Public Fields

[Chuck Czarnik]

In Nashville (Davidson County), our 3 public fields are on public land
in parks.  The county issues Photo ID/permits ($20/year) and requires
them to fly at any of the fields.  To get the permit you have to show a
valid AMA for that year, or provide a copy of an insurance policy that
provides a minimum $300k personal liability umbrella.

The county performs basic maintenance of the fields, including mowing,
parking lot maint, fencing, some runway maint.  Each field has an AMA
chartered club, and they typically make improvements and maintenance
beyond what the county provides-- pit areas, better mowing, runway
striping, storage buildings, etc.

As far as authority over the rules process and operation of the field, I
believe it to be much more of a grey area..  The local clubs have all
adopted the AMA code, freq. control, and added their own rules regarding
flight line safety, hovering, etc. etc.  For the most part I think
pilots accept the club rules, although the question of enforceability
has come up from time to time... For example, suppose the local club
imposes a landing fee as a fundraiser for a day.. Most will gladly pay
the fee, but some also push back arguing that the field is a public
facility.  Same thing has come up when fields are closed for contests.

There are also authority issues regarding safety.  As a public field,
the club can't mandate club membership and intervene in safety matters
with non-members.  I'm sure that the county could get involved if
someone asked them to, but such visibility could ultimately spoil it for
everybody.

I like the concept of a public field most of the tiem, where I can go
fly where I want when I want (usually).  But it does have it's
drawbacks.  I think the clubs we have in Nashville do a great job of the
situation.

Chuck 

-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
On Behalf Of Richard Lindberg
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 8:43 AM
To: NSRCA List
Subject: Public Fields

Perhaps those of you that fly at publicly owned fields (city, county,
etc.)
could answer a few questions I have concerning administration,
maintenance and
safety at such facilities.

Does the city/county allow anyone to use the facility, regardless of
club or
other (e.g., AMA) affiliation?  Who sets the safety rules?  How are they
enforced?

If a club uses that field as their 'home' field, what is the
relationship with
the city/county?  Does the club rent or lease the facility?  Typical
cost?  As
before, who sets the safety rules, and who enforces?  Does the club
restrict
usage, and if so, how?

If a club 'controls' the field, who is responsible for the maintenance?
Insurance?

Can you make a comparison with 'private' clubs and their facilities?

TIA

Richard


=====================================
# To be removed from this list, send a message to 
# discussion-request at nsrca.org
# and put leave discussion on the first line of the body.
#


-----------------------------
NOTICE:  The information contained in this electronic mail message 
is either attorney privileged and/or confidential information intended
only for the use of the individual or agent responsible to deliver
it to the intended recipient; or, alternately, proprietary information
(trade secret).  You are hereby notified that any dissemination, 
distribution or copying of this communication or unauthorized use of the 
information herein contained, is strictly prohibited. If you have 
received this communication in error, please immediately delete it 
from your computer and notify the sender of your receipt of this message.  
==================# To be removed from this list, send a message to 
# discussion-request at nsrca.org
# and put leave discussion on the first line of the body.
#