Abe wrote:This thread is a great way for me to put out a notice to you Oregon Pilots that Oregon Pilots Association (OPA) is putting together a backcountry committee to help keep places like this and other backcountry strips open and safe for all GA pilots to use and enjoy like any other responsible outdoor recreational group. With the encouragement of Dennis Smith, OPA President, we are asking for volunteers from each of Oregon's 5-regions to form this 7-member committee and work on issues just like the one this thread is addressing. We have had one pilot already throw his name into the hat and will be looking forward to others. So we won't have to reinvent the wheel, I have been in contact with the IAA and the RAF, and both said that they would be willing to meet with us this spring and give us some guidance. Does anyone know if the Wash. Pilots Assoc. has a similar group, as I want to get them involved in this also? The next issue of OPA's Prop Wash will have an article on this, but this was a great opportunity to get this out to everyone.
And having been to the Alvord hot springs many times, it is a great place to visit and enjoy.
Cheers,
Bill
Seeing the message from Bill above reminded me of a provision in the Oregon Revised Statutes that would allow for the creation of a beach landing landing zone/airport in Oregon similar to Copalis Beach in Washington. The relevent statutes are posted below:
ORS 836.510 - Use of certain ocean beaches as landing fields.
Except as permitted under ORS 836.520, no person shall use for a landing field for aircraft any part of the Oregon shore of the Pacific Ocean between high and low tide, commonly known as the “beach,” and which by law has been made a state recreation area, except for an emergency. [Formerly 492.780]
ORS 836.515 - Petition to set aside shore as landing field.
Any person, municipality or municipal corporation desiring to use for a landing field for aircraft any part of the Oregon shore of the Pacific Ocean described in ORS 836.510 shall petition the State Aviation Board to set aside and designate a particular area of the shore for a landing field for aircraft. The petition shall clearly describe the area sought for such purpose and shall contain information giving the type and number of aircraft which will use such field, the extent to which and the purpose for which such field shall be so used, together with such other information as the board may require. Before the petition is filed with the board it shall be approved in writing by the Oregon Department of Aviation. [Formerly 492.790]
ORS 836.520 - Action on petition; order setting aside area for landing field; user permits; revocation of order or permit.
The State Aviation Board shall give due consideration to each petition submitted under ORS 836.515, and may in its discretion order a public hearing in the vicinity in which it is proposed to establish the landing field, at which hearing all persons interested may appear and be heard. If after due consideration the board is of the opinion that the best interests of the general public will be served by granting the petition, an order may be made which shall be entered in the minutes of the board. The order shall provide that the described area shall be set aside as a landing field for aircraft and the order may authorize the issuance of a permit to the applicant to use the field for said purpose. The permit shall contain such conditions and safeguards with respect to policing and other matters incident to the public welfare as the board deems proper for the safety of the general public. The board may, for a violation of any of the terms or conditions of the permit, recall and cancel the same. The board may in its discretion vacate the order setting aside the area for a landing field whenever in the judgment of the board the interests of the general public warrant such action. [Formerly 492.800]
I think it would be a great addition to the State of Oregon if we had a beach recreational airport with maybe some camping or hiking. It might be a really great project for this new Oregon Pilot's Association Back Country Committee to take on. Perhaps find a friendly local municiplaity that would like to see some economic development and get them on board? Or maybe look at places that are otherwise mostly inaccessable to avoid conflicet with other users? Whatever the strategy, if a good plan was put forth the statutes do make a provision for an Oregon beach airport. It sure would be fun to fly to the beach and have a campfire and watch the waves roll in on a nice summer day.
of this group so far. It will take awhile to get our feet on the ground, but we hope to cut a few corners by learning from some of our other neighboring GA groups with similar concerns. BCP is a great pilot base with an immense amount of knowledge that we will be drawing on as we progress forward.
