Table of Contents Sec. 15-34. Definitions. For the purpose of the laws of this state relating to aeronautics, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings herein given, unless the
context otherwise requires: Secs. 15-35 to 15-38. Commission and Department of Aeronautics. Director
and deputy director of aeronautics. Oath. Police authority of commissioner and
inspectors. Sections 15-35 to 15-38, inclusive, are repealed. Sec. 15-39. Inspector's credentials. The commissioner shall issue to any salaried
aeronautics inspector of the department, credentials which shall be carried upon the
person of such inspector while in the discharge of official duties. Sec. 15-40. General powers and duties of commission. Section 15-40 is repealed. Sec. 15-41. Regulations and standards. The commissioner may perform such
acts, issue and amend such orders, and make and amend such reasonable general or
special regulations and procedure and establish such minimum standards, consistent
with the provisions of this chapter, as he deems necessary or appropriate, and which are
commensurate with and for the purpose of protecting and insuring the general public
interest and safety, the safety of persons receiving instruction concerning, or operating,
using or traveling in, aircraft, and of persons and property on land or water, and to
develop and promote aeronautics in this state. No regulation of the commissioner shall
apply to airports or other air navigation facilities owned by the federal government
within this state. Secs. 15-42 to 15-42d. State airways system. Long range planning. Declaration
of policy. Research into future state aviation facility needs. Advisory committee.
Receipt of federal and private funds. Consultative services. Sections 15-42 to 15-
42d, inclusive, are repealed. Sec. 15-43. Intervention. The commissioner may participate as party plaintiff or
defendant, or as intervenor on behalf of the state or any municipality or citizen thereof,
in any controversy having to do with any claimed encroachment by the federal government or any foreign state upon any state or individual rights pertaining to aeronautics. Sec. 15-44. Enforcement of aeronautics laws. The commissioner and aeronautics
inspectors of the department, and each state, county and municipal officer charged with
the enforcement of state and municipal laws shall enforce and assist in the enforcement
of this chapter and of all regulations made pursuant thereto, and of all other laws of this
state relating to aeronautics. Sec. 15-45. Investigations. The commissioner may hold investigations, inquiries
and hearings concerning matters covered by the provisions of this chapter, aircraft accidents or orders and regulations of the commissioner. Secs. 15-46 to 15-51. No exclusive rights to be granted. Federal aid; contracts
by commissioner as agent of the state or a municipality. Authority of commission
over state airports. Regulation of motor vehicles on state airports. Agreements for
fire protection. Regulation of aircraft, airmen, airports and air instruction; licenses
and registrations; fees. Sections 15-46 to 15-51, inclusive, are repealed. Sec. 15-52. Operation of aircraft during period of suspension or revocation of
right to operate. No person whose right to operate any aircraft in this state has been
suspended or revoked shall operate any aircraft during the period of such suspension
or revocation. No person shall operate or cause to be operated any aircraft of which the
right to operate has been suspended or revoked. Any person who violates any provision
of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more
than sixty days or both. Sec. 15-53. Licensing of airports and landing areas. Section 15-53 is repealed. Sec. 15-54. Revocation or suspension of right to operate aircraft. The commissioner is authorized to revoke or suspend temporarily or permanently the right to operate
aircraft, when he determines that any aircraft is not airworthy, or that any airman is not
qualified, has wilfully violated the provisions of this chapter or the regulations prescribed
pursuant thereto or any other statute of this state relating to aeronautics, or any Act of
Congress relating to aeronautics, or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto,
or the statutes or rules or regulations of another state relating to aeronautics, is addicted to
the use of narcotics or any other habit-forming drug or to the excessive use of intoxicating
liquor, has made any false statement in any application for registration of a federal license
certificate or permit or has been guilty of other conduct, acts or practices dangerous to
the public safety and the safety of those engaged in aeronautics. Secs. 15-55 to 15-59. Concealment of revocation. Registration or license
voided by fraud. Notice of change of address or change in aircraft. Operation unlawful without license or certificate. Exceptions to registration requirements. Sections 15-55 to 15-59, inclusive, are repealed. Sec. 15-60. Exhibition of licenses and certificates. The federal license, certificate
or permit, and the evidence of registration in another state, if any, required for an airman
shall be kept in the personal possession of the airman when he is operating within this
state and shall be presented for inspection upon the demand of any passenger, any peace
officer of this state, the commissioner, any employee of the department or any manager
or person in charge of any airport in this state upon which he lands. The federal aircraft
license, certificate or permit, and the evidence of registration in another state, if any,
required for aircraft shall be carried in every aircraft operating in this state at all times
and shall be conspicuously posted therein where it may readily be seen by passengers
or inspectors and shall be presented for inspection upon the demand of any passenger,
any peace officer of this state, any official or employee of the department or any manager
or person in charge of any airport in this state upon which it lands. Secs. 15-61 to 15-65. Approval of airports and other air navigation facilities.
