Chapter 10. Basic

Section 1. Policy

10-1-1. PURPOSE

  1. This part provides guidelines, procedures, and standards that supplement those contained in 14 CFR part ­157, Notice of Construction, Alteration, Activation, and Deactivation of Airports.
  2. These guidelines, procedures, and standards must be used in determining the effect construction, alteration, ­activation, or deactivation of an airport will have on the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace by aircraft.

10-1-2. AUTHORITY

The authority for managing the Airports Program is delegated to the regional Airports Division manager and ­may be re-delegated to the Airports District Offices (ADO). Airport personnel must administer the Airports ­Program with the coordinated assistance of air traffic, Technical Operations Services, Flight Procedures Team, ­and Flight Procedures personnel.

10-1-3. AIRPORT PROGRAMS

  1. Airport development/improvement projects are initiated under the authority of several laws relating to ­Federal airport financial assistance programs. There are certain similarities in processing federally assisted and ­non-federally-assisted airport development improvement projects, including airport layout plan reviews. ­However, a significant difference is that on a federally assisted project the FAA must formally approve the ­airspace for the projects that receive federal assistance.
  2. Airport Improvement Program (AIP) - AIP projects, including airport layout plans, are ­processed similarly to non-AIP projects, except that the airspace for the airport study results in either an agency ­approval or disapproval of the project.
  3. Disposal or Conveyance of Federal Surplus Real Property for Public Airport Purposes - The FAA is ­required to officially endorse the site before property interest in land owned and controlled by the United States ­is conveyed to a public agency for public airport purposes. Airspace cases are handled in the same manner as ­proposals for other federally assisted airports.
  4. Military/National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Airport Programs - 49 U.S.C, Section ­44502(c) provides that the DoD and NASA must not acquire, establish, or construct any military airport, military ­landing area, or missile or rocket site, or substantially alter any runway layout unless reasonable prior notice is ­given to the FAA. This permits the FAA to “...advise the appropriate committees of Congress and other interested ­departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government on the effects" of such projects “upon the use ­of airspace by aircraft."
  5. Part 157 Proposals-Pursuant to appropriate sections of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, part ­157 was adopted to require notice to the Administrator by persons proposing to construct, alter, activate, or ­deactivate a civil or joint-use (civil/military) airport for which Federal funds have not been requested. Such ­notice is required so that a study can be made and the proponent can be advised as to the proposal's effect on ­the use of the navigable airspace by aircraft.
  6. All airport proposals on public-use airports not requiring notice under part 157 that may require notice ­underpart 77.
  7. Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) - Part 158 program projects are required to be on an approved ALP and ­are processed similarly to AIP projects.

10-1-4. FUNDING RESPONSIBILITY

Each participating office must note airport projects or airport layout plan changes which would, if accomplished, ­lead to the relocation, replacement, or modification of air traffic control, or air navigation, radar/surveillance, ­or communications facilities. Such conditions must be identified in the review process and appropriate ­recommendations made regarding funding responsibilities as related to current FAA policy on facility relocation ­associated with airport improvements or changes (see AC 150/5300–7, FAA Policy on Facility Relocations ­Occasioned by Airport Improvements or Changes).

10-1-5. RESPONSIBILITY

  1. The Airports Division, or designated representative, is responsible for the overall Airports Program, ­initiating the coordination of airspace studies of airport proposals; conducting the necessary circularization; ­consolidating and resolving comments; and developing and forwarding the FAA determination to the airport ­sponsor/proponent. Where applicable, the airports division personnel must forward documents regarding ­potential noise problems to the airport proponent/sponsor for resolution.
  2. The service area office is responsible for evaluating the proposal from the standpoint of safe and efficient ­use of airspace by aircraft. In addition, based on existing and/or contemplated traffic patterns and procedures, ­the service area office director must be responsible for identifying potential noise problems and advising the ­Airports Office accordingly.
  3. The FPT is responsible for evaluating proposals to determine impacts on instrument procedures and ­whether aircraft instrument operations can be conducted safely.
  4. The Flight Standards Division is responsible for reviewing proposals to determine the safety of ­aeronautical operations, and of persons and property on the ground.
  5. The flight standards district office (FSDO) is responsible for reviewing part 157 proposals for seaplane ­bases and heliports.
  6. The Technical Operations Services area office is responsible for:
    1. Reviewing engineering studies on airport proposals to evaluate their effects upon commissioned and/