University Airport Rules

Last Updated: October 2020

I. PURPOSE

The University is owned and operated by the Regents of the University of California (the “University”), a public corporation established under Section 9, Article IX of the Constitution of the State of California. These Airport Rules are established to protect the health and safety of all persons using the University Airport and to provide for the orderly conduct of the activities on or about the University Airport premises.

 

II.   DEFINITIONS

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III.  PROVISIONS

• A.  Airport Administration
   

  • 1. The Vice Chancellor shall have overall administrative responsibility for policy, fiscal management and physical planning of the Airport.  The Vice Chancellor has been delegated the authority to approve and implement rules and regulations for the Airport including these Rules.
     
  • 2. The University Police Department shall have the primary responsibility for the enforcement of laws applicable to operation of the Airport and the conduct of activities at the Airport.  The University Police Department is appointed pursuant to Education Code Section 92600 with the primary duty to enforce the law on University property and are sworn to enforce the law of the State of California and the rules and regulations of the University of California.
     
  • 3. The University Fire Department shall have the primary responsibility for enforcement at the Airport of all applicable fire and life safety requirements of the California Code of  Regulations, Title 19: Regulations of the State Fire Marshall and Title 24: California Building Standards, and the Uniform Fire Code, as set forth by UCD Policy 390-40: Fire Safety.
     
  • 4. The Executive Director is responsible for administration of the University Airport Rules.
     
  • 5. The Transportation and Parking Administrative Advisory Committee acts in an advisory capacity to the Vice Chancellor regarding Airport needs and provides a communication link between the users of the Airport and the administrators responsible for the provision of the facilities and enforcement of Airport rules.
     
  • 6. All users of Airport facilities, including Airport guests, are responsible for knowing and complying with the University Airport Rules.

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• B. Use of Facilities
   

  • 1. The Executive Director may, at any time, close the Airport, or any portion thereof, to Air Traffic, delay or restrict any flight or other Aircraft operation, or deny the use of the Airport or any portion thereof when necessary to avoid endangering persons or property. Upon approval by the FAA, the Executive Director shall have the right to temporarily close the Airport for special events (e.g. airshows).  In the event the Executive Director believes the condition of the Airport to be unsafe for landings or take offs, it will be within the Executive Director’s authority to issue, or cause to be issued, a Notice to Airmen closing the Airport or any portion thereof as soon as possible.
     
  • 2. Any Person desiring to store or base Aircraft at the University Airport must sign and comply with the University’s Aircraft Storage Permit prior to beginning such storage.
     
  • 3. Commercial Use of the Airport is subject to the Vice Chancellor’s prior approval.
     
  • 4. Only those Aircraft properly secured at a tie-down or within a hangar may be left unattended on Airport property.  Owners of Aircraft shall be liable for damage of any kind, which results from the failure to adequately secure or tie-down an Aircraft.
     
  • 5. Animals, except service animals, are not allowed in Airport buildings.  Any animal entering the Airport must be on a leash.
     
  • 6. In the interest of public safety, all tenants, permittees and personnel authorized and having access to aprons and ramps shall keep same clear of foreign object debris (FOD) by collecting and disposing of debris in covered containers to prevent potential engine intake or damage to Aircraft.  Dumping of refuse of any kind is prohibited on Airport property except in containers marked for such purposes.  
     
  • 7. The consumption of alcoholic beverages on the Airport is prohibited.
     
  • 8. No Person may take still, motion or sound motion pictures or make records or recordings of voices or otherwise at the Airport for commercial purposes without written permission from the Executive Director.  This rule shall not apply to bona fide coverage by news media conducting its business in authorized areas.
     
  • 9. No Person may prevent any other Person from the lawful use and enjoyment of the Airport and its facilities or any part thereof, or prevent any other Person from lawful travel from place-to-place, or through entrances, exits or passageways on the Airport. 
     
  • 10. No Person may commit any disorderly, obscene, or indecent act nor commit any nuisance or abandon property on the Airport.
     
  • 11. No Person may throw, shoot, or propel any object in such a manner as to interfere with or endanger the safe operation of any Aircraft or vehicle at the Airport.
     
  • 12. Unless authorized by subsection (b) of Section 12031 of the Penal Code of the State of the California, the use and possession of firearms on the Airport is prohibited except in the case of police officers or military personnel acting in the performance of their duties.  Other than duly authorized federal, state, and municipal law enforcement personnel, the carrying of firearms on the Airport by watchmen and guards must be approved by the Executive Director.  No Person shall discharge any firearm, weapon or destructive device on the Airport except in the performance of official duties requiring discharge thereof.  No Person shall furnish, give, sell or trade any firearm, weapon, or destructive device on the Airport.

