Pilot reported Airport Manager's request to ask pilots to avoid using pilot controlled lighting due to cost.

Date: 2020-12 · Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear · Phase: landing

Anomalies: Deviation discrepancy procedural FARDeviation discrepancy procedural published material policyGround event encounter ground equipment issue

Synopsis

Pilot reported Airport Manager's request to ask pilots to avoid using pilot controlled lighting due to cost.

Narrative

After landing at CBF the airport manager approached and asked about turning on the PCL [Pilot Controlled Lighting] lighting. Airport manager stated that it was very expensive for airport lights to be turned on and asked if local pilots and flight instructors could be coached on not turning the lights on so much during the day and at night when not necessary. It was explained to airport manager that turning on the lights is at the pilots discretion and a potential safety issue and asking them to try to monitor turning runway lights on and off to help airport control their electric expenses seemed as counter to safe operations of aircraft.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.