Airport Visitation

[fugalh]

What are the regulations (and where can I find them) about being on the tarmac/ramp/apron/whatever?

Obviously at a major airport you're very restricted where you go (but is this also true at the GA areas of those airports?) But at uncontrolled airports, or small airports with control towers, how do you know when/if it's ok as a civilian without a pilot certificate (yet) to wander around on the ramp (to look at planes, get a better viewing angle for landings, etc.) Of course staying clear of live planes and taxiways and runways is a no-brainer.

[Greg01]

It all depends on the country.

In the USA, at a small towered field with a FBO, i suppose if the FBO lets you, you could go out on their ramp staying out of the movement area.

At an uncontrolled field, you might be a little "free-er". However, again, check with the FBO and be very vigilant because there will be airplanes around with just line boys telling them what to do at the most. Some airport don't even have line boys so BE CAREFUL.

At my airport, uncontrolled, we have some bikers (bicycles, i mean) who will ride their bikes to the airport to watch airplanes. Well, one guy and his two little kids came onto the tarmac as my instructor and i were sitting in an airplane just about five feet away from this guy and his kids. The engine wasn't running, but we were about to start. I called "clear" and waited for them to move. They didn't. I called it again and added a  "move!" They still didn't move. My CFI opened his door and had a quick talk with this guy about getting off the tarmac because he was in the way and we didn't know what his kids were going to do once we started.

BE CAREFUL, call and aks the FBO and stay out of the way of airplanes.

My $.02

Greg

[Studentpilo]

Typically at controlled airports wandering the tarmac is frowned upon if not actually prohibited. Even at class Ds (Like my home MMU) there is a lot going on and if you arent walking to or from the FBO to or from a plane the best thing is to get off the tarmac. At uncontrolled airports though, things are a lot more relaxed. (I love how solberg has an open gate with a grill on the tarmac). You can often just hang around on the tarmac and maybe sit on some benches. But like the other guys said, BE CAREFUL. Props and other HVST (High-velocity spinning things  ) are plentiful. Also dont go running around annoying the pilots, they have a plane with a giant weed-whacker in the front, you dont.