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• C. Operation of Aircraft
   

  • 1. No aeronautical activity shall be conducted at the Airport except in conformance with all applicable federal state and local laws and these University Airport Rules.
     
  • 2. No Person shall operate any Aircraft on the ground in such a manner as to cause unnecessary noise as determined by applicable federal, state or local laws and regulations.
     
  • 3. No Aircraft shall land or takeoff from the Airport unless equipped with a working engine except with the Executive Director’s prior approval.
     
  • 4. Simulated forced landings by students shall be forbidden unless accompanied by a certified instructor.
     
  • 5. 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 premises unless that Person is in full control of such Aircraft, and believes that there is no danger of collision with other Aircraft, vehicles, equipment, buildings or other obstacles. Aircraft shall be taxied at a safe speed under all circumstances with competent, licensed Aircraft operator at the controls and shall taxi at the operator’s discretion.
     
  • 6. With the exception of helicopters, which shall land at the Airport’s heliport area, all takeoffs shall commence at the end of the runway unless otherwise approved by the Executive Director or directed by the FAA.  All Aircraft shall land and take off only on the runway designated by the Executive Director.
     
  • 7. Aircraft shall be parked in designated areas only and shall have parking brakes set and wheels firmly blocked to prevent movement and/or shall be firmly secured to the ground by ropes or other appropriate means.
     
  • 8. The following aeronautical operations shall require prior written approval of the Executive Director:
    • a. Aircraft having a maximum gross weight in excess of 12,500 pounds;
    • b. Banner towing;
    • c. Crop dusting;
    • d. Ultralight Aircraft;
    • e. Experimental or home-built Aircraft, as defined in 14 CFR 21.191;
    • f. Glider operations;
    • g. Unmanned aerial vehicles; and
    • h. Kites, model airplanes, tethered or non-tethered balloons, rockets or other objects constituting a hazard to Aircraft operations.
       
  • 9. No parachute jumping or skydiving shall be permitted without prior approval authorizing the specific jumping and imposing conditions on such jumping at a designated drop zone.  All parachute operations must meet or exceed all applicable federal and state requirements.
     
  • 10. No Aircraft shall land or take off from the Airport unless equipped with properly functioning brakes or other FAA-authorized means to assure adequate ground control.
     
  • 11. Every Person involved in, or witnessing an Aircraft accident on or near the Airport premises shall ensure that the details of such accident are reported to the Executive Director.  In addition, the pilot or Aircraft owner shall report fully to the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics the details of any accident in which there is death or injury, or in which damage to the property of others exceeds $400.  When the damaged Aircraft is released by the FAA or the National Transportation Safety Board, the University shall have the authority to move or arrange for the removal of the disabled Aircraft, at the owner’s expense if the owner is unable to arrange for such removal.
     
  • 12. No Person may operate an Aircraft at the Airport in a reckless or negligent manner,in disregard to the rights and safety of others, without due caution and circumspection, or at a speed or in a manner which endangers, or is likely to endanger, persons or property.  Further, no Person shall operate Aircraft constructed, equipped or loaded in such a manner as to endanger, or to be likely to endanger persons or property.
     
  • 13. No Person shall operate an Aircraft in the air, or on the Airport premises, while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
     
  • 14. No Aircraft shall remain idle on the Airport runways.  No Aircraft shall block the entrance to the Airport taxiways or runways, other than for the normal time required to perform routine checkouts prior to take off.  Aircraft shall not cross a taxiway to enter upon a runway until the pilot has stopped and assured by their inspection that there is no danger of collision with any person or object.
     
  • 15. No Aircraft engine shall be started or operated unless a competent Aircraft operator is in the Aircraft attending to the controls or the Aircraft is being serviced or repaired in an area designated for the purpose and the Aircraft is properly secured to prevent accidental movement.

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• D.  Fire and Life Safety Requirements  -  See also Fire Safety Guidelines for Aircraft Storage Hangars (Exhibit A)
   