Certificates of approval and licenses: Hearings, standards, revocation. Federal
government facilities exempt. Sections 15-61 to 15-65, inclusive, are repealed. Sec. 15-66. Actions of commissioner. Inspections. In any case in which the commissioner refuses to issue a certificate of approval of, or license or renewal of license
for, an airport, restricted landing area, heliport or other air navigation facility, or in any
case in which he issues any order requiring certain things to be done or revoking any
license, he shall set forth his reasons therefor and shall state the requirements to be met
before such approval shall be given, license granted or order modified or changed. Any
order made by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be
served upon the interested persons by registered or certified mail or in person. To carry
out the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner and any official or employee of the
department and any state or municipal officer charged with the duty of enforcing this
chapter may inspect and examine at reasonable hours any premises and the buildings
and other structures thereon where airports, restricted landing areas, heliports, air
schools, flying clubs or other air navigation facilities or aeronautical activities are operated or carried on. No provision of this section shall prohibit the commissioner from
suspending or revoking the right of any person to pilot, or the right to any operation of
any aircraft within this state, for any cause that he deems sufficient, with or without a
hearing. No appeal taken from the action of the commissioner shall act as a stay of
suspension or revocation except with his consent and under such conditions as he may
prescribe. No service of process shall be necessary in connection with any of the prescribed activities of the commissioner. The term of any suspension or revocation shall
commence upon notice thereof by the commissioner. Sec. 15-67. Appeal. An appeal may be taken from any decision of the commissioner rendered under the provisions of this chapter. The procedure in such appeal shall
be the same as that provided in section 14-134 concerning appeals from decisions by
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No appeal taken from the order of a court in a
criminal case, involving the operation of an aircraft without permission of the owner,
the piloting of an aircraft while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs,
reckless flying or evading responsibility for accidents or involving fatal accidents shall
act as a stay to any action or order of the commissioner. Sec. 15-68. Using aircraft without permission. Section 15-68 is repealed. Sec. 15-68a. Unlawful use of aircraft. Any person who operates or uses, or causes
to be operated or used, or tampers or interferes in any way with any aircraft without the
consent of the owner, or who obtains the consent of the owner to the use of his aircraft
by false and fraudulent means, statements or representations, shall be fined not more
than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both for a first
violation, for a second violation shall be imprisoned not more than ten years and for
each subsequent violation shall be imprisoned not more than fifteen years. Sec. 15-69. Tampering or interfering with airports, heliports, landing fields,
airways, security devices or equipment. Circumventing or failing to comply with
security measures. Providing false information or withholding information on documents required by security plans or measures. Penalty. (a) Any person who interferes or tampers with any airport, heliport, landing field or airway or the equipment
thereof or who interferes or tampers with or circumvents, attempts to circumvent or
thwart any security device or equipment installed or who circumvents, attempts to circumvent or fails to comply with security measures or procedures in operation at any
airport shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand
dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or be both fined and imprisoned. Secs. 15-70 and 15-71. Coroner to investigate fatal accidents. Accidents to be
reported. Sections 15-70 and 15-71 are repealed. Sec. 15-71a. Accidents to be reported. Any pilot, whether resident or nonresident,
of a civil aircraft involved in an accident resulting in personal injury or substantial
damage to the aircraft shall immediately notify the commissioner or the state police. If
the pilot or pilots are incapacitated, any person who caused or authorized the operation of
such aircraft at the time of the accident shall be responsible for giving such notification. A
written report shall be filed with the commissioner within fourteen calendar days on a
form prescribed by the commissioner. If requested by the commissioner a written report
may also be required for an aircraft accident when the damage is less than substantial.
The commissioner may make an investigation of such accidents as he deems advisable
or in lieu of a detailed investigation may accept a copy of the final report by a federal
investigation agency. Sec. 15-71b. Aircraft accidents: Definitions. As used in section 15-71a and chapter 267: Sec. 15-72. Flying carelessly, negligently or recklessly. No person shall operate
any aircraft carelessly, negligently or recklessly, or in such a manner as to endanger the
property, life or limb of any person, having regard to the proximity of other aircraft,
weather conditions, field conditions and, while in flight, the territory flown over. Sec. 15-73. Airport protection privileges. Encroachments prohibited. Standards for determining necessity of taking land. Where necessary in order to provide
unobstructed air space for the landing and taking-off of aircraft, in case of airports,
heliports and restricted landing areas acquired or operated by the state, the commissioner, and, in case of municipal airports, the municipality, is granted authority to acquire, in the same manner as is provided for the acquisition of property for airport
purposes, easements through or other interests in air space over land or water, interests
in airport hazards outside the boundaries of the airports, heliports or restricted landing
areas, and such other airport protection privileges as are necessary to insure safe approaches to the landing areas of such airports, heliports and restricted landing areas and
the safe and efficient operation thereof. He is empowered to acquire in the same manner
the right of easement for a term of years or perpetually to place or maintain suitable
marks for the daytime marking and suitable lights for the nighttime marking of airport
hazards for the purpose of maintaining and repairing such lights and marks. No person
shall build, rebuild or create or cause to be built, rebuilt or created any object, or plant,
cause to be planted or permit to grow higher any tree or trees or other vegetation, which
encroach upon any airport protection privileges acquired pursuant to the provisions of
this section. Any such encroachment is declared to be a public nuisance and may be
abated in the manner prescribed by law for the abatement of public nuisances, or the
municipality in charge of the airport, heliport or restricted landing area for which airport
protection privileges have been acquired as provided in this section may go upon the
land of others and remove any such encroachment without being liable for damages in
so doing. Before exercising any of the powers conferred herein, the commissioner shall
establish and publish in detailed form, available to the public, the standards which he
has adopted and will apply in making his determination that public convenience and
necessity require the taking of any parcel of land or interest therein. Sec. 15-74. Removal of obstructions to air navigation. (a) The commissioner
shall notify the owner or person responsible for the existence of any obstacle so located
