The purpose of this chapter is to further the public interest and aeronautical progress by providing for the protection and promotion of safety in aeronautics; by cooperating in effecting a uniformity of the laws relating to the development and regulation of aeronautics in the several states; by granting to a state agency such powers and imposing upon it such duties that the State may properly perform its functions relative to aeronautics and effectively exercise its jurisdiction over persons and property within such jurisdiction, may assist in the promotion of a statewide system of airports, may cooperate with and assist the political subdivisions of this State and others engaged in aeronautics, and may encourage and develop aeronautics; by establishing uniform regulations, consistent with federal regulations and those of other states, in order that those engaged in aeronautics of every character may so engage with the least possible restriction, consistent with the safety and the rights of others; and by providing for cooperation with the federal authorities in the development of a national system of civil aviation and for coordination of the aeronautical activities of those authorities and the authorities of this State by assisting in accomplishing the purposes of federal legislation and eliminating costly and unnecessary duplication of functions properly in the province of federal agencies.

Code 1935, c. 167;  45 Del. Laws, c. 301, §  2;  2 Del. C. 1953, §  101; 

For the purpose of this part or any other laws of this State relating to aeronautics, unless otherwise specifically defined, or unless another intention clearly appears or the context requires a different meaning:

(1) “Aeronautics” or “aviation” means transportation by aircraft; the operation, construction, repair, or maintenance of aircraft, aircraft power plants and accessories, including the repair, packing, and maintenance of parachutes; the design, establishment, construction, extension, operation, improvement, repair, or maintenance of airports, restricted landing areas, or other air navigation facilities, and air instruction.

(2) “Aeronautics instructor” means any individual engaged in giving instruction, or offering to give instruction, in aeronautics, either in flying or ground subjects, or both, for hire or reward, without advertising such occupation, without calling the facilities an “air school” or anything equivalent thereto, and without employing or using other instructors; but it does not include any instructor in any public school or university of this State, or any institution of higher learning duly accredited and approved for carrying on collegiate work, while engaged in the duties as such instructor.

(3) “Air instruction” means the imparting of aeronautical information by any aeronautics instructor or in or by any air school or flying club.

(4) “Air navigation” means the operation or navigation of aircraft in the air space over this State, or upon any airport or restricted landing area within this State.

(5) “Air navigation facility” means any facility other than one owned or controlled by the federal government, used in, available for use in, or designed for use in, aid of air navigation, including airports, restricted landing areas, and any structures, mechanisms, lights, beacons, marks, communicating systems, or other instrumentalities or devices used or useful as an aid, or constituting an advantage or convenience, to the safe taking-off, navigation, and landing of aircraft, or the safe and efficient operation or maintenance of an airport or restricted landing area, and any combination of any or all of such facilities.

(6) “Air school” means any person engaged in giving, or offering to give, instruction, in aeronautics, either in flying or ground subjects, or both, for or without hire or reward, and advertising, representing, or holding himself or herself out as giving or offering to give such instruction; but it does not include any public school or university of this State, or any institution of higher learning duly accredited and approved for carrying on collegiate work.

(7) “Aircraft” means any contrivance known, or invented, used or designed for navigation of or flight in the air.

(8) “Airman” means any individual who engages, as the person in command, or as pilot, mechanic, or member of the crew, in the navigation of aircraft while under way; and (excepting individuals employed outside the United States, any individual employed by a manufacturer of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, or appliances to perform duties as inspector or mechanic in connection therewith, and any individual performing inspection or mechanical duties in connection with aircraft owned or operated by such individual) any individual who is directly in charge of the inspection, maintenance, overhauling, or repair of aircraft engines, propellers, or appliances; and any individual who serves in the capacity of aircraft dispatcher or air-traffic control-tower operator.

(9) “Airport” means any area, of land or water, except a restricted landing area, which is designed for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or repair of aircraft, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo, and all appurtenant areas used or suitable for airport buildings or other airport facilities, and all appurtenant rights-of-way.

(10) “Airport approach area” means all that area lying within and below an inclined plane as defined in Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 77.

