North Adams Airport Commission Approves Drone Policy
 The Airport Commission approved a drone policy that limits flying the remote control aircraft near the airport without permission. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Airport Commission has approved a procedure and criteria to authorize unmanned aircraft to fly in the city.
The commission voted on a policy Tuesday afternoon that would ask all individuals looking to fly a drone or remote control plane, helicopter, or quadcopter, within five miles of the airport to notify the airport manager.
"We want to have the people that are knowledgeable and wanting to follow the regulations to be able to fly," Commissioner Trevor Gilman said. "Those that aren't and are abusing it, who are causing calls to the police, we want to nip that in the bud."
The policy was developed by a subcommittee after the commission received complaints from homeowners reporting drones flying on their property.
The policy will provide the airport manager with the responsibility to determine if the individual is aware of and follows the Federal Aviation Administration regulation for unmanned aircraft, which include not flying over 400 feet, only operating aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds, and not interfering with manned aircraft..
The policy also asks operators to follow the guidelines of a national organization that often has more strict guidelines. The policy recommends the Academy of Model Aeronautics guidelines that the FAA often refers to. These regulations prohibit things such as flying over public gatherings.
Gilman said that once the airport manager knows the individual is aware of the rules and follows them, then the individual only has to call the airport and give 24 hours notice before the next flight. If the flight will interact with manned airplanes, the manager can deny request.
Airport Manager Willard Greenwald said he felt many people would continue to fly without seeking permission and the policy could use some "teeth."
Gilman said if people do not follow the rules, it becomes a police matter, according to the FAA.
The commission showed some confusion over the policy's logistics, such as how to record people who have permission to fly and how to communicate this with law enforcement.
Greenwald said he felt the policy just needs to develop as problems arise.
"Maybe we are fighting a problem that doesn't even exist yet and maybe we should just see if it develops and then put more effort into it," he said.
Greenwald also said he is not always at the airport and it may be hard for him to check in all those who want to fly.
Gilman said this is a larger issue of having an airport staff that is purely volunteer.
"The one thing we need to keep in mind when we create ... work we need to have a person that can do the work," Gilman said. "The airport is operating with zero employees so it's all volunteer ... so I really hesitate to put work on people that aren't getting paid."
He said the policy is actually only temporary because the FAA is due to roll out its own guidelines specific to hobby, commercial, and recreational use of drones and remote control aircraft.
In other business, Greenwald said a derelict plane that has been left at the airport that the owner has refused to remove may be moved soon. He said according to the city, the airport can issue a demand letter that would give the owner a 30-day window to remove the plane, otherwise it will be done at his or her expense.
"This is good because that has been a thorn in my side," he said. "Right now it's a nuisance because we are going to start moving that airplane around to deal with the construction and everything."
He said he also dealt with complaints from Luce Road, Williamstown, residents who were worried about planes flying too low and turning over their homes.
"They were reporting airplanes turning over their houses at what appeared to be low altitude, and they were afraid for themselves and the people in the airplanes," he said.
Greenwald said he talked to the soaring club members who make the turn as a safety precaution because it allows the gliders to land in a field if there is a malfunction.
Greenwald said they understood and would alter their flying patterns.
"I told them it is not about the regulations it is about being good neighbor and they completely agreed," he said.
He added that the construction has also somewhat disrupted airport business. He said there are fewer tie-downs available and some of the hangers are unavailable for use and planes are out on the ramp.
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