HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 4336--�1-
OFFICIAL RECORD
ORDINANCE NO. 3 3 CITY SECRETARY
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF HELICOPTERS F�• s � ;
AND HELIPORTS WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT WORTH; DEFINING TERMS;
PROHIBITING THE OPERATION THEREOF IN A NEU'LIGE11lT OR RECKLESS
MANNER; REQUIRING THAT EACH HELICOPTER HAVE AN AIR-WORTHINESS
CERTIFICATE AND EACH PERSON FLYING SUCH HELICOPTER A VALID
AIRMAN'S CERTIFICATE; REGULATING THE LANDING AND TAKE-OFF OF
HELICOPTERS; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION HEREOF;
PROVIDING FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE;
AND PRESCRIBING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
As used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the mean-
ings indicated:
(a) The term "helicopter" shall mean any rotorcraft which
depends principally for its support and motion in the
air upon the lift generated by one or more power-driven
rotors, rotating on substantially vertical axes.
(b) The term "heliport" shall mean any area of land or water
or a structural surface which is used or intended to be
used for the landing and take-off of helicopters and any
appurtenant areas which are used or intended to be used
for heliport buildings and other heliport facilities.
SECTION 2.
It shall be unlawful to operate a helicopter within the corporate
limits of the City of Fort Worth as follows:
(a) In a aftligent or reckless manner so as to endanger the
life or property of others; or
(b) Unless there is then outstanding for such helicopter a
valid air-worthiness certificate issued by the Federal
Aviation Agency of the United States of America; or
(c) Unless there is then outstanding for the person flaring
such helicopter a valid airman's certificate issued by
the Federal Aviation Agency; or
(d) To or from any property other than a heliport approved
by the Aviation Board of the City of Fort Worth (kept
in cases of an emergency in flight), provided, however,
that the landing and take-off of helicopters at places
other than approved heliports may be authorized by ob-
taining written permission from the Director of Aviation
of the City of Fort Worth where no federal or local safety
regulations are violated and where the person owning or
controlling the premises to be used has given his written
consent to such use.
SECTION 3.
The operation and flight of helicopters within the corporate limits
of the City of Fort Worth shall be in conformity with all applicable safety
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rules, regulations, manuals and directives of the Federal Aviation Agency,
the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Aviation Board of the City of Fart
Worth, including but not limited to those regulations relating to minimum
safe altitudes. In addition, where specific minimum safe altitudes, traf-
fic patterns and approach routes for a heliport are prescribed by the Avia-
tion Board of the City of Fort Worth with the approval of the Federal Avia-
tion Agency, failure to ccaply therewith shall constitute a violation of
this ordinance.
SECTION 4.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of
this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction there-
of, shall be fined not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), and each
and every day such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 5.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of
this ordinance may be enjoined by a suit filed by the City of Fort Worth in
a court of competent jurisdiction, and this remedy shall be in addition to
any penal provision of this ordinance.
SECTION 6.
If any provision, section, part, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase
or paragraph of this ordinance be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the
same shall not affect any other portion or provision hereof and all other
provisions shall remain valid and unaffected by any invalid portion, if any,
and the City Council now says that if it had known at the time of the passage
of this ordinance that any portion of said ordinance was invalid, it would
not have adopted such invalid part.
SECTION 7.
The fact that the City of Fort Worth does not now have adequate regu-
lations with respect to the operation and maintenance of helicopters and
heliports within the corporate limits of the City of Fort Worth creates an
urgency and an emergency in the interest of the preservation of the public
peace, health, safety and general welfare which requires that this ordinance
take effect the 19th day of August, A. D. 1960, and it is so ordained; and
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the City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth is hereby directed to publish
this ordinance in a newspaper of general circulation in the community for
a total of five (5) days prior to such effective date.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
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City Attorney
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