2006 Code of Virginia § 5.1-1 - Definitions

5.1-1. Definitions.

When used in this title, unless expressly stated otherwise:

"Board" means the Virginia Aviation Board.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, government, politicalsubdivision of the Commonwealth, or governmental subdivision or agency,business trust, estate, trust, partnership, two or more of any of theforegoing having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercialentity.

"Aircraft" means any contrivance now known, or hereafter invented, used ordesigned for navigation of or flight in the air, including a balloon or othercontrivance designed for maneuvering in airspace at an altitude greater thantwenty-four inches above ground or water level except that any contrivancenow or hereafter invented of fixed or flexible wing design, operating withoutthe assistance of any motor, engine, or other mechanical propulsive device,which is designed to utilize the feet and legs of the operator or operatorsas the sole means of initiating and sustaining forward motion during thelaunch and of providing the point of contact with the ground upon landing,and commonly called a "hang glider" shall not be included within thisdefinition.

"Public aircraft" means an aircraft used exclusively in the service of anystate, or political subdivision thereof, or the federal government.

"Civil aircraft" means any aircraft other than a public aircraft.

"Airman" means any individual, including the person in command, and anypilot, mechanic, or member of the crew, who engages in the navigation ofaircraft while under way within Virginia airspace, and any individual who isdirectly in charge of the inspection, maintenance, overhauling or repair ofaircraft, aircraft engines, propellers or accessories; and any individual whoserves in the capacity of aircraft dispatcher.

"Airport" means any area of land or water which is used, or intended forpublic use, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, and any appurtenantareas which are used, or intended for use, for airport buildings or otherairport facilities or rights-of-way, easements and together with all airportbuildings and facilities located thereon.

"Landing area" or "landing field" means any locality, whether over landor water, including airports and intermediate landing fields, which is usedor intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, and open tothe public for such use, whether or not facilities are provided for thesheltering, servicing or repair of aircraft, or for receiving or dischargingpassengers or cargo.

"Airspace" means all that space above the land and waters within theboundary of this Commonwealth.

"Drop zone" means any locality whether over land or water which is used, orintended for use, for the landing and recovery of sky divers, or parachutistsusing a parachute or other contrivance designed for sport jumping.

"Department" means the Department of Aviation.

"Commercial aircraft" means any civil aircraft used in flight activity forcompensation or for hire.

"Contract carrier by aircraft" or "contract carrier" means any person,not included under 5.1-89 (c) or (d), who, under special and individualcontracts or agreements, and whether directly or by a lease or any otherarrangement, transports passengers or property by aircraft for compensationand in the transportation of passengers does not charge individual fares.

"Air navigation facility" means any airport ground or air navigationfacility, other than one owned and operated by the United States, used in,available for use in, or designed for use in aid of air navigation, includingany structures, buildings, mechanisms, lights, beacons, markers,communicating systems, or other instrumentalities, or devices, and anycombination of any or all of such facilities, used or useful as an aid, orconstituting any advantage or convenience, to the safe taking off,navigation, and landing of aircraft, in the safe and efficient operation ormaintenance of an airport, in the safe, efficient and convenient handling orprocessing of aviation passengers, mail or cargo, or in the servicing ormaintenance of aircraft or ground equipment.

"Airport hazard" shall mean any structure, object or natural growth, or useof land which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft inlanding or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landingor taking off of aircraft.

(Code 1950, 5-1; 1966, c. 576; 1970, c. 717; 1975, c. 561; 1979, c. 272;1980, c. 721; 1988, c. 588.)