Anybody need a Airport Beacon?

[RV8505]

It sure would look cool on a private airport.

http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=93&acctid=1232 (http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=93&acctid=1232)

[Joe LaMantia]

Yes, but I wouldn't turn it on before getting some legal advice on the liabilities involved.

Joe:cool:

[Frank Giger]

What possible liablity could one get from installing a VASI or becon tower at a private airport?

[Jim Hann]

Yes, but I wouldn't turn it on before getting some legal advice on the liabilities involved.

Joe:cool:

What possible liablity could one get from installing a VASI or becon tower at a private airport?
Frank I think he is talking about the implications of having a misleading beacon on at night, not the VASI.

[Frank Giger]

I doubt anyone would have their beacon on regularly.

But let's assume that one did have a beacon on for their FAA approved private airport. If a pilot lands at the wrong airfield, he's landed at the wrong airfield.

If I land at the wrong airfield, is it the airfield's fault, or is it my responsibility as the PIC for proper navigation? If the field is FAA listed, the limitations like size and type are available. If somebody puts down their Baron on a 1000' grass strip and runs into a cow pasture on the other end, "but there was a beacon and a VASI and I mistook it for the Anyole County Airport" isn't going to wash with anyone.

Indeed, the owner of the property should be able to sue the pilot for any damages, as it would represent gross negligence on the part of the pilot.

[Joe LaMantia]

Frank,

This is a country full of Attorneys, who look for any and every possible opportunity to file a suit. Go ahead and turn your beacon on and see what happens, or talk to one of these legal eagles first and find out from an expert if your taking on any risks...the choice is yours. For warned is for armed!

Joe
:cool:

[Jim Hann]

But let's assume that one did have a beacon on for their FAA approved private airport. If a pilot lands at the wrong airfield, he's landed at the wrong airfield.
Frank, poor choice of words on my part. I meant if the beacon/airport is not approved and noted on the charts. If the FAA has it noted, then it wouldn't be misleading.

Honestly I can't remember the last beacon I was actually able to pick out at a large airline served airport, they are usually lost in the light pollution.

[58boner]

I think the original warning was intended for someone like me who might be tempted to stick the beacon up in their front yard where there is no airport. At least that's the way I took it. Would be cool though. Might piss off the neighbors. I thought better of it forwarded it to my buddy who has an airport, sans beacon, and the equipment to perform the salvage operation.

[Frank Giger]

But it would lead to some darned-near error proof directions to one's house.

"Turn left on Farm Road and go about half a mile. We're the one with the huge rotating beacon and the collection of Cessna parts in the front yard."

[CarlOrton]

Y'know, it'd almost be worth it just to get the HOA's reaction. Wonder how many would go apoplectic?

[WLIU]

Well, I live on a private airport and the state gave us VASI's and we have a beacon. And runway lights. So I believe that the liability concerns do not exist. We are supposed to have that equipment for night operations. No complaints from the neighbors so far after many many years.

And we have an ornamental windsock down at the corner which folks may or may not use for directions. Since the runway ends at the road we commonly get cars that stop and watch when one of the residents is doing a runup before departing.

It only gets real interesting when someone crashes in your yard. They don't put that in the "living at and airport" brochures. But those stories are for another thread.

Best of luck,

Wes
NH16