(11) “Airport hazard” means any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land, which obstructs the air space required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at any airport or restricted landing area or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off.

(12) “Airport protection privileges” means easements through or other interests in air space over land or water, interests in airport hazards outside the boundaries of airports or restricted landing areas, and other protection privileges, the acquisition or control of which is necessary to insure safe approaches to the landing areas of airports and restricted landing areas and the safe and efficient operation thereof.

(13) “Airport purposes” means and includes airport, restricted landing area, and other air navigation facility purposes.

(14) “Civil aircraft” means any aircraft other than a public aircraft.

(15) “Department” means the Department of Transportation.

(16) “Flying club” means any person other than an individual, which, neither for profit nor reward, owns, leases or uses 1 or more aircraft for the purpose of instruction or pleasure or both.

(17) “Helicopter landing site” means a heliport, helistop or helipad or any other surface used or usable for helicopter operations as defined in FAR Part 77.

(18) “Municipality” means any “political subdivision,” as defined in this section.

(19) “Navigable air space” means air space above the minimum altitudes of flight prescribed by the laws of this State or by regulations of the Department consistent therewith.

(20) “Obstruction” means any physical hazard to flight constructed, installed or planted by humans, whether real or artificial, including, but not limited to, buildings, trees, towers, smokestacks and overhead transmission lines.

(21) “Operation of aircraft” or “operate aircraft” means the use of aircraft for the purpose of air navigation, and includes the navigation or piloting of aircraft.

(22) “Person” or “whoever” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association or body politic; and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or other similar representative thereof.

(23) “Political subdivision” means any county, hundred, city, village, town or borough of this State and any other public corporation, authority or district in this State authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, maintain, improve and operate airports and other air navigation facilities.

(24) “Public aircraft” means an aircraft used exclusively in the service of any government or of any political subdivision thereof, including the government of any state, territory or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia, but not including any government-owned aircraft engaged in carrying persons or property for commercial purposes.

(25) “Public use airport” means an airport open for use by the public for general aviation purposes.

(26) “Restricted landing area” means any area of land, water or both which is used or is made available for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, the use of which shall, except in case of emergency, be only as provided from time to time by the Department.

(27) “Runway approach area” means an imaginary trapezoidal shape, beginning at the end of a runway with an initial width parallel to the runway end extending for a distance of 500 feet from each side of the runway centerline, running lengthwise from the runway end along said centerline for a distance of 3000 feet and ending with a line parallel to the runway end extending for a distance of 875 feet from each side of said runway centerline, pursuant to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13.

(28) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.

(29) “State airway” means a route in the navigable air space over and above the lands or water of this State, designated by the Department as a route suitable for air navigation.

36 Del. Laws, c. 249, §  1;  Code 1935, §  5764;  45 Del. Laws, c. 300, §  1;  45 Del. Laws, c. 301, §  1;  2 Del. C. 1953, §  102;  56 Del. Laws, c. 268, §  3;  57 Del. Laws, c. 671, §§  11A, B;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  25;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 575, §  1;  74 Del. Laws, c. 201, §  1; 

In accordance with the intent and purpose of this chapter, as set forth therein, the Department is authorized to appoint and select members of a Delaware Aviation Advisory Council (DAAC), to assist the Department in furthering and promoting the interests of aviation in Delaware, as defined by Part I of this title. The Delaware Aviation Advisory Council shall serve in an advisory capacity and in that role shall have such power and authority as may be granted by the Secretary to recommend measures consistent with the intent and purposes set forth in this chapter. Such measures may include but are not limited to: supporting the Department in the planning and implementation of aviation system enhancements; supporting and promoting aviation education; recommending new or improvements to existing locations, facilities, programs, projects, equipment; and recommending other related activities to support and improve aviation. The Delaware Aviation Advisory Council shall consist of 9 members, which shall include at the least 1 representative from each of the following:

(1) A Fixed Base Operator (FBO);

(2) The Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA);

(3) An aviation education representative;

(4) A representative from corporate aviation;

(5) One representative each from New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties; and

(6) Two at large members selected by the Secretary.

74 Del. Laws, c. 201, §  2;