In exercising its powers and performing its functions under the laws of this State pertaining to aeronautics, the Department may perform such acts, issue, amend, change, abrogate or rescind such decisions and orders, prescribe such forms, and make, promulgate, and amend, change, abrogate or rescind such reasonable general or special rules, rulings, regulations, and procedure, and establish such minimum standards, as may be necessary, 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 rule, ruling, regulation, decision or order of the Department shall apply to airports or other air navigation facilities owned or controlled by the Federal Government within this State.