Definitions.

For the purpose of the laws of this state relating to aeronautics, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings herein given, unless otherwise specifically defined, or unless another intention clearly appears or the context requires otherwise:

(1) AERONAUTICS or AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITIES. The science and art of flight including, but not limited to, transportation by aircraft; the operation, construction, repair, or maintenance of aircraft, aircraft power plants and accessories, including the use, repair, packing, and maintenance of parachutes; the design, establishment, construction, expansion, operation, improvement, repair, or maintenance of airports, restricted landing areas, or other air navigation facilities including the aerial and ground approaches thereto; and instruction in flying or ground subjects pertaining thereto.

(2) AERONAUTICAL INSTRUCTION. The imparting of aeronautical knowledge or information by any aeronautics instructor or in or by any flight school.

(3) AERONAUTICS INSTRUCTOR. Any individual engaged in giving instruction or offering to give instruction in aeronautics, either in flying or ground subjects, or both, pertaining to aeronautics. The term excludes any instructor in a public school, university, or institution of higher learning duly accredited and approved for carrying on collegiate work, who instructs in flying or ground subjects pertaining to aeronautics, only in the performance of the person's duties at a school, university, or institution.

(4) AIRCRAFT. Any contrivance now known, or hereafter invented, used or designed for navigation of or flight through the air.

(5) AIRCRAFT, CIVIL. Any aircraft other than a public aircraft.

(6) AIRCRAFT, COMMERCIAL. Any aircraft engaged in carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire.

(7) AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. Any person or persons who are in charge of, or perform under the supervision of others, the inspection, overhauling, or repair of aircraft and aircraft component parts who have a valid license, certificate, or permit issued by the United States government to be engaged in aeronautical activity.

(8) AIRCRAFT OPERATOR. Any person, including the one in command, and any pilot, mechanic, or member of the crew, who engages in the navigation of aircraft while underway.

(9) AIRCRAFT, PUBLIC. Any aircraft used exclusively in the service of any government or any political subdivision thereof, including the government of any state, territory, or possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, or aircraft of any foreign nation friendly to the United States, but not including any government owned aircraft engaged in carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.

(10) AIRCRAFT FUEL. Any or all distillates, benzine, naptha, benzol, fuel oil, or other volatile and inflammable liquids, gases, or any device or substitute therefor produced, compounded, and used as the propellant for an aircraft.

(11) AIRCRAFT, OPERATION OF. The use of aircraft for the purpose of air navigation and includes the navigation or piloting of aircraft. Any person who causes or authorizes the operation of aircraft, whether with or without the right of legal control, in the capacity of owner, lessee, or otherwise, of the aircraft, shall be deemed to be engaged in the operation of aircraft within the meaning of state law.

(12) AIR NAVIGATION. The operation or navigation of aircraft in the airspace over the lands and waters of the State of Alabama.

(13) AIR NAVIGATION FACILITY. Any facility used in, available for use in, or designed for use in, the aid of air navigation, including airports, restricted landing areas, and any structures, mechanisms, lights, beacons, markers, communicating systems, or other instruments or devices, or similar or different thing, used or useful as an aid or constituting an advantage or convenience to the safe taking off, flight, 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.

(14) AIRPORT. Any area of land, water, or of mechanical construction, except a restricted landing area, which is used, made available, or designed for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, whether or not the facilities are provided for shelter, servicing, or repair of aircraft or for receiving and discharging passengers or cargo and which meets the minimum requirements as to size, design, surfacing, marking, equipment, and management as provided by the Alabama State Department of Transportation and all appurtenant areas used or suitable for airport buildings or other airport facilities and all appurtenant rights-of-way, whether heretofore or hereafter established.

(15) AIRPORT AUTHORITY. The governing body of an airport or restricted landing area that has been formed pursuant to the laws of this state.

(16) AIRPORT HAZARD. Any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous to a landing or taking off.

(17) AIRPORT HAZARD AREA. Any area of land or water upon which an airport hazard might be established within the vicinity of an airport, restricted landing area, or air navigation facility, if not prevented as provided in this article.

(18) AIRPORT MANAGER. Any person who is properly appointed and designated by the airport owner to oversee the operations and maintenance of airports and who is made responsible to the airport owner for the supervision and operation of the airport.

(19) AIRPORT PROTECTION PRIVILEGES. Easements through or other interests in airspace over land or water, interests in airport hazard areas outside the boundaries of airports and 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.

(20) AIRPORT PURPOSES. The term includes airport, restricted landing area, and other air navigation facility purposes.

(21) AIRSPACE, NAVIGABLE. Space in the air over the lands and waters of the State of Alabama that is necessary for aircraft to safely travel through the air above the minimum altitudes of flight that may be prescribed by the State of Alabama or the laws, rules, and regulations of the United States government.

(22) CALENDAR YEAR. The 12-month period from January 1 through December 31.

(23) COMMERCIAL AVIATION. The carriage by aircraft of persons or property for compensation.

(24) COMMISSION. The Alabama Aeronautics Commission.

(25) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama State Department of Transportation.

(26) DIRECTOR. The Director of the Alabama State Department of Transportation.

(27) ENPLANEMENT. Each paying passenger who boards an aircraft for flight at a particular location, excluding through passengers.

(28) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. The government of the United States of America.

(29) FLIGHT SCHOOL. Any person engaged in, giving, or offering to give instruction in aeronautics, either in flying or ground subjects, or both, for or without compensation, hire, or reward, and advertising, representing, or holding himself or herself out as giving or offering to give instruction. The term excludes any public school or university of this state or any institution of higher learning duly accredited and approved for conducting collegiate work.

(30) GROUND SUBJECTS, GROUND INSTRUCTION. A school or a course of instruction in aeronautical subjects, given in a classroom or shop in preparation for, or in the advancement of piloting and navigation of aircraft or of the manufacture, maintenance, and repair of aircraft and their component parts.

(31) MUNICIPALITY. Any city, town, or incorporated village in the State of Alabama.

(32) PASSENGER. Any person riding in an aircraft but having no part in its operation.

(33) PERSON. Any individual, association, partnership, firm, company, corporation, or other association of individuals, or body politic, including any trustee, receiver, assignee, or other similar representative thereof.

(34) PILOT. The term includes aviator, aeronaut, balloonist, and every other person having any part in the navigation of aircraft while in flight.

(35) POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. Any municipality of this state and any other political subdivision, public corporation, authority, or district in this state which is or may be authorized by law to acquire, establish, construct, maintain, improve, and operate airports, restricted landing areas, and other air navigation facilities.

(36) PUBLIC USE AIRPORT. Any area of land or water designed and set aside for the taking off and landing of aircraft and utilized or to be utilized in the interest of the public for such purposes.

(37) RESTRICTED LANDING AREA. Any area of land or water used for the taking off and landing of aircraft, but not limited to airports, the use and operation of which, in the interests of public health and safety, is restricted by the rules, regulations, and orders of the Alabama State Department of Transportation.

(38) RULES AND REGULATIONS. Any or all rules and regulations promulgated under this article by the Alabama State Department of Transportation or which may hereafter be promulgated by the department.

(39) STATE. The State of Alabama.

(40) STRUCTURE. Any object constructed by humans, including without limitation, buildings, towers, smokestacks, overhead transmission lines, or any similar thing.

(Act 2000-220, p. 328, §5.)