CHAPTER 3A*
AIRCRAFT

Sections:

3A.1    Repealed by Ordinance No. 1983.

3A.2    Helicopters and heliports.

3A.3    Repealed by Ordinance No. 1983.

3A.4    Parachuting from aircraft.

3A.5    Repealed by Ordinance No. 1983.

*    Editor’s Note—The original ordinance designated this chapter as chapter 17 1/2. It has been changed here to conform to the alphabetical arrangements of chapters.

3A.1 Repealed by Ordinance No. 1983.

3A.2 Helicopters and heliports.

As an exception to the preceding section, helicopters may be flown at less than the prescribed minimum and may land or take off at places of landing within the city previously designated in writing as such for temporary or permanent use by the city manager, provided, that such operations are conducted within the commercial zone and without hazard to persons or property on the surface or to other aircraft and without undue interference with the use of property on the surface and at an altitude which will permit landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface; and provided, further, that the following regulations and limitations are met:

A.    Use. Use of such facilities is limited to the loading and unloading of passengers or freight.

B.    Maintenance. The refueling or repairing of helicopters is prohibited except in an emergency.

C.    General.

1.    The helicopter landing facility shall be located in an area that will permit a glide slope angle of eight feet horizontal distance for every one foot vertical clearance required. Two such approaches shall be available, at least ninety degrees removed from each other.

2.    On all touch-down or landing areas, whether elevated or flush with the roof, provision shall be made for collecting fuel which may be spilled in event of any emergency. Separator or clarifier tanks for collecting spilled fuel shall be installed under approval and supervision of the fire prevention bureau and building department. Tanks shall be installed at ground level and shall be in good working condition.

3.    The touchdown area shall be surrounded on all sides by a clear roof area averaging fifteen feet in width but with no side less than five feet wide. For helicopters of less than thirty-five hundred pounds gross weight the touchdown area shall be a minimum twenty feet by twenty feet in size. The minimum size of the touchdown area for helicopters over thirty-five hundred pounds gross weight shall be at least one one-half times the rotor diameter.

4.    If the roof has no parapet wall, a substantial fence shall be provided around the perimeter of the roof.

5.    A wind indicating device shall be installed. A flag, banner or any other device is acceptable.

6.    The rooftop shall be marked as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Agency.

D.    Fire Protection.

1.    Two or more wet standpipes shall be provided and equipped with one and one-half inch rubber lined fire hose not over seventy-five feet in length. Hose shall be equipped with combination fog nozzles. Sufficient pressure shall be available to afford a good fog pattern. Hose cabinets or racks shall be located near the separate exits. Standpipes shall be so located that all portions of the roof area shall be accessible to within twenty feet of the nozzle when attached to not more than seventy-five feet of hose.

2.    Two dry powder type fire extinguishers of at least 16 BC rating shall be provided. If desired, a C02 extinguisher of equal rating may be substituted for one of the dry powder extinguishers.

E.    Exits.

1.    The rooftop shall have two conforming exits, and they shall be remote from each other.

F.    Obstructions.

1.    No light standards, roof vents, guy lines, TV antennas or other similar rooftop obstructions which may be difficult to see from the air shall be permitted within the required glide slope on three sides, or with a two hundred seventy degree arc.

2.    Such lights as are installed shall illuminate and be directed onto the touchdown pad only and in such a manner that the light rays cannot interfere with the helicopter pilot’s vision.

3.    No persons shall be permitted in the general landing area in any location where any portion of their bodies will be higher than the touchdown area surface while landing or takeoff operations are under way.

G.    Communications.

1.    Approved means of communication such as telephone, radio, fire alarm box or signalling device shall be provided adjacent to the land area. (Ord. No. 1376, § 2; Ord. No. 1450, § 1; Ord. No. 1481, § 1.)

3A.3 Repealed by Ordinance No. 1983.

3A.4 Parachuting from aircraft.

It shall be unlawful for any person to jump or leap from an aircraft in a parachute or any other device within the limits of the city, except in the event of imminent danger. (Ord. No. 1376, § 4.)

3A.5 Repealed by Ordinance No. 1983.