Warren County reviews updated Front Royal airport rules; supervisors press on commission authority and insurance levels

Paul Kos Kabinski, speaking for the airport commission, presented a roughly 46‑page update to the Front Royal Airport rules and regulations that the commission developed over the past year and revised to reflect current Federal Aviation Administration requirements. He said the draft contains tracked changes to a 2019 source document and represents the commission’s furthest point short of county review.

The board pressed the commission on several points. Supervisor Mrs. Cook said the draft’s language reads as if the commission had unilateral decision‑making authority and asked that the text be revised to reflect the commission’s advisory role under the county ordinance. Kos Kabinski said the commission intended to act as a “clearinghouse” and to make recommendations to county staff and the Board of Supervisors rather than to supersede county authorities.

Insurance levels drew sustained scrutiny. Board members noted references in the draft to a $5,000,000 policy and other clauses that appear to reduce coverage thresholds (including a reported reduction for independent flight instructors). Kos Kabinski said he had surveyed aviation insurers and could not locate $5,000,000 policies for typical local aviation providers, which is why the commission proposed lower, market‑available tiers. He emphasized the draft has been briefed to county staff but has not completed legal or procurement review.

Supervisors also asked the commission to: clarify whether parachute landing sites should appear on the Airport Layout Plan (the commission said FAA and USPA guidance discouraged placing such sites on the ALP because that locks the location); explicitly define drone and model aircraft operations (the draft adds a UAS section citing FAR Part 107 compliance); and run a final pass to confirm use of “shall” versus “may” so the rules do not unintentionally impose mandatory requirements that exceed county policy.

Board members recommended adding brief language recognizing existing airport security measures — for example, key‑card/fob access and a gated vehicle policy — and asked that the draft explicitly state whether background checks for employees and applicants could be required. Kos Kabinski said the airport superintendent currently controls fobs and that the sheriff’s office participates in annual security audits; the commission agreed it could add a reference to existing security processes and suggested county legal and planning staff review the MOU and appended application materials for consistency.

Next steps: Kos Kabinski asked the board to submit suggested changes to county staff so legal, finance and procurement can complete peer review. The commission will return a revised draft after staff and attorney input before any final board approval or ordinance change is considered.