General Aviation News blogger Jamie Beckett (Politics for Pilots) points out we still have some work to do as he relates sitting through a recent webinar. The moderator, near the end of the session, makes it known that he feels airports and residential development are incompatible. Not so. Stay tuned.

A reader from Idaho called a few days ago wondering about future airpark liability when it comes to newly enacted legislation in Idaho. Following is a follow up email he sent seeking clarification. Post your comments below if you have insight:

Idaho has enacted a statute Recreational Trepass – Landholder Liability Limited. We are trying to make sure it applies to us regarding liability when planes do fly in for visits. It says the purpose of the statute is to make land, airstrips and water areas available to the public without charge for recreational purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering thereon for such purposes. It is under Title 36, Fish and Game, Chapter 16. Have you heard anything about this? We understand Kansas has also passed a similar statue. Would you have any info on this?

The FAA will issue an interim residential through-the-fence (TTF) policy in the Federal Register on Friday, March 18 and it will remain in effect until a 2014 policy review. Read the complete story at the EAA website.

By Dave Sclair

A reader says he is a new pilot living in Wisconsin on a farm with a private 3,000 foot grass strip. The strip isn’t listed on any charts and he wonders about liability as it relates to accidents, etc. on the private strip. Are there any publications that spell out landowner responsibilities and liabilities?

Read the full story

KearneyHub.com reported on Friday, January 21 that the Buffalo County (Nebraska) Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a new hangar at Onion Crest Airport. The hangar would be owned by Chris Hilliard to house his two ag aircraft and associated offices and chemicals. The process was not without dissent from neighbors who fear dramatic growth at the airport. There was a failed attempt in 2009, to develop an airpark at the airport. From the story:

“In June 2009, the supervisors denied a request for a special-use permit from [Mark] Meyer that would have allowed construction of 16 houses with private airplane hangars at the airstrip — an $8 million project.”

SHREVE, Ohio — The Ashland (Ohio) Times Gazette is reporting the proposed Mohican Airpark has been granted preliminary approval by the Wayne County Planning Commission.

EAA posted thoughtful comments to the FAA on its through-the-fence policy. It also presented an intriguing look at some airports with residential and commercial through-the-fence operations. From the EAA website, “Using the FAA’s stated position that the airport “should be flexible and expandable,” you be the judge of the FAA’s position in the following side-by-side comparisons:”. Click here to see EAAs comparison.

Planehook Aviation Services takes issue with the FAAs proposal to prohibit residential through-the-fence operations at publicly funded airports. In a white paper [download here] released October 5, David Hook, Planehook’s president outlines the impact to security the proposal would create. From the white paper, “this FAA policy proposal contradicts previously established national policy and bears no evidence of having been coordinated through the Aviation Government Coordinating Council and the Aviation Sector Coordinating Council.” The three-page document will be Planehook’s official response in the Federal Register.

Bayfield, WI – The Town of Russell Plan Commission met October 5 for the consideration of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) filed with Bayfield County in September by CFS, LLC for the private airport at Waypoint. The evening marked the first of three public meetings as a part of the official review process for the request.

Upon opening the agenda item for the Waypoint CUP, commission member Tessa Levens moved to recommend denial of the request to the Town Board. Following more than an hour of public discussion, the motion to deny failed. Commission member Judy Meierotto’s motion to approve the request resulted in another two-to-two split with one abstention from member Rocky Tribovich, whose firm was hired to complete work at the Waypoint site.

Read the full story

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a residential through-the-fence hearing today. Download a PDF summary of the matter, or watch the hearing.