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Board weighs tie-down fees, lease language and insurance limits as answer to derelict aircraft
Summary
Members reviewed examples from other airports on tie-down and long-term parking policies, discussed raising tenant liability limits and were cautioned that FAA-funded apron areas cannot be made exclusive long-term leases.
Rob (board member) presented research on tie-down rules, derelict aircraft policies and fee structures used by other small airports and recommended the board consider a formal tie-down/lease arrangement to provide contact information for aircraft owners and legal authority to remove derelicts.
Rob summarized examples he reviewed from multiple states and said tie-down programs commonly give the first seven days free for transient aircraft and then charge daily or monthly rates. He cited a Columbus, Mont., example that begins charging after a seven-day free period and said monthly tie-down rates at comparable airports range roughly from $15 to $60 depending on aircraft type and local policy.
Rob recommended a written policy or lease for long-term occupants so the airport has owner contact information and contractual authority to remove or relocate derelict or inoperative aircraft. He said lease provisions commonly address operational status, repair timelines, nonpayment, abandonment after a specified period (he cited examples that mark aircraft abandoned after roughly 30 to 60 days of nonpayment) and restrictions on repairs at tie-down sites.
Board members discussed insurance levels for hangar tenants and transient aircraft. The board reported that their insurance contact recommended replacing outdated "comprehensive general liability" lease language with "airport premises liability" and that recommended minimum coverage is $1 million per occurrence, but not less than $500,000, with at least $25,000 for damage to leased hangars. One board member said some Montana airports ask owners to carry $2 million; others recommend $1 million.
Lance Bowser cautioned the board about using long-term exclusive leases on apron areas that were built with FAA funds, saying those surfaces must remain generally available. "If you say somebody's tied down there, they have a month long lease or 2 month long lease and they go fly, somebody else flies in, that's open space," he said. His point: fees and posted tie-down rules may be an appropriate tool rather than leasing specific apron spaces if the county wants to remain compliant with FAA grant assurances.
Board discussion covered practical enforcement: signage, an honor box or pilot's-lounge payment system, and using posted rules to document expectations for transient parking and the consequences for nonpayment or long-term abandonment. The board agreed to place a tie-down/lease policy item on next month's agenda to draft language and to follow up with the county's insurance contact for recommended wording.
Separately, board members raised safety and nuisance concerns about low, early turns after takeoff over nearby recreational areas. Members proposed posting a suggested minimum departure-turn altitude for the uncontrolled runway (examples discussed ranged from 400 to 1,000 feet AGL) and agreed to include that noise-abatement / safety posting on next month's agenda.