as to constitute a hazard to aerial navigation or to the efficient or safe use of any airport,
requiring such owner or other person to remove such obstacle within such reasonable
time as is fixed by said commissioner. The owner or owners of such airport shall pay
to the owner of such obstacle just compensation for such removal. Sec. 15-74a. Maintenance or construction of overhead lines and facilities near
public airport runway limited. Definitions. Terms used in this section and sections
15-74b and 15-74c, shall be construed as follows, unless another meaning is expressed
or is clearly apparent from the language or the context: "public service company" means
"public service company" as defined by section 16-1; "public airport" means any state
or municipality owned airport, heliport, restricted landing area or other air navigational
facility or any facility licensed by the Commissioner of Transportation under section
13b-46 except any privately owned airport, heliport, restricted landing area or air navigational facility unless the same has been on file with the Federal Aviation Administration
for a period of at least two years and designated by it as a facility open to the public;
"clear zone" means an area extending for up to one-half mile from the end of a runway
on a public airport and designated by the Commissioner of Transportation as a clear
zone in accordance with regulations adopted by him. Sec. 15-74b. Lines within clear zone prohibited. (a) No public service company
shall construct or maintain any overhead line or facility within the limits of a clear zone. Sec. 15-74c. Permit for lines and facilities within one-half mile of runway. No
public service company shall erect, recable or reconstruct any overhead line or facility
within one-half mile of any airport runway without written permission of the Commissioner of Transportation. Sec. 15-75. Charges and rentals. Liens. The commissioner may determine the
charges or rental for the use of any properties and the charges for any service or accommodations under his control and the terms and conditions under which such properties
may be used; provided the public shall not be deprived of its rightful, equal and uniform
use of such property. The state shall have and the commissioner may enforce liens as
provided by law for repairs to or improvement or storage or care of any personal property. Sec. 15-76. Abandoned aircraft. Lien for storage charges. Notice to commissioner. (a) The commissioner, any employee of the department, any officer attached to
an organized police department, any state police officer or any constable, within his
precinct, upon discovery of any aircraft apparently abandoned, whether situated within
or without any airport or landing field in this state, shall take such aircraft into his
custody and may cause the same to be taken to and stored in a suitable place. All charges
necessarily incurred by such person in the performance of such duty shall be a lien upon
such aircraft. The owner or keeper of any hangar or other place where such aircraft is
stored shall have a lien upon the same for his storage charges. If such aircraft has been
so stored for a period of ninety days, such owner or keeper may sell the same at public
auction for cash, at his place of business, and apply the avails of such sale toward the
payment of his charges and the payment of any debt or obligation incurred by the person
who placed the same in storage, provided such sale shall be advertised three times in a
newspaper published or having a circulation in the town where such hangar or other
place is located, such advertisement to commence at least five days before such sale;
and, if the last place of abode of the owner of such aircraft is known to or may be
ascertained by such hangar owner or keeper by the exercise of reasonable diligence,
notice of the time and place of sale shall be given such owner by mailing such notice
to him in a registered or certified letter, postage paid, at such last usual place of abode,
at least five days before the time of sale. The proceeds of such sale, after deducting the
amount due such hangar owner or keeper and all expenses connected with such sale,
including the expenses of the officer who placed such aircraft in storage, shall be paid
to the owner of such aircraft or his legal representatives, if claimed by him or them, at
any time within one year from the date of such sale. If such balance is not claimed within
said period, it shall escheat to the state. Sec. 15-77. Operating under or carrying passengers under influence of liquor
or drugs. No person shall operate or attempt to operate any aircraft on the ground or
in the air while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of any drug. No person shall
operate or attempt to operate any aircraft on the ground or in the air carrying passengers
who are under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of any drug. Any person who
violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars
or imprisoned not more than sixty days or both, for a first offense, and shall be fined
not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both, upon
any subsequent conviction of a violation of this section. Secs. 15-78 and 15-79. Receipts from convictions; deposit in General Fund.
Municipal and state airports; establishment; state plan of development. Sections
15-78 and 15-79 are repealed. Sec. 15-80. Aviation commissions. (a) Any town, city or borough may, at any
annual or special meeting, warned and held for that purpose, vote to establish an aviation
commission and may determine the number of members of such commission and the
length of the term of office of each. If such vote is in the affirmative, a certificate of
such approval shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of such town, city or borough
and a certified copy thereof shall be filed by such clerk in the office of the Secretary of
the State, who shall record the same. Within ten days after such affirmative vote has
been passed by any town, city or borough, its selectmen, mayor or warden shall appoint
the required number of residents of such town, city or borough as members of such
commission, each of whom shall serve for the term for which he was appointed and
until his successor is appointed and has qualified. Secs. 15-81 to 15-86. Federal and other aid. Commission may act as agent of
municipality for acceptance of federal aid. Contracts by municipality. Municipalities may lease airports. Financial assistance to municipal airports. Technical services to municipalities. Sections 15-81 to 15-86, inclusive, are repealed. Sec. 15-87. Service of process against nonresident owners and operators. Any
nonresident of this state who is the operator or owner of any aircraft and who accepts
the privileges extended by the laws of this state to nonresident operators and owners of
aircraft of using its aviation facilities, or of having the same operated over, or who
operates an airplane above or upon, the territorial limits of this state, shall, by such
operation, be deemed to have appointed the commissioner, his agent and attorney for
the service of process in any civil suit or proceeding instituted in the courts of this state
against such operator or owner arising out of or by reason of any accident or collision,
occurring within or above the state, in which such aircraft is involved. Such process
shall be served by the officer to whom the same is directed upon the commissioner by
leaving at the office of said commissioner, at least twelve days before the return day of
such process, a true and attested copy thereof, and by sending to the defendant at his
last-known address by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, a like true and attested copy, with an endorsement thereon of the service upon said commissioner. The
officer serving such process upon the commissioner shall pay to said commissioner at
the time of service a fee of five dollars, which fee shall be taxed as costs in the case.
