§ 1200-031. CERTAIN AIRCRAFT PROHIBITED

Because of the hazard posed to pilots, aircraft, and other users of the county airports by small, underpowered aircraft which are not capable of executing effective evasive maneuvers and because of the additional hazard posed by operation of aircraft by unlicensed personnel and because of the additional safety hazards presented by the operation of non-airworthy aircraft from county airports, and pursuant to the authority set forth in the Public Utilities Code, particularly § 21403(c) setting forth each pilot's right of safe access to public airports, it shall be unlawful for any aircraft to take off from any airport owned or operated by the County of Sutter unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)

The aircraft is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration and displays its registration number;

(b)

The aircraft is the subject of and displays an appropriate and current airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration;

(c)

The operator of the aircraft has a current and valid pilot's certificate and medical certificate as required by current Federal statutes and regulations;

(d)

The weight of the aircraft fully fueled but without passengers or freight is greater than 200 pounds;

(e)

The aircraft is equipped with an engine whose rated horsepower is greater than 55;

(f)

The aircraft has a maximum air speed capability for sustained level flight in excess of 45 miles per hour.

"Aircraft" as used in this section means a device used or intended to be used for flight in the air which is engine driven, fixed wing, heavier than air, and is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.

(Ord. 851, Sec. 1; Sept. 8, 1981)