MISSISSIPPI SETS AIRPORT RULES

CHARLESTON -- Because the Mississippi County airport is a non-certified airport, county commissioners decide where landings, takeoffs, and taxiing are allowed, according to Junior DeLay, county clerk.

DeLay said during Thursday's county commission meeting that he had spoken with the senior airport inspector for the Division of Aviation of the Missouri Department of Transportation, Ron Deatherage.

With no control tower, it is the responsibility of pilots using the airstrip to watch for other planes on the field and near the airport, according to DeLay. Designated taxiways, surrounding fences, and the 700-foot "safety zone" are not required of non-certified airports.

The commissioners agreed that landings on the grass would still not be allowed due to the potential for ruts, among other reasons.

Commissioners also resolved to request one user with adjacent land to erect a fence to prevent uncontrolled traffic on the airport.