Airport use (offroad vehicles on the ramp)

RV Jerry · #1 02-08-2015, 09:10 PM

I would like opinions on what people do on ramps in front of hangers,this afternoon I was working in my hanger enjoying a nice quiet afternoon of building when one of my hanger neighbors showed up with his giant motor home and trailer ,he parked on ramp ,unloaded his trailer of several offroad motorcycles and quads then cut his two young children loose on them ( 6-8 years old) for the next three hours they ran up and down ramp.
My nice quiet afternoon was shot .
Do you think I'm out of line letting this bother me?
this airport is one of calif. highest use G/A airports .
In my opinion this is not just a nuisance but a safety issue.
If you agree how do you think I should handle this with out making enemys
Regards.

9GT · #2 02-08-2015, 09:19 PM

Its not only a safety issue for those that are there for aviation purposes, it is dangerous for the ATV riders and most definitely illegal. I would report them immediately. http://www.theoaklandpress.com/gener...t-troy-airport

rjbob · #3 02-08-2015, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Jerry

In my opinion this is not just a nuisance but a safety issue.
If you agree how do you think I should handle this with out making enemys
Regards.

Maybe you could contact the airport manager and relate the situation without using any names.
Nobody needs to make enemies but there is no excuse for the lack of consideration.

BobTurner · #4 02-08-2015, 09:59 PM

A quiet afternoon? At an airport? No.
But was this a safety issue? Absolutely. If you're not up to, or get no reasonable response from, talking with the father, a call to the airport manager is in order. Turning props and kids don't mix well.

tjo · #5 02-08-2015, 10:39 PM

Those are off road machines with off road operators. While an airport isn't "on road" it's certainly not off road either. I would talk to the dad with the full expectation that he would be understanding and courteous and only take it to other authorities if he wasn't.

Tim

Jasonm · #6 02-09-2015, 05:43 AM

That is completely out of line not to mention extremely dangerous. I know my airport (AVL) would never stand for anything like that. You would think there would be a lot more professionalism and courtesy from your hanger neighbor.

Definitely report the issue to management.

Jason

fixnflyguy · #7 02-09-2015, 05:57 AM

Had similar situation at our airport a couple years ago. A long time tenant and airport employee often let his teenage kid ride a big, fast go-kart around the property and hangars...everyone warned of the impending mishap, and it finally happened. He lost control, drove straight into a Piper Seneca that was in a T-hangar, wedging the Kart between the fuselage and right engine all the way up to the leading edge. Could have killed him if he hit the nose straight on. That was just the beginning, as it put the airport insurance holder on high alert, though a claim wasn't filed, and we though we might become victims of the "cant do anything at this airport" like so many others. I would immediately get a group together and say something to him. Just imagine one of them running into a plane with a prop turning.

RV7A Flyer · #8 02-09-2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fixnflyguy

Just imagine one of them running into a plane with a prop turning.

Which is a very real possibility...kid on an ATV or dirt bike comes around a corner and an airplane is on the other side, kid panics a bit and hits the gas and not the brake, or just loses control of the vehicle...

This also highlights the need for pilots to *slow down* while taxiing, especially when approaching corners at the ends of alleyways, etc. I've seen far too many pilots taxiing at a pretty good clip down an alleyway and make the turn at the end without ever slowing down. What's the hurry?

Remember...there might be idiot kids riding ATVs around on the field, and nobody wants to kill one just because they're in a hurry to get to the runway.

That said...yeah, goofing around on a tarmac is a really bad idea. Have a chat with the airport manager.

catmandu · #9 02-09-2015, 06:19 PM

Damm kids . . . "GET OFF MY TARMAC!"

JCSmith · #10 02-09-2015, 06:52 PM

Happens all the time at our airport here in the southeast corner of Wisconsin. You can talk to these people till you're blue in the face and it does no good. Many times the adult allowing the dangerous conduct doesn't even have an aircraft in the hanger that is full of his toys. It's obvious they feel the ramp area, and in our case taxiway also, is their own personal playground. Someone is going to be hurt or killed, and then these idiots will start the law suits...