Said commissioner shall keep a record of each such process and the day and hour of the
service thereof upon him. This section shall extend the right of service of process upon
nonresidents and shall not limit any existing provisions for the service of process. Such
service shall be sufficient to confer jurisdiction of any such action upon the court to
which such process is returnable, and such court may proceed to determine the issues
in such action and render final judgment with or without any further action by such
court concerning further order of notice to such operator or owner. Sec. 15-88. Airport zoning. Definitions. As used in sections 15-88 to 15-97, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: Sec. 15-89. Public interest. It is declared that an airport hazard endangers the lives
and property of users of the airport and of occupants of land in its vicinity; and, if of
the obstruction type, in effect reduces the size of the area available for the safe landing,
taking-off and maneuvering of aircraft, thus destroying or tending to destroy or impair
the utility of the airport and the public investment therein, and is therefore not in the
interest of public health, public safety or general welfare.
Sec. 15-34. Definitions.
Secs. 15-35 to 15-38. Commission and Department of Aeronautics. Director and deputy director of aeronautics. Oath. Police authority of commissioner and inspectors.
Sec. 15-39. Inspector's credentials.
Sec. 15-40. General powers and duties of commission.
Sec. 15-41. Regulations and standards.
Secs. 15-42 to 15-42d. State airways system. Long range planning. Declaration of policy.
Research into future state aviation facility needs. Advisory committee. Receipt of federal
and private funds. Consultative services.
Sec. 15-43. Intervention.
Sec. 15-44. Enforcement of aeronautics laws.
Sec. 15-45. Investigations.
Secs. 15-46 to 15-51. No exclusive rights to be granted. Federal aid; contracts by commissioner as agent of the state or a municipality. Authority of commission over state airports. Regulation of motor vehicles on state airports. Agreements for fire protection.
Regulation of aircraft, airmen, airports and air instruction; licenses and registrations;
fees.
Sec. 15-52. Operation of aircraft during period of suspension or revocation of right to
operate.
Sec. 15-53. Licensing of airports and landing areas.
Sec. 15-54. Revocation or suspension of right to operate aircraft.
Secs. 15-55 to 15-59. Concealment of revocation. Registration or license voided by fraud.
Notice of change of address or change in aircraft. Operation unlawful without license or
certificate. Exceptions to registration requirements.
Sec. 15-60. Exhibition of licenses and certificates.
Secs. 15-61 to 15-65. Approval of airports and other air navigation facilities. Certificates of approval and licenses: Hearings, standards, revocation. Federal government facilities exempt.
Sec. 15-66. Actions of commissioner. Inspections.
Sec. 15-67. Appeal.
Sec. 15-68. Using aircraft without permission.
Sec. 15-68a. Unlawful use of aircraft.
Sec. 15-69. Tampering or interfering with airports, heliports, landing fields, airways,
security devices or equipment. Circumventing or failing to comply with security measures.
Providing false information or withholding information on documents required by security
plans or measures. Penalty.
Secs. 15-70 and 15-71. Coroner to investigate fatal accidents. Accidents to be reported.
Sec. 15-71a. Accidents to be reported.
Sec. 15-71b. Aircraft accidents: Definitions.
Sec. 15-72. Flying carelessly, negligently or recklessly.
Sec. 15-73. Airport protection privileges. Encroachments prohibited. Standards for determining necessity of taking land.
Sec. 15-74. Removal of obstructions to air navigation.
Sec. 15-74a. Maintenance or construction of overhead lines and facilities near public
airport runway limited. Definitions.
Sec. 15-74b. Lines within clear zone prohibited.
Sec. 15-74c. Permit for lines and facilities within one-half mile of runway.
Sec. 15-75. Charges and rentals. Liens.
Sec. 15-76. Abandoned aircraft. Lien for storage charges. Notice to commissioner.
Sec. 15-77. Operating under or carrying passengers under influence of liquor or drugs.
Secs. 15-78 and 15-79. Receipts from convictions; deposit in General Fund. Municipal and
state airports; establishment; state plan of development.
Sec. 15-80. Aviation commissions.
Secs. 15-81 to 15-86. Federal and other aid. Commission may act as agent of municipality
for acceptance of federal aid. Contracts by municipality. Municipalities may lease airports. Financial assistance to municipal airports. Technical services to municipalities.
Sec. 15-87. Service of process against nonresident owners and operators.
Sec. 15-88. Airport zoning. Definitions.
Sec. 15-89. Public interest.
Sec. 15-90. Airport approach plan.
Sec. 15-91. Adoption of airport zoning regulations.
