§ 3-31. Rules and regulations for use of the airport.

(a) Creation of rules All users or visitors at the facilities of the Lake Wales Airport shall be subject to the following rules:

(1) Ground rules.

a. Runways.

1. No vehicle shall be allowed within one hundred twenty-five (125) feet of a runway with the following exceptions:

i. Emergency vehicles responding to an emergency;

ii. Law enforcement vehicles in the performance of necessary duties;

iii. Maintenance vehicles in performance of necessary duties;

iv. One (1) tow vehicle at any one (1) time to remove sailplanes or disabled aircraft from the runway;

v. A maximum of three (3) vehicles may be used in sailplane operation, of which, one (1) at a time may be used within one hundred twenty-five (125) feet of a runway.

2. All aircraft shall remain at least fifty (50) feet from the runway edge unless immediately departing the runway.

3. Aircraft operating on an approved (F.A.A.) taxiway should use the hold line painted on the taxiway as the divider between the taxiway and runway.

b. Taxiways. Vehicle traffic on taxiways is prohibited, with the following exceptions:

1. Vehicles authorized to operate on a runway as stated in subsection (a)(1)a. of this section;

2. Authorized vehicles shall maintain a speed of not more than ten (10) miles per hour, unless responding to an emergency situation.

c. Vehicle identification. Vehicles authorized to operate on a runway or taxiway shall display an operating yellow or amber flashing strobe or revolving light of not less than thirty thousand (30,000) candlepower. Emergency vehicles shall operate the appropriate emergency lights used by that agency.

d. T-hangar area. Aircraft owners, maintenance personnel and pilots shall be allowed to operate in the aircraft hangar area for the purpose of aircraft maintenance, or the loading or unloading of aircraft, providing:

1. Only one (1) vehicle shall be allowed per hangar at any one (1) time.

2. No vehicle shall be parked on a taxiway, or otherwise block a taxiway, or impede aircraft operations.

3. No vehicle shall remain outside a hangar, unattended.

e. Tie-down and ramp areas. Vehicles are prohibited in the tie-down and ramp areas of the airport except in the following instances:

1. Aircraft owners and pilots may operate a vehicle in these areas to load, unload, or provide maintenance for an aircraft.

2. No vehicle shall remain in the tie-down or ramp area unattended. All vehicles shall operate at a speed not to exceed ten (10) miles per hour.

f. Security area. No vehicle shall remain inside the fenced security area of the airport, unattended, with the following exceptions: Vehicle parking areas designated by the city.

g. Generally.

1. All authorized vehicles operating within the fenced security area of the airport shall not exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour, with extreme emergencies being the exception.

2. All vehicle security gates shall remain closed and locked at all times except for the immediate ingress and egress of authorized vehicles.

3. Vehicles authorized to operate within the security (fenced) area of the airport must ingress and egress through the nearest vehicle access gate. Vehicles must not be driven from one (1) side of the airport to the other inside the security area, except in extreme emergencies. Vehicles should leave the security area through the nearest gate and re-enter the nearest gate to their destination.

4. All aircraft using the Lake Wales Airport are to be operated in accordance with the applicable Federal Aviation Agency's rules and regulations.

(2) Air safety rules.

a. Taxiing rules.

1. No person shall taxi an aircraft until he has ascertained there will be no danger of collision with any person or object in the immediate area.

2. Aircraft not equipped with brakes shall have an attendant at a wing when the aircraft is taxied near buildings or other aircraft.

3. All aircraft shall be taxied at a safe and reasonable speed with due regard for other aircraft, persons, and property.

4. Aircraft awaiting takeoff shall stop at least fifty (50) feet from the runway in use and in a position so as to have a direct view of aircraft approaching for landing.

5. Aircraft taxiing shall conform to the attached taxi patterns, which are made a supplement to these rules.

b. Traffic rules.

1. Landings and takeoffs shall be made directly into the wind or on the runway or landing strip most nearly aligned with the wind, or when the wind is light or calm, in a direction designated by the pilot on the unicom frequency.

2. No landing or takeoff shall be made except at a safe distance from buildings and other aircraft.

3. No turn shall be made after takeoff until the airport boundary has been reached and the aircraft has attained an altitude of at least four hundred (400) feet and it has been ascertained there will be no danger of collision with other aircraft.

4. Aircraft intending to remain in the traffic pattern shall continue to climb to traffic altitude of eight hundred (800) feet AGL (above ground level) after the first ninety (90) degree turn and shall thereafter follow the pattern as set forth on the traffic pattern chart. A copy of such chart may be found on file in the office of the city clerk.

5. Aircraft entering the traffic pattern shall exercise caution and courtesy so as not to cause aircraft already in the pattern to deviate from their course.

6. Aircraft landing or taking off shall conform to the air traffic patterns posted in the pilot's lounge at the airport.

(b) Penalty for violation. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the rules listed in this section. The penalty for such violation shall be as provided in section 1-15 of this Code.

(Code 1962, § 2½-8; Ord. No. 89-12, § 2, 6-6-89; Ord. No. 96-02, § 2, 3-5-96)