Section 14.620  Public-Use of Airports for Non-Conventional Aircraft

a)         Balloon Port

1)         Physical Standards.  The diameter of the launch circle shall be a minimum of 300 feet, as shown in Appendix C, Illustration A.

2)         Minimum Departure Slope.  A balloon port must provide a 1:1 departure slope as measured from the nearest edge of the circle throughout its entire 360º circumference.  All public utility lines, towers of all types, and inhabited buildings or dwellings must be cleared by at least 5:1 as measured from the nearest edge of the circle.

3)         Facilities.  Every balloon port shall provide:

A)        Wind direction/velocity indicator (must be lighted for night use).

B)        Adequate fire protection equipment.

C)        Potable water during business hours.

D)        Sanitary restroom facilities.

E)        First-aid kit.

4)         Responsibility of a Public-Use Balloon Port Certificate Holder

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

B)        Have authorized personnel in attendance at the balloon port 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.

C)        Ensure that the balloon port has a phone number by which Division personnel can reach the Certificate Holder or his or her agent.  In the event that the Certificate Holder or agent is not available at this number, an answering device at the balloon port 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.

D)        Prescribe local balloon port rules that will be reviewed and approved, prior to their adoption, by the Division.

E)        Develop and follow, on the property subject to the Certificate Holder's control, operational maintenance and repair practices that will ensure that the landing area and approaches are free from hazards to the operation of aircraft.

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

b)         Seaplane Base

1)         Physical Standards for Water Lane.  Water landing and departure surfaces must be a minimum of 400 feet in width, as shown in Appendix C, Illustration A.

2)         Water Lane Length and Minimum Clearances.  The water lane length for all approaches to and takeoff from the water shall be sufficient to allow for a 100' clearance over all structures on land and water.

3)         Facilities.  Every seaplane base shall provide:

A)        Wind direction/velocity indicator (must be lighted for night use).

B)        One 20# fire extinguisher (two with sale of fuel).

C)        Docking or beaching facility.

D)        Accessible emergency personal flotation device (life ring or preserver).

E)        Potable water.

F)         Sanitary restrooms.

G)        First-aid kit.

H)        Segmented circle with arms where a non-standard traffic pattern is used.

I)        Fuel.

4)         Responsibility of a Public-Use Seaplane Base Certificate Holder

A)        Notify the appropriate FAA-FSS of hazardous conditions.

B)        Supervise or cause the supervision of all aeronautical activity in connection with the seaplane base 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 seaplane base 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 seaplane base has a phone number by which Division personnel can reach the Certificate Holder or his or her agent.  In the event that the Certificate Holder or agent is not available at this number, an answering device at the seaplane base 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 seaplane base rules that will be reviewed and approved, prior to their adoption, by the Division.

F)         Develop and follow, on the property subject to the Certificate Holder's 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, information concerning aircraft using the seaplane base as an operating base, persons exercising managerial or supervisory functions at the seaplane base, accidents, and the nature and extent of aeronautical activity occurring at the seaplane base.

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