area;

2. Within fifty feet of any “No Smoking” sign posted.

B. No person may use flammable liquids, solvents, or substances to clean any aircraft, engine, part, or accessory thereof, within any hangar or building except a building specially designed for that purpose and approved in writing by the airport manager. Such approval shall only be granted when the board of supervisors approves the ventilation provisions, fireproofing and fire extinguishing equipment.

C. No person shall light or use any open flame for any purpose in any hangar or other building on the airport without the prior written consent of the board of supervisors.

D. No person shall operate any electric or gas welding or cutting equipment anywhere on the airport without prior written approval of the Colusa rural fire department.

E. No person shall clean or decrease any aircraft or part thereof except at or in a maintenance station properly equipped for such purposes, or in a space designated or authorized by the airport manager.

F. No person shall store or stock any material or substance, or permit such activities in or on the airport in such a manner, or of such nature, as to constitute a fire hazard and no person shall keep, store or discard any flammable liquid, gas, signal flare, or other flammable material in any hangar, strop, building, room, enclosure, or other place on the airport except in areas specially designated by the board of supervisors for such purpose.

G. Lessees of hangars, shops, or other airport areas shall provide suitable metal receptacles with hinged lids for the storage of oily waste, rags, and other similar rubbish. All such materials shall be removed by the lessee at frequent intervals.

H. Every lessee shall maintain his leased area clean and reasonably free of oil, grease, waste, other flammable materials and weeds.

I. Lessees shall provide, and maintain in proper working order, adequate and readily accessible fire extinguishers. Each such extinguisher shall bear a suitable tag which indicates the most recent date of inspection or servicing. Extinguishers shall be approved by the Colusa rural fire department. (Ord. No. 388, § 26; Ord. No. 593, § 6.)

30-27 Firearms.

No person shall shoot any projectile from a firearm or other device, into, on or across any portion of the airport, nor have in his possession, or under his control, any firearm which is not unloaded and securely wrapped and boxed for shipment, or explosive or explosive device; provided, however, that this section does not apply to peace officers or military personnel who are acting in the performance of their duties as such. (Ord. No. 388, § 21.)

30-28 Animals.

No person shall wilfully and knowingly permit any animal owned, possessed, or harbored by him to enter the airport unless the animal is leashed or restricted in such manner as to be under control, or is in a shipping container, or is otherwise under physical restraint. (Ord. No. 388, § 16; Ord. No. 593, § 7.)

30-29 Dumping refuse.

No person shall place, deposit, or dump any garbage, cans, bottles, papers, ashes, sewage, carcass of any dead animal, offal, trash, rubbish, debris, or any other refuse in any location on the airport except in containers plainly marked for such purposes. (Ord. No. 388, § 20.)

30-30 Prohibited activities.

No person shall:

A. Take or use any aircraft, aircraft parts, instruments, or tools pertaining thereto, which are owned, controlled, or operated by any other person, while such aircraft, parts, instruments, or tools are stored or otherwise left on the Colusa County Airport, or within its hangars, buildings, or facilities, without the written consent of the owner/operator thereof, except upon satisfactory evidence of the right to do so duly presented to the board of supervisors, or authorized by them, or so ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

B. Land, takeoff, taxi, or otherwise operate any aircraft on, at, or from the Colusa County Airport when he knows such aircraft is not operating properly, or is equipped with any art or safety device which is defective or unsafe. Deviations from this restriction shall only be permitted by specific authorization from the board of supervisors or their designated representative. Nor shall any aircraft be operated on or at the airport, or on any runway thereof, when the airport or runway has been closed to traffic by the board of supervisors or other legal authority, and such closure has been indicated by the placement of an X at each end of the closed runway.

C. Operate any aircraft on, at, or in the vicinity (3 statute miles) of the Colusa County Airport in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, whether his own or that of others.

D. Engage in the performance of any aerobatics, stunt, maneuver, not necessary to a normal takeoff, landing, normal turn or level flight of the aircraft, over or within one of the exterior boundaries of the airport.

E. Engage in the sale of any goods, wares, merchandise, or services at or upon the airport without first having secured from the board of supervisors a permit therefor, and paying any required fees for such permit.

F. Pesticides and Fertilizers.

1. Except as otherwise set forth in this section, the mixing and loading of pesticides and fertilizers and the washing and rinsing of all equipment used in the mixing, loading and application of pesticides and fertilizers is prohibited upon any airport property belonging to the county of Colusa.

2. Exceptions. Subsection (F)(1) of this section shall not apply to the following:

a. The washing and rinsing of the interior and exterior of all aircraft and related equipment used in the application of pesticides and fertilizer upon Regional Water Quality Control Board approved washpad and collection facilities;

b. The mixing and loading of pesticides and fertilizers performed in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by Resolution 90-034 by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region.

3. The pesticide and/or fertilizer applicator and owner shall be deemed responsible for any adverse environmental or health consequences or damages established by a court of appropriate jurisdiction to have originated from the activities of said applicator, whether or not California Regional Water Quality Control Board approved washpad and collection facilities are employed in the mixing, loading, washing and/or rinsing activity.

4. Any person, whether principal, agent, employee or otherwise, who knowingly or wilfully violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars and not more than six months in the county jail.

G. In addition, violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be cause for immediate revocation and/or termination applicator is deemed responsible from any environmental degradation as defined in subsection (F)(3) of this section, the applicator shall be responsible for mitigating this environmental degradation. For purposes of this section, each incident shall be considered a separate violation and shall be ordained as such without consideration or jeopardy to any other violation and shall provide its own penalty and mitigation remedy. The applicator shall develop a mitigation plan including remedial efforts in conjunction with the appropriate state and federal agencies. The applicator shall use due diligence in carrying out this mitigation plan. (Ord. No. 388, § 29; Ord. No. 572, § 3.)

30-31 Fees.

Fees shall be adopted by the board of supervisors by resolution for the following, but not limited to, activities:

A. Hangar lease;

B. Aircraft tie-down, both short-term (less than thirty days) and long-term (over thirty days). (Ord. No. 585, § 1.)

Chapter 30COLUSA COUNTY AIRPORT

30-1 Short title.

30-2 Purpose.