ARLINGTON – Santa’s flight plan just got one step smoother.
The Arlington City Council passed a resolution Monday granting Santa’s sleigh and reindeer permission to use the city’s airspace Dec. 24 and 25 in any given year.
Given Arlington Airport’s rich tradition of welcoming experimental aircraft, St. Nick’s sleigh should fit right in.
Indeed, the city’s Airport Commission had already given its approval earlier.
The resolution, which was presented by teenagers on the local civil air patrol, also included the following provisions:
* All flying reindeer and sleighs should observe federal aviation rules.
* All sleighs should follow established flying patterns over Arlington Airport.
* The lead reindeer should be equipped with an illuminated nose.
* When using the airport, all foreign debris objects such as toys and presents should be cleaned up immediately.
* All sleighs should yield to medical evacuation flights.
Mayor Margaret Larson was happy to support the resolution.
“I’m glad the Airport Commission is looking out for our citizens and Santa,” Larson said.
Bea Randall, a former Arlington city councilwoman, first broached the idea with the civil air patrol as a holiday lark.
Larson said she had laughed about the resolution with her son, but then she noticed how intently her 8-year-old granddaughter, Jenni, was listening.
“She was very interested in Santa getting to their house,” Larson said. “To her, this was very serious.”
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