Sec. 15-92. Airport hazard outside municipality.
Sec. 15-93. Establishment or alteration of structures.
Sec. 15-94. Regulations. Appeals.
Sec. 15-95. Appeals from board of appeals.
Sec. 15-96. Appeal to Department of Public Utility Control.
Sec. 15-97. Penalty.
Sec. 15-98. Connecticut Wing Civil Air Patrol. Clerical assistance.
Sec. 15-99. Crop dusting by aircraft.
Sec. 15-100. Penalties.
Sec. 15-101.
Sec. 15-101a. Charges for copies of records.
Secs. 15-101b to 15-101j.
(1) "Aeronautics" means transportation by aircraft; the operation, repair or maintenance of aircraft or aircraft engines except by a manufacturer, including the repair,
packing and maintenance of parachutes; the design, establishment, construction, extension, operation, improvement, repair or maintenance of airports, heliports, restricted
landing areas or other air navigation facilities, and air instruction.
(2) "Air instruction" means the imparting of aeronautical information by any aeronautics instructor or in or by any air school or flying club.
(3) "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.
(4) "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, heliports, 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, heliport or restricted landing area, and any combination of
such facilities.
(5) "Aircraft" means any contrivance used or designed for navigation of or flight
in air, including (a) airplanes, meaning power-driven fixed-wing aircraft, heavier than
air, supported by the dynamic reaction of the air against their wings; (b) gliders, meaning
heavier than air aircraft, the free flight of which does not depend principally upon a
power-generating unit, and (c) rotorcraft, meaning power-driven aircraft, heavier than
air, supported during flight by one or more rotors.
(6) "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 any individual 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 him)
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.
(7) "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.
(8) "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, heliport or restricted landing area or is otherwise hazardous to such landing
or taking-off.
(9) "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,
heliports 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,
heliports and restricted landing areas and the safe and efficient operation thereof.
(10) "Careless, negligent or reckless operation" means the operation or piloting of
any aircraft carelessly, negligently, recklessly or in such manner as to endanger the
property, life or limb of any person, due regard being had to the proximity of other
aircraft, the prevailing weather conditions and the territory being flown over.
(11) "Civil aircraft" means any aircraft other than a public aircraft.
(12) Repealed by 1972, P.A. 134, S. 6.
(13) "Department" means the Department of Transportation of this state.
(14) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Transportation of this state.
(15) "Flying club" means any person other than an individual which, neither for
profit nor reward, owns, leases or uses one or more aircraft for the purpose of instruction
or pleasure or both.
(16) "Manufacturer" means a person, partnership, association, limited liability
company or corporation which, during the calendar year preceding application for registration, manufactured or assembled one or more aircraft for sale, or which proves to the
satisfaction of the commissioner that it intends in good faith to manufacture or assemble
one or more aircraft for sale during the year immediately ensuing.
(17) "Municipality" means any city, town or borough or other subdivision of this
state.
(18) "Navigable air space" means air space above the minimum altitudes of flight
prescribed by the laws of this state or by regulations of the commissioner consistent
therewith.
(19) "Nonresident" means any person whose legal residence is outside this state.
(20) "Operation of aircraft" means 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 thereof,
shall be deemed to be engaged in the operation of aircraft within the meaning of the
statutes of this state.
(21) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, company, association, joint stock association or body politic and includes
any trustee, receiver, assignee or other similar representative thereof.
(22) "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 does not
include any government-owned aircraft engaged in carrying persons or property for
commercial purposes.
(23) "Restricted landing area" means any area of land or 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 commissioner.
(24) Repealed by P.A. 85-130.
(25) Repealed by P.A. 77-614, S. 609, 610.
(26) Repealed by P.A. 77-614, S. 609, 610.
(27) "Heliport" means an area of defined dimensions, either at ground level or elevated on a structure, designated for the landing and take off of helicopters, which may
be restricted solely for that purpose.
(28) "Ultra light aircraft" means (1) any aircraft which meets the criteria established
by the Federal Aviation Administration, federal Air Regulation Part 103, or (2) any
vehicle which: (A) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation by a single
occupant in the air; (B) is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes
only; (C) has not been issued an airworthiness certificate by the government of the
United States or any foreign government; and (D) if unpowered, weighs less than one
hundred fifty-five pounds or, if powered, weighs less than two hundred fifty-four
pounds, empty weight, has a fuel capacity of no more than five U.S. gallons, is not
capable of more than fifty-five knots calibrated air speed at full power in level flight
and has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed twenty-four knots calibrated air
speed.
(1949 Rev., S. 4782; 1959, P.A. 501; 1961, P.A. 41; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 161−165; 1972, P.A. 134, S. 6; P.A. 77-614,
S. 609, 610; P.A. 85-130; 85-262, S. 5; P.A. 86-403, S. 31, 32, 132; P.A. 87-589, S. 23, 87; P.A. 95-79, S. 43, 44, 189.)
