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Be a Courteous Guest at the Airport

It’s important to respect the facility rules because they’re written for a reason.

It's important to respect the rules at the airport. [Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Airports have rules that must be respected, often established due to past issues or to maintain operational efficiency and safety, similar to being a considerate guest.
  • Misusing airport facilities, particularly hangars for non-aeronautical purposes, can violate federal grant assurances, potentially jeopardizing airport funding and depriving other pilots of necessary space.
  • Pilots must practice considerate parking etiquette, avoiding blocking hangars or fuel pumps, and being mindful of prop wash to prevent damage or inconvenience to others.
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One of the first lessons we should learn as children is how to behave when we are guests. Being a guest in someone’s home is a privilege. You need to respect the rules—don’t tease the dog, don’t put your feet on the furniture, and don’t park in the driveway without permission. Unfortunately, some people don’t learn this, and they bring their bad behavior into the world—and the airport.

Respect the Airport; Respect the Rules

Just as the FARs are written in blood—someone made a deadly mistake—the rules at most airports are written because someone did something that created a situation that caused problems for others.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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