Provides the specifications for the collection of airport data for the FAA Airport Surveying – Geographic Information System (GIS) Program. Also explains how to submit data to the FAA, which will forward the safety critical data to the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) for independent verification and validation. The standards covered in this document provide critical information for the operation and safety of the National Airspace System (NAS) and are classified as critical by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO Annex 15 defines data as critical when “there is a high probability when using corrupted critical data that the continued safe flight and landing of an aircraft would be severely at risk with the potential for catastrophe.” The information furnished under these standards covers the entire spectrum of the FAA’s airport data requirements. See also FAA Airport Surveying - GIS Program and Airports GIS Video Training Series.

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 using the standardized International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) method, called the Aircraft Classification Number – Pavement Classification Number (ACN-PCN) method, to report airport runway, taxiway, and apron pavement strength. Includes instructions for using the COMFAA program to calculate ACN values to determine PCN.

Also provides guidance for reporting changes to airport data that is generally published on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Form 5010, Airport Master Record, particularly those data elements associated with Gross Weight (Data Elements 35 through 38) and Pavement Classification Number (Data Element 39).

Access COMFAA and related Support Spreadsheet on our Airport Design Software page.

Contains the FAA standards for markings used on airport runways, taxiways, and aprons. This AC cancels the Signs and Marking Supplement (SAMS).

This document is consolidated to include Change 1, dated November 17, 2010.

Contains standards for the siting and installation of signs on airport runways and taxiways, including taxiway ending markers, location signs, runway distance remaining signs, mandatory hold signs associated with POFZ and CAT II/III operations, and many others.

Provides recommended guidelines for maintenance of airport visual aid facilities, including Runway Status Lights (RWSL) Systems, rotating beacons, lighted wind cone assemblies, runway and taxiway guidance signs, Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) Systems, Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASIs), Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs), Medium Approach Lighting Systems (MALS, MALSF, MALSR), Hazard Beacons And Obstruction Lights, and Airport Lighting Control And Monitoring Systems (ALCMS).

Provides guidance and recommendations on the installation of airport visual aids.

See also--

• The Design, Installation, and Maintenance of In-Pavement Airport Lighting (PDF) by Arthur S. Schai

Provides the specified manufacturing requirements for panels used for remote control of airport lighting and auxiliary systems.

Contains a specification for constant current regulators (CCR) and a monitor for use with airport lighting circuits.

See also Engineering Brief 67, Light Sources Other than Incandescent and Xenon for Airport and Obstruction Lighting Fixtures.

Contains equipment specifications for light beacons that are used to locate and identify civil airports, military airports, seaplane bases, and heliports.

Contains the FAA standards for the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) systems, which provides pilots with visual glideslope guidance during approach for landing.

See also--

• Engineering Briefs
• National Airspace System Standards
• Notice to Manufacturers of Airport Lighting and Navigation Aid Equipment about AIP Buy American Requirement (12/19/2011). The FAA is requesting information to determine if waivers to this requirement are needed.

Contains the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for retroreflective markers for airport runways and taxiways. Version D changes Paragraph 3.4.2.2, Cylindrical Markers, to increase the marker diameter and surface area, and Paragraph 3.4.3.1, Mounting System, to clarify Type II marker mounting and tethering requirements.

Effective six months after the issue date of this AC, only equipment qualified per these specifications will be listed in AC 150/5345-53, Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program.

This AC contains the specifications for airport light bases, transformer housings, junction boxes, and accessories. This AC is not intended to be a compilation of currently available product designs. It provides the basic standard requirements for critical dimensions and performance requirements to which all manufacturers must demonstrate compliance.

Contains the FAA specifications for unlighted and lighted signs to be used on taxiways and runways. See also Engineering Brief 67: Light Sources Other than Incandescent and Xenon for Airport and Obstruction Lighting Fixtures.