(a) Except in an emergency or as otherwise provided in this subsection (a), it shall be unlawful for any person operating a helicopter or any other rotary wing aircraft capable of vertical landing and takeoff to use, or to attempt to use, or to cause or to permit to be used, any property to land or take off any helicopter or rotary wing aircraft unless such property is a public airport or a heliport licensed under Chapter 4-83 of this Code. Provided, however, that in the event of a medical or other emergency, a governmental body or agency may use property other than a public airport or duly licensed heliport to land or take off any helicopter or other rotary wing aircraft owned or operated by or under the control of such governmental body or agency.
(b) Except in an emergency, it shall be unlawful for any person operating a helicopter or any other rotary wing aircraft capable of vertical landing and takeoff to use or to attempt to use or to permit or to cause others to use any heliport to land or takeoff such helicopter or rotary wing aircraft at any heliport with a maximum design load less than the maximum gross takeoff weight of such aircraft as determined by the Federal Aviation Administration.
(c) Any person who violates any requirement of this section shall be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $5,000.00 for each offense. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(d) As used in this section, the term "other rotary wing aircraft capable of vertical landing and takeoff" does not include small unmanned aircraft, public aircraft or toy aircraft, as defined in Section 10-36-400.
(Added Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19185, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-18-15, p. 13524, § 3)
Editor's note – Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19185, § 3, repealed former § 10-36-380, which pertained to heliport definitions, classifications, and operation requirements.