hey guys...

this may sound stupid, but does anyone know if its illegal to run a car down the runway at small public airports? I fly and my roomate wanted to run his trans am down the runway at our local airport since he just dropped a built up 383 in it; he has open headers right now so he's afraid to get on it on public roads since its so loud. the dragstrip is too far away to go with open headers, plus the runway is 5000 ft., which gives a bit more room to run it flat out. plus avgas is readily accessible if we want to see what kind of a difference it makes.

I have a little handheld com radio, so we'd be able to monitor traffic and we're planning on doing it on a cloudy day with low ceilings when only IFR traffic will be flying...

if anyone knows anything please let me know... thanks.

 

When I was learning to drive dad took me out to a private runway. Lots of room to mess up .
We got permission from the owner though as it was a rarely used air strip. He said there was nothing illegal about it as long as no planes were landing.

 

In SoCal some airports will close a strip for a day to allow for racing. I would search out for permision first.

 

All i know is that you have to have your lights on when your on the run way. some places tell you to turn on you emergancy flashers on also.

 

If it's a busy airport, you'll either need an escort or a flashing red light on your roof. I've also seen some where you had to fly a flag on your vehicle. I'm sure if it's a busy airport, they wouldn't want anybody racing on their runways.

If it's a small airport, then you'd only need to get permission from whoever runs the place. They may require you to keep your lights and/or flashers on.

 

Definitly DO NOT do it without permission!! You never never never know when someone is downwind or on final. I was flying ito a local airport in Ohio onetime and there was a drunk out on the runway! I landed on the taxi way, and got out and this guy was cussing a storm at me! Saying stuff like "You pilots think you own the road!!" And using very colorful metaphors. As far as the legality, I'm not sure. I wouldn't just go do it when the opertunity appears good, you never know who's watching, and you never know if there's a plane landing. I'd assume that the people in the FBO could press charges, or even the cops would come and get you for reckless opp or something. Again, not sure about it legally, but you definitly need to ask permission, and ask nicly. Tell the guys you'll let them drive your car

Just my Opinion.

 

When I worked Crash Fire Rescue at the local airport, one of my duties was to do a 4:00 AM runway check in case of snow, ice, dead deer, or stalled airplanes on the runways. Before I drove on the runway, I would alert any traffic that I was going to be on the field, but I wouldn't turn on the runway lights. Then if the lights would come on while I was on the pavement, I would know that someone was approaching for a landing or getting ready to take off. If your runway lights are turned on or off by the airplanes radio, you might be able to run your car in the middle of the night. But then again, if you get caught, the FAA will probably throw you in prison.