History: 1959 act amended Subdiv. (5) by adding the phrase beginning "including," amended Subdiv. (18) which
formerly read a person having no place of abode or business in the state for more than ninety days in a year and amended
Subsec. (22) by adding "careless" and "negligent" to "reckless," including proximity of other aircraft as a consideration
and deleting consideration of field conditions; 1961 act added "other subdivision" to definition of municipality and redefined
"aircraft" to delete specific mention of airplanes, gliders and rotorcraft; 1969 act replaced "commission", referring to
repealed Connecticut aeronautics commission, with "commissioner", referring to commissioner of transportation, replaced
department of aeronautics with department of transportation, replaced director of aeronautics with commissioner of transportation and added Subdivs. (25) and (26) defining "bureau" and "deputy commissioner"; 1972 act repealed Subdiv. (12)
re Connecticut aeronautics commission; P.A. 77-614 repealed Subdivs. (25) and (26), effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 85-
130 repealed former Subdiv. (24) which defined "state airway"; P.A. 85-262 added references to heliports throughout
section and added Subdivs. (27) and (28) defining "heliport" and "ultra light aircraft"; P.A. 86-403 made technical changes
in Subdivs. (5) and (16); P.A. 87-589 made technical change in Subdiv. (5); P.A. 95-79 redefined "manufacturer" and
"person" to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995.
Subsec. (10):
See Sec. 15-72 re careless, negligent or reckless flying.
Cited. 201 C. 700, 706.
Cited. 35 CS 157, 167.
Subsec. (1):
Cited. 201 C. 700, 706.
Subsec. (7):
Zones are embraced within "airport protection privileges" and are not part of "airports" per se. 159 C. 453, 472.
Subsec. (8):
Cited. 185 C. 145, 146.
Subsec. (9):
See 159 C. 453, 472, above.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4783, 4784, 4793, 4794; June, 1955, S. 2408d; 1959, P.A. 307; 1961, P.A. 12; 298; 1969, P.A. 768, S.
167, 263; P.A. 77-614, S. 552, 610; P.A. 85-327, S. 2.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 4795; June, 1955, S. 2409d; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 168; P.A. 85-327, S. 1.)
History: 1969 act replaced "commission" with "commissioner" and "his duties" with "official duties"; P.A. 85-327
applied provisions specifically to "salaried" inspectors and deleted reference to inspectors' authority to make arrests.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4785; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 263.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 4786; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 169.)
History: 1969 act replaced "commission" with "commissioner" and made technical changes to language.
See chapter 54 re uniform administrative procedure.
Cited. 201 C. 700, 706. Cited. 211 C. 690, 692.
Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 250.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4787; 1967, P.A. 502, S. 1−4; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 263.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 4788; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 170.)
History: 1969 act replaced "commission" with "commissioner".
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(1949 Rev., S. 4789; 1961, P.A. 57; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 171; 1972, P.A. 134, S. 3; P.A. 77-614, S. 553, 610.)
History: 1961 act substituted deputy for assistant director; 1969 act substituted commissioner of transportation and
deputy commissioner for aeronautics for director and deputy director of aeronautics and replaced department of aeronautics
with bureau of aeronautics; 1972 act deleted reference to abolished aeronautics commission; P.A. 77-614 deleted references
to deputy commissioner and to bureau of aeronautics and specified inspectors to be aeronautics inspectors of the department,
effective January 1, 1979.
Cited. 185 C. 145, 148. Cited. 211 C. 690, 692.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4790; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 172.)
History: 1969 act replaced references to commission, commission members and its director with references to commissioner of transportation and deleted provision re administration of oaths and subpoena power.
Cited. 211 C. 690, 692.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4791, 4792, 4796, 4817; 1949, S. 2410d, 2433d, 2434d; 1957, P.A. 498; September, 1957, P.A. 8; 1959,
P.A. 391, S. 1; 569, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 34; 55; 1963, P.A. 237; 426; 1969, P.A. 421, S. 1; 460, S. 1; 768, S. 173, 263; 1972,
P.A. 207, S. 11; June, 1972, P.A. 1, S. 8.)
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(1949, S. 2432d; 1972, P.A. 207, S. 1.)
History: 1972 act deleted references to airman's license, registration of aircraft and refusal of license or registration.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4797; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 263.)
See Sec. 13b-46.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4798; 1949, S. 2411d; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 174; 1972, P.A. 207, S. 2.)
History: 1969 act replaced aeronautics commission with commissioner of transportation; 1972 act deleted references
to licenses and registrations of aircraft, airmen and aeronautics instructors.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4799−4803; 1959, P.A. 326; February, 1965, P.A. 288, S. 1, 2; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 175−178; 1971, P.A.
451, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 207, S. 11; June, 1972, P.A. 1, S. 8.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 4804; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 130; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 179; 1972, P.A. 134, S. 4; 207, S. 3; P.A. 77-614, S.
554, 610.)
History: 1961 act substituted deputy director for assistant director; 1969 act replaced director and deputy director of
aeronautics with commissioner of transportation and deputy commissioner for aeronautics and substituted "any official"
for "any member of the commission, the director, the deputy director"; 1972 acts deleted reference to "any member of
the commission" and deleted words "this or" in phrase "this or another state"; P.A. 77-614 deleted reference to deputy
commissioner for aeronautics, effective January 1, 1979.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4805−4809; 1959, P.A. 292; 1961, P.A. 32; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 263.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 4810; 1961, P.A. 323; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 180; 1972, P.A. 207, S. 4; P.A. 85-262, S. 6.)
History: 1961 act substituted deputy director for assistant director; 1969 act replaced aeronautics commission with
commissioner of transportation and replaced reference to commission members, director and deputy director with "official";
1972 act deleted references to registration and airman's licenses, replaced "nonresident" with "person" and deleted provision re notice of suspension or revocation of registration or airman's license; P.A. 85-262 extended the provisions of this
section to heliports.
