Sec. 80b.

(1) A person operating an aircraft shall conform to standard traffic patterns recommended by federal air regulations except as follows:

(a) When meteorological conditions are such that compliance with visual flight rules as prescribed by federal air regulations is impossible at the prescribed traffic pattern altitudes, altitudes may be reduced as necessary down to but no lower than altitudes in accordance with the appropriate federal air regulations, this act, and the rules promulgated under this act.

(b) If local conditions require, and the traffic pattern has been altered to fit these conditions and approved by the commission.

(2) Aircraft shall conform with properly established local noise abatement procedures.

(3) A person shall not fly an aircraft acrobatically over a licensed aeronautical facility except upon written authority of the airport manager, and then only when the site is closed to traffic.

(4) Airmen, before departing from a licensed aeronautical facility, shall make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of storage, repair, and supply charges.

(5) The owner, operator, or pilot of an aircraft, or a person to whom he or she has given permission to use the aircraft, is directly responsible for its safe operation.

(6) When an aircraft is involved in an accident in this state that causes injury or death, the owner or person in control of the aircraft shall immediately report the accident to the nearest state police post.

(7) A person shall not operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, the life or property of another. Other than at a licensed or approved landing area, a person shall not fly an aircraft less than 25 feet (7.6 meters) above the ground at the field boundary, or closer than 25 feet (7.6 meters) to any object or structure while landing or taking off.

(8) A person shall not fly an aircraft within 500 feet (153 meters) of another aircraft, except by prearrangement of each aircraft's pilot in command.

History: Add. 1996, Act 370, Imd. Eff. July 3, 1996