Series 150 Advisory Circulars (ACs) for Airport Projects

Provides guidance to the public on the design and evaluation of pavements at civil airports.

Because of the size of the document, it is available as one large file (see Complete) or as four smaller files (see Parts 1-4).

See also related Airport Design Software.

Provides guidance for the preparation of airport master plans that range in size and function from small general aviation to large commercial service facilities. Appendix D of this AC cancels Chapter 1, Section 5; Appendix 6; and Appendix 7 of AC 150/5300-13, Airport Design. Consolidated file contains Change 1.

This AC describes the Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program (ALECP). It provides information on how an organization can get Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acceptance as a third-party certification body (third-party certifier) and how manufacturers may get equipment qualified under the program. It includes a list of the equipments that are certified under the program. This AC does not impose requirements or mandate participation in the ALECP by any party. This revision clarifies the criteria that FAA will use to determine whether a certification body qualifies for participation and how equipment may be qualified.

Provides guidance on the development, installation, testing, approval, and maintenance of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Out squitter units for airport ground vehicles. Using this AC, airports will be able to acquire approved and authorized airport ground vehicle ADS-B squitter units that are compliant with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 91, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS–B) Out Performance Requirements to Support Air Traffic Control (ATC) Service, as well as the initial set of ADS-B applications. Please note that the technical specifications for manufacturing ADS-B squitter units for airport ground vehicles are published in the FAA’s document, Vehicle Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) Specification, Version 2.4, published May 1, 2012.

Contact the appropriate FAA Airport District Office or Regional Airports Division to discuss Airport Improvement Program (AIP) eligibility.

Learn more about Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).

Provides guidance for developing and managing an airport foreign object debris (FOD) program.  In addition, this AC provides specifications for the equipment used in FOD removal operations.

The described program addresses prevention, detection, removal, and evaluation as well as strategies and practices that can help reduce FOD at airports. The guidelines presented in this AC are advisory and can be implemented at the discretion of the airport operator in accordance with the airport operator’s approved Airport Certification Manual.

This AC cancels AC 150/5380-5B, Debris Hazards at Civil Airports, dated July 5, 1996.

Provides guidance to the airport operator in the development and implementation of an Airport Emergency Plan (AEP). The AEP addresses essential emergency related and deliberate actions planned to ensure the safety of and emergency services for the airport populace and the community in which the airport is located.

Consolidated file includes Change 2 dated 11/3/2010. Change 2 updates the date by which AEPs must be submitted to June 30, 2011.

Contains the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) standards and recommendations for the geometric layout and engineering design of runways, taxiways, aprons, and other facilities at civil airports.This substantial revision fully incorporates all previous changes to AC 150/5300-13 as well as new standards and technical requirements.

See also Interim Guidance on Land Uses Within a Runway Protection Zone.

Provides methods for meeting the certification requirements specified in Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 139, Certification of Airports. This AC cancels AC 139/201-1, Airport Certification Manual (ACM) and Airport Certification Specifications (ACS).

Explains how to compute airport capacity and aircraft delay for airport planning and design. Consolidated file contains Changes 1 and 2.

Note: Portions of this AC are under review for update. Please contact the National Planning and Environmental Division for assistance.

Because of the size of this document, it is available as one large file (see Complete) or as several smaller files (see Parts 1-4).

Provides guidance on the use of avian radar systems to supplement an airport’s Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) and reduce the potential avian threats to aircraft.

See also:

• Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Guidance Letter 12-04: Avian Radars (3/5/2012) Discusses the eligibility of Avian Radar Systems and the justification required to use AIP grant funds to acquire and install them.
• Notice to Manufacturers of Airport Avian Radar Systems about AIP Buy American Requirement (10/28/2011). The FAA is requesting information to determine if waivers to this requirement are needed.

Provides guidance on understanding and rating the surface condition of flexible and rigid airfield pavements and provides a simple system to visually rate pavement condition.

Because of the size of this document, it is available as one complete file (see Complete) or as three smaller files (see Parts 1-3).

Contains information, references and guidelines for construction of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) station building design.

Provides guidance to assist airport operators in preparing for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) communications.

Provides guidance on the design, construction, and operation of aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) training facilities.

Contains references to the minimum requirements for the selection and performance of aircraft rescue and firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE), self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and powered rescue tools. Designed to assist airport management in the development of local procurement specifications for airport fire departments.

Contains specifications and guidance for the storage, handling, and dispensing of aviation fuel on airports. Additionally, this AC provides standards and guidance for the training of personnel who conduct these activities.

Please see the associated Addendum for a list of companies offering courses of instruction in line service training as well as supervisory training that are acceptable to the Administrator. We will update the Addendum on a quarterly basis.

Provides guidance on Aircraft Fire Extinguishing Agents and provides an acceptable methodology for complying with Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 139, Certification of Airports.

Contains the FAA's performance standards, specifications, and recommendations for the design, manufacture, testing and maintenance of equipment used in the boarding of airline passengers. The physical area covered in this AC is that which is bounded by the door of the passenger terminal area, on one end, to the door of the aircraft, on the other end. Although this AC refers only to aircraft boarding (enplaning), all references apply equally to disembarking (deplaning) with the described procedures occurring in reverse order.

The previous version of this AC discussed only the passenger lift scenario and associated equipment. This document updates that effort and addresses the other methods and equipment used to board an aircraft, including passenger boarding bridges, ramps, lifts, and aircraft boarding chairs.

Contains FAA standards and recommendations for the installations of aircraft arresting systems on civil airports not owned or operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). This AC does not describe Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS). For guidance on EMAS, see AC 150/5220-22, Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) for Aircraft Overruns.

Assists airports in complying with the current laws and regulations governing individuals with disabilities by (1) identifying the relevant statutes and regulations that impact upon airports, (2) presenting in a single document the main features of each of the statutes and regulations, (3) providing legal citations to facilitate research, (4) listing sources of assistance or additional information, and (5) identifying Final Rules. It presents and reconciles the Federal accessibility regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (ACAA); the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (RA); and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (ABA), which affect the architectural or program accessibility of airports in the U.S. transportation system and employment opportunities on these airports for individuals with disabilities.

Provides FAA standards and recommendations for the training of airport firefighting and rescue personnel in the proper operation and tactical use of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles and ARFF vehicles equipped with High Reach Extendable Turret (HRETs). This guidance includes the development of department Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and the development of department proficiency evaluation standards.

Provides a model zoning ordinance to be used as a guide to control the height of objects around airports. Editorially updated.