  • 1. General
    • a.   All activities conducted at the Airport must be conducted in compliance with applicable fire and life safety requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 19: Regulations of the State Fire Marshal, and Title 24: California Building Standards; the Uniform Fire Code; and UCD Policy 390-40: Fire Safety.
    • b.   All buildings, hangars, shelters, tie-down spaces, enclosures, and open areas, whether leased or non-leased, are subject to fire and life safety inspections at any time by University Fire Department personnel.  Lessees and Permittees shall make these areas available for inspection upon notification by the Executive Director Transportation Services, who shall inform the Lessee/Permittee of the time and date set by the Fire Department for the inspection.  Lessee/Permittees may accompany Fire Department personnel during inspections.  If a Lessee/Permittee does not make such areas available for inspection, either by attending the inspection or by providing the University with the key(s) or combination(s) to all relevant locks, or if a Lessee/Permittee is unresponsive to the Executive Director Transportation Services’ attempts to schedule a fire safety inspection, the University may, in its sole discretion and without notice to the Lessee/Permittee, enter such areas, regardless of whether such entry requires the removal or destruction of any lock or locking mechanism.  Any damages resulting from University’s entry for inspection shall be borne solely by the Lessee/Permittee.
    • c.   Lessee/Permittees must correct any hazard, hazardous condition, or improper storage when given written notice by the Fire Department.  Such action must be taken within the time limit stated on the notice. Failure to comply may result in loss of Airport space usage.
       
• 2. Fuel Handling
  • a. The sale of aviation fuel at the Airport by any Person other than the University is prohibited.
  • b. Smoking is prohibited within 50 feet of any:
    • (i)        Fuel storage area, fuel handling area, fuel handling vehicle, or fuel handling device
    • (II)       Aircraft during a fueling operation
    • (III)      Legally posted “no smoking” sign
  • c. During a fueling operation:
    • (i)        Passengers are not permitted in or on Aircraft being fueled
    • (ii)       Radio transmitters and electrical appliances must not be operated within 60 feet of the operation
    • (iii)      Materials or devices likely to cause static sparks are prohibited from use within 50 feet of the operation
    • (iv)       All Aircraft, fuel handling vehicles, and fuel handling devices involved in the operation must be grounded

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• E. Vehicle Operations
  Pursuant to Section 2113 of the California Vehicle Code, the University is authorized to develop and enforce parking regulations as needed. All provisions of the California Vehicle Code and the UCD Traffic and Parking Code are applicable to activities at the University Airport.  In addition, the following regulations apply at the University Airport:
   
  • 1. Motor vehicle speeds shall be limited to 25 miles an hour on Airport property and 15 miles per hour within 150 feet of any Aircraft or building. However, at no time shall a motor vehicle be driven at a speed faster than is safe and reasonable under all the circumstances.
     
  • 2. No motor vehicle shall be driven across or upon any active runway except emergency vehicles, as defined at the Vehicle Code of California performing emergency operations.
     
  • 3. Aircraft shall have the right-of-way at all times over all motor vehicles operating within the Airport.
     
  • 4. No motor vehicle may park on the tarmac, shades or adjacent to hangars.  Motor vehicles must park in the University Airport parking facility.

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EXHIBIT A

FIRE SAFETY GUIDELINES for AIRCRAFT STORAGE HANGARS

 

SCOPE

These guidelines pertain to all Aircraft storage hangars located on property within the jurisdictional boundaries of the University of California, Davis campus.  Such hangars are intended for storing Aircraft or other equipment for use in aeronautical activities.

1. Combustible materials that are accessory to the use of the Aircraft or for the comfort of the Lessee/Permittee while in the building are permitted. Such materials may include metal or heavy wood chairs and furniture, light metal patio furniture and pads, and carpet or similar floor covering up to 144 square feet in area.  Beds and upholstered furniture are prohibited due to their heavy fire fuel load characteristics.
    
2. Small hand tools, Aircraft parts, and supplies, including motor oil, necessary for maintaining the Aircraft may be stored in the hangar.  Storage and use of compressed gases and welding equipment is prohibited.
    
3. All other storage, such as that of household items, business inventory, and machinery is prohibited.
    
4. A small (i.e., maximum 20 square feet) shelf or workbench used for the safe placement of tools is permitted. Such shelf or bench must be accessory to the minor Maintenance of the Aircraft and must be constructed of metal or heavy wood.
    
5. One electrical extension cord is allowed, provided it is in good condition, does not take the place of permanent wiring, as described in the California Fire Code, and bears the Underwriters Laboratories label for safety.
    
6. Refrigerators and heat-generated appliances, such as those used for cooking or space heating, are not permitted.
    
7. No individual may remain in a hangar overnight.
    
8. The Lessee/Permittee shall make the hangar available for fire safety inspections upon notification by the Executive Director, who shall inform the Lessee/Permittee of the time and date set by the University Fire Department. Fire safety inspections are referenced to the Uniform Fire Code and to University Fire Department requirements, as directed by the Fire Chief.
    
9. The Permittee shall correct any hazard or hazardous condition when given written notice by the Fire Department. Such action shall be taken within the time limit stated on the notice. Failure to comply may be grounds for revocation of the Lease/Permit.

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