Section 14.560  Responsibility of a Public-Use Airport Certificate Holder

The holder of a Certificate of Approval for a public-use airport, or his or her authorized agent, has the responsibility to enforce applicable federal, State and local aeronautical laws, and regulations of this Part.  In addition to maintaining the terms and conditions outlined in the Certificate of Approval and its supporting Order, the Certificate Holder or agent must:

a)         Immediately designate any condition that may render an aircraft landing or takeoff hazardous (e.g., rough terrain, soft ground) by prominently displaying an "X" as set forth in Appendix A, Illustration J; and, also, by notifying the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station (FAA-FSS) of those conditions.  All other hazardous conditions (e.g., snow or ice on runway) should be reported immediately or NOTAMED (Notice to Airmen) to the FAA-FSS.

b)         Supervise or cause the supervision of all aeronautical activity in connection with the airport in the interest of public safety, except activity that may be controlled by an authorized air traffic control facility.

c)         Have authorized personnel in attendance at the airport at all times during normal business hours (i.e., 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).  In the event that it is impractical to comply with the foregoing, the Certificate Holder or his or her agent shall post a prominent notice of the existing situation and provide a telephone number for assistance.

d)         Ensure that the airport has a phone number by which Division personnel can reach the Certificate Holder or agent.  In the event that the Certificate Holder or agent is not available at the airport number, an answering device at the airport number shall provide a message identifying a reliable secondary number where the Certificate Holder or agent can be reached.  It is mandatory that any change in Certificate Holder/agent address or phone number be reported to the Division in writing, by phone, or by e-mail, within 10 days after the change.

e)         Prescribe local airport rules that will be reviewed and approved, prior to their adoption, by the Division.

f)         Develop and follow, on the property subject to his or her control, operational maintenance, and repair practices that will ensure that the landing area and approaches are free from hazards to the operation of aircraft.

g)         Furnish the Division, upon request, with information concerning aircraft using the airport as an operating base, persons exercising managerial or supervisory functions at the airport, accidents, and the nature and extent of aeronautical activity occurring at the airport.

h)         Obliterate all signs and markings that might indicate that the airport is still operating, prior to the Division issuing an Order closing the airport, in accordance with Section 14.120(c).  Place an "X" on the field, as set forth in Appendix A, Illustration J, unless the airport is, or is proposed to be, operated as an RLA.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 7104, effective March 30, 2018)