Chapter 11. Evaluating Aeronautical Effect

Section 4. Processing of Airport Proposals By ­Operations Support Group Flight Procedures Teams

11-4-1. EFFECT ON INSTRUMENT PROCEDURES

The appropriate Flight Procedures Team (FPT) must evaluate Non-Rulemaking Airport (NRA) aeronautical ­studies to identify any effect to FAA-developed instrument flight procedures. When the proposed airport is ­considering instrument flight procedures, the FPT will provide a response that includes any possible conflict ­with current published instrument flight procedures tracked via the OE/AAA program.

The evaluation must consider existing runways and plans on file (e.g., proposed runways). Runway plans on file ­are stored in the Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis (OE/AAA) system and managed by the ­Office of Airports. Upon receiving an NRA aeronautical study, FPT must ensure their evaluation considers ­existing and proposed runways, which may require coordination with the Obstacle Impact Team (OIT), ­AJV-A323.

11-4-2. EVALUATION OF PART 77 AERONAUTICAL STUDIES

An existing structure, proposed construction, or alteration on-airport that may affect the navigable airspace is ­processed as an NRA aeronautical study. Existing and planned airport development is considered when ­evaluating structures under part 77. FPT personnel must identify the effect upon FAA-developed instrument ­flight procedures based on Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) criteria and state what adjustments can be ­made to the procedure/structure to mitigate or eliminate any adverse effects of the structure on an instrument ­flight procedure. FPT will consider existing instrument flight procedures and any plan on file with the FAA.

11-4-3. EVALUATION OF PART 157 AERONAUTICAL STUDIES

Part 157 establishes standards and notification requirements for anyone proposing to construct, alter, or ­deactivate a civil or joint-use (civil/military) airport. Airports not subject to conditions of a Federal Agreement ­that requires an approved current airport layout plan (ALP) must submit a notice under part 157 and this ­regulation also addresses proposals that alter the status or use of such an airport. An NRA aeronautical study ­is used to process these airport proposals. FPT personnel must review proposals to determine any impact on ­FAA-developed instrument procedures, including existing and proposed procedures. For example, an airport ­owner reducing runway length to less than 4,200 feet could result in an increase to the corresponding instrument ­approach procedure's height above touchdown elevation (HAT) and/or visibility minimums if the currently ­published minimums are less than ¾ Statute Mile (SM) and/or less than 250 feet.

11-4-4. EVALUATION OF CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND PHASING PLANS

A Construction Safety and Phasing Plan (CSPP) details temporary construction activities to minimize disruption ­of normal aircraft operations and avoid situations that compromise the airport's operational safety. FPT ­personnel must review CSPPs to determine any impact to existing FAA-developed instrument procedures (e.g., ­airport owner is displacing the runway threshold temporarily to accommodate construction activities resulting ­in an impact to existing instrument approach procedures).

11-4-5. EVALUATION OF AIRPORT LAYOUT PLANS (ALP)

  1. An ALP is a planning document that depicts existing airport facilities and proposed development as ­determined from reviewing aviation activity forecasts, facility requirements, and alternatives analysis. Airports ­are subject to conditions of a Federal Agreement that requires an approved current ALP and will submit notice ­of any updates or changes to the Office of Airports. Any changes to an ALP will be coordinated with FPT as ­an NRA aeronautical study, and FPT personnel must:
    1. Evaluate the ALP proposal to determine impacts to FAA-developed instrument procedures.
    2. Evaluate runway plans-on-file (e.g., runway extension, new runway) and identify impacts to ­FAA-developed instrument procedures when Airports Division personnel provides National Geodetic Survey ­(NGS) validated survey data.
  2. Upon request from airport sponsor, evaluate on-airport development (e.g., hangars, terminal expansion) ­and identify impacts to existing and/or future FAA-developed instrument procedures. Airports Division must ­provide FPT personnel an independent list of specific on-airport development, including location (i.e., latitude, ­longitude), elevation (i.e., structure elevation, above mean sea level), and survey accuracy.