Airpark Security Self Certification

It is a good idea to have an Airpark Security Plan. Even if it is a self-certified plan, it shows airpark attorneys, insurance agents, area law enforcement, and government officials your airpark takes security seriously. Following is a starting point to put such a plan in place.

Elements of an Airpark

  1. General access
  2. Runway & taxiway
  3. Public areas
  4. Individual homes (private areas)
  5. Hangars
  6. Tiedown areas
  7. Fencing
  8. Alarms & Security Systems
  1. General access
    1. Access to individual
    2. Access to public
    3. Foot access only
    4. Vehicle access
  2. Runway & taxiway
    1. Access to taxiway
      1. Airplanes
      2. Vehicles
      3. Foot
      4. Non-motorized
    2. Access to runway
      1. Airplanes
      2. Vehicles
      3. Foot
      4. Non-Motorized
  3. Public areas
    1. Commercial aviation operations
    2. Community amenities
    3. Tiedown areas
    4. Restaurants
  4. Individual homes
    1. Driveways
    2. Taxiways
  5. Hangar
    1. Free standing
    2. Integrated into home
    3. Available to Public
  6. Tiedowns
    1. Public areas
    2. Individual homesites
  7. Fences
    1. From streets
    2. From Individual properties
    3. Around Runway and Taxiway
  8. Alarms & Security systems
    1. Cameras
    2. Signs
    3. Sirens
    4. Lighting

Explanation of terms:

  • Controlled – a controlled access requires a gate with a fence that is kept locked or otherwise available to a restricted population
  • Foot access – A person can park a vehicle and walk onto the ramp or tiedown area.
  • Vehicle access – A person can drive to individual properties, tiedown area or elsewhere on the airport.
  • Non-motorized – Access to tiedown and hangar areas by means of bicycles, horses, etc.
  • General access – Residential airparks generally are secure because residents know each other, the individuals, their vehicles and airplanes. Strange individuals, vehicles and airplanes are noted in short order. Homes frequently are occupied around the clock providing additional security because of awareness.
  • Runway and taxiway – Residential airpark runways frequently are turf and relatively short, thus limiting the size of aircraft utilizing them.
  • Public areas – FBOs, restaurants, commercial business establishments are rare on residential airparks. Those having such entities need to make special arrangements to secure the runway and taxiway facility from these facilities.
  • Individual Homes (Private areas) – Homes on residential airparks usually are on relatively large lots providing open spaces between them. This allows open lines of sight for approaching or passing individuals, vehicles or airplanes.
  • Hangars – Hangars owned by airpark residents but detached and separated from the individual homes are generally considered more secure than hangars on commercial areas rented to (or owned by) non-residents.
  • Tiedown areas – Like hangar space, tiedowns occupied by airplanes of residents are generally considered more secure than tiedowns occupied by airplanes owned by non-residents.
  • Fencing – Residential airpark fencing can be of several types. Individual lots can be fenced completely. Access to the entire property can be limited by perimeter fencing.
  • Fencing from individual lots and commercial – public areas can limit runway and taxiway access.
  • Security and Alarm Systems
    • Security systems (in addition to fencing) can include intruder alarms connected to police, fire or alarm watch companies.
    • Private security patrol firms can survey the property on a pre-arranged basis.
    • Sirens and lighting can enhance security by announcing and revealing intruders
    • ID cards issued to residents allows verification.
    • Applying decals or some visual item makes it easier to note intruders

Self Certification suggestions:

Listed below are numerous aspects of a residential airpark and potential security concerns and answers. By examining each area with your fellow residents you should be able to agree on which areas of security you feel need to be strengthened, which are already in place and which ones you feel are not important enough to give further consideration.

  1. GENERAL ACCESS
    1. Perimeter fencing
    2. Individual gate openers
    3. On-duty gate guard
    4. Clear sight lines into runway and taxiway from street
    5. No public access
    6. No commercial operations
    7. No non-resident hangars or tiedowns
  2. RUNWAY & TAXIWAY
    1. Not accessible except from individual properties
    2. Fenced access
    3. On duty guard
    4. Electronic gate openers
  3. PUBLIC AREAS
    1. For residents only, ie, pool, clubhouse
    2. Adequate security-type lighting
    3. Restricted access by fence
    4. Clearly visible from street
    5. No aircraft access
    6. Private security patrol
  4. INDIVIDUAL HOMES
    1. Individual security & alarm systems
    2. Completely fenced
    3. Gates with locks
    4. Access only to taxiway
    5. Adequate outdoor lighting
  5. HANGARS
    1. Enclosed hangars with locks
    2. No public hangars
    3. Active alarms & Security systems
    4. Private security patrol
    5. Adequate lighting
    6. Automated intrusion alarm
  6. TIEDOWN AREAS
    1. Adequate lighting
    2. No public tiedowns
    3. Fenced tiedown area
    4. Private Security Patrol
    5. Automated Intrusion alarm
    6. Prop locks
    7. Enhanced airplane cabin door locks
    8. Airplane alarms
  7. FENCING
    1. 6-foot chain link fence with locked gate
    2. Automated intrusion alarms on fence
    3. Limited access points through perimeter fencing
  8. AUTOMATED SECURITY SYSTEMS
    1. Adequate lighting
    2. Sirens
    3. Alarms at individual homes
    4. Alarms at public areas
    5. Private security patrol
    6. On site inspection by authorized official
    7. Neighborhood watch organised
    8. Telephone tree organized
    9. Resident patrol organized
    10. ID cards issued for all residents
    11. Inventory all vehicles & planes
    12. Decals or other visual items distributed for all vehicles and planes
    13. Accurate layout of airpark with all structures posted in central spot
    14. Layout distributed to local law enforcement and fire department

2 replies on “Airpark Security Self Certification”

Eliminating public access seems to be a major part of this checklist, but for a larger airpark with lots of acreage and more than one runway, wouldn’t the presence of public facilities such as FBO, hanger rental, restaurant and fuel be major revenue sources for the homeowners association to defer some of the runway and road expense?

Not if you reside at Stellar Airpark in Chandler, AZ. The FBO, Stellar Air, refuses to contribute their fair share towards the upkeep of our member owned runway. We don’t even get a list from him on who he rents tie-downs to. Fuel flow revenue to airpark? no way…This means the homeowners have to pay more. Sad situation there…

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