Cited. 201 C. 700, 706.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4811; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 181.)
History: 1969 act replaced "commission", referring to aeronautics commission, with "commissioner", referring to
commissioner of transportation.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4812; 1961, P.A. 56, S. 1.)
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(1961, P.A. 56, S. 2; February, 1965, P.A. 467.)
History: 1965 act added crime of tampering or interfering in any way with aircraft.
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(b) Any person who knowingly or intentionally provides false information, makes
a false written statement or withholds relevant information on any application or other
document required by airport or airplane operator security plans or measures pursuant
to federal law and regulations which is submitted to any airport owner or operator, air
carrier, airport tenant, concessionaire or contractor shall be fined not more than one
thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned.
(1949 Rev., S. 4813; P.A. 85-427, S. 5; P.A. 97-304, S. 28.)
History: P.A. 85-427 extended provision of section to heliports and increased minimum fine from fifty to two hundred
dollars; P.A. 97-304 divided section into two Subsecs., designated existing language as Subsec. (a) and inserted in Subsec.
(a) prohibitions re any person "who interferes or tampers with or circumvents, attempts to circumvent or thwart any security
device or equipment installed or who circumvents, attempts to circumvent or fails to comply with security measures or
procedures in operation at any airport", and added new language in Subsec. (b) re prohibition and penalty for "any person
who knowingly or intentionally provides false information, makes a false written statement or withholds relevant information on any application or other document required by airport or airplane operator security plans or measures pursuant to
federal law and regulations".
Cited. 14 CA 804.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4814, 4820; 1959, P.A. 481, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 182; P.A. 80-190, S. 14.)
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(1959, P.A. 481, S. 1; February, 1965, P.A. 468, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 309, S. 2; 768, S. 183; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 587, 610;
P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 85-110, S. 1.)
History: 1965 act raised reportable amount from one to three hundred dollars; 1969 acts replaced references to damage
where repair estimate is three hundred dollars or more with references to "substantial" damage and substituted "commissioner", referring to commissioner of transportation, for "commission", referring to aeronautics commission; P.A. 77-614
and P.A. 78-303 made state police department a division within the department of public safety, effective January 1, 1979;
P.A. 85-110 changed the period by which a written accident report shall be submitted to the commissioner from seven
days to fourteen calendar days.
See Sec. 15-104 re report of accidents under Uniform Aircraft Financial Responsibility Act.
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(a) "Aircraft accident" means an occurrence associated with the operation of an
aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the
intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked, in which any
person suffers death or serious injury as a result of such person being in or upon the
aircraft or in direct contact with the aircraft or anything attached thereto or as a result
of the operation of the aircraft, or the aircraft receives substantial damage;
(b) "Operator" means any person who causes or authorizes the operation of an aircraft, such as the owner, lessee or bailee of an aircraft;
(c) "Substantial damage" means damage or structural failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the aircraft, and
which would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component,
except that engine failure, damage limited to an engine, bent fairings or cowling, dented
skin, small punctured holes in the skin of fabric, ground damage to rotor or propeller
blades and damage to landing gear, wheels, tires, flaps, engine accessories, brakes or
wing tips are not considered "substantial damage" for the purpose of this part.
(1969, P.A. 309, S. 1.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 4815; 1959, P.A. 299.)
History: 1959 act added careless and negligent operation to prohibited acts and consideration of the proximity of other
aircraft to items for which regard is to be had.
See Sec. 15-34(10) for definition of "careless, negligent or reckless operation".
See Sec. 15-77 re operation of aircraft or carrying passengers while under the influence of liquor or drugs.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4818; 1967, P.A. 802; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 184; P.A. 85-262, S. 7.)
History: 1967 act required that commission publish standards adopted re determining that land taking is necessary;
1969 act replaced "commission", referring to aeronautics commission, with "commissioner", referring to commissioner
of transportation; P.A. 85-262 extended the provisions of this section to heliports.
Extension and maintenance of clear zones into town require, as condition precedent, approval of town in manner
provided in section 15-79 when land is taken for airport establishment or expansion. 159 C. 453, 472, 473. Sec. 13b-43
and this section provide a vehicle for a municipality to acquire interests in airport hazards to ensure safe and efficient
operation of an airport. 185 C. 145, 149−151, 153−155. Cited. 201 C. 700, 706. Cited. 230 C. 140, 143, 144, 146−148.
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(b) In the case of an application for an approval or a license from the commissioner
for a commercial airport, if there is any obstacle at or near the landing area which would
violate the minimum physical standards for commercial airports adopted by the commissioner under section 15-41 and the removal of such obstacle is a prerequisite for the
approval or license, the commissioner shall notify the owner or person responsible for
the existence of the obstacle, requiring him to remove it within such time as the commissioner determines. The applicant for the approval or license shall pay the owner of the
obstacle just compensation for its removal.
(c) Any person aggrieved by the action of said commissioner in relation to the
removal of an obstacle under subsection (a) or (b) of this section may appeal therefrom
to the superior court for the judicial district within which such obstacle is located or to
any judge thereof in vacation; but, if the ground of appeal is a disagreement as to the
amount of such compensation, the removal of such obstacle shall not be delayed pending
the determination of such amount.
(1949 Rev., S. 4829; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 185; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 41; P.A. 76-436, S. 353, 681; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 127;
P.A. 83-238.)
History: 1969 act replaced "commission", referring to aeronautics commission, with "commissioner", referring to
commissioner of transportation; 1971 act replaced superior court with court of common pleas, effective September 1, 1971,
except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending matters deemed transferable; P.A. 76-436 replaced
court of common pleas with superior court and added reference to judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 78-280
deleted reference to counties; P.A. 83-238 made existing section Subsecs. (a) and (c) and added Subsec. (b), providing for
removal of obstacles at or near certain landing areas.
Cited. 185 C. 145, 148, 151, 153−155.
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(1971, P.A. 678, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 96, S. 1; P.A. 85-262, S. 8.)
History: 1972 act replaced "electric company" definition with "public service company" definition; P.A. 85-262 added
references to heliports.
Cited. 201 C. 700, 706.
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(b) (1) Immediately upon July 6, 1971, the Commissioner of Transportation shall
establish clear zones, in accordance with regulations adopted by him, for all public
airport runways, and shall establish a list of priorities for the abatement or correction
of encroachments thereon by public service companies. (2) Subject to the availability
of funds, said commissioner shall from time to time order the relocation, removal or
such other appropriate corrective action as he deems necessary to abate or correct such
encroachments on clear zones.
(c) Where overhead lines already exist within the limits of an established clear zone
the Commissioner of Transportation shall reimburse the owner public service company
for the cost of relocation, removal or other corrective measures approved by him. Funds
required for the implementation of this section shall be appropriated from existing and
future appropriations for state aid to airports in accordance with regulations adopted by
the Commissioner of Transportation.
(1971, P.A. 678, S. 2-4; 1972, P.A. 96, S. 2.)
History: 1972 act replaced "electric company" with "public service company", deleted word "transmission" modifying
"lines" and amended Subsec. (c) by specifying that appropriations be made in accordance with commissioner's regulations.
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(1971, P.A. 678, S. 5; 1972, P.A. 96, S. 3.)
History: 1972 act replaced "electric company" with "public service company" and deleted word "transmission" modifying "lines".
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(1949 Rev., S. 4819; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 186.)
History: 1969 act replaced "commission", referring to "aeronautics commission", with "commissioner", referring to
commissioner of transportation.
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(b) If the owner of such aircraft placed in storage in accordance with the provisions
of this section fails to claim such aircraft within sixty days, the owner of such hangar
or other place of storage shall, within thirty days thereafter, send a written notice to the
commissioner, stating the make, type, engine number and identification number of such
aircraft and the date such aircraft was left with him for storage and by whom, which notice
shall be placed on file by the commissioner and shall be subject to public inspection. Any
sale under the provisions of this section shall be void, unless the notice required by this
section has been given to said commissioner.
(1949 Rev., S. 4821; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 131; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 187; 1972, P.A. 134, S. 5; 207, S. 5; P.A. 77-614, S.
555, 610; P.A. 00-99, S. 52, 154.)
History: 1961 act substituted deputy director for assistant director in Subsec. (a); 1969 act replaced "commission"
and "director", referring to aeronautics commission and director, with "commissioner", referring to commissioner of
transportation and replaced "deputy director" with "deputy commissioner for the bureau of aeronautics"; 1972 acts deleted
references to commission members and to aircraft registrations; P.A. 77-614 deleted reference to deputy commissioner,
effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 00-99 deleted reference to sheriff in Subsec. (a), effective December 1, 2000.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4822.)
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(1949 Rev., S. 4823, 4824; 1955, S. 2412d; 1959, P.A. 290; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 132; 1963, P.A. 252, S. 1; 1967, P.A.
694, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 263.)
See Secs. 13b-42 to 13b-44, inclusive, re state and municipal airports.
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(b) Such aviation commission shall be charged with the administration of such local
ordinances as may, from time to time, be enacted, concerning airports, landing fields
and aeronautics.
(1949 Rev., S. 696.)
Cited. 211 C. 690, 694, 695.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4825−4828; 1955, S. 2423d; June, 1955, S. 2424d, 2425d; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 93; 138; 1967, P.A. 377,
S. 1; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 263.)
See Sec. 13b-50.
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(1949 Rev., S. 4831−4834; 1959, P.A. 322, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 188.)
History: 1959 act increased fee for service of process on director; 1969 act replaced "director of aeronautics" and
"director" with "commissioner", referring to commissioner of transportation.
See Sec. 15-106 re policy or bond requirements.
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(a) "Airport" means any area of land or water designed for the landing and taking-
off of aircraft and utilized or to be utilized by the public as a point of arrival or departure
by air navigation.
(b) "Airport hazard" means any structure or tree which obstructs or may hereafter
obstruct the aerial approaches of a publicly-owned airport.
(c) An airport is "publicly-owned" if the portion thereof used for the landing and
taking-off of aircraft is owned or operated by a governmental body, political subdivision,
public agency or other public corporation.
(d) "Structure" means any object constructed or installed by man, including such
objects although regulated or licensed by other provisions of law.
(e) "Tree" means any object of natural growth.
(1953, S. 2413d.)
Cited. 185 C. 145, 148.
Subsec. (b):
Cited. 185 C. 145, 146.
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(1953, S. 2414d.)
Cited. 185 C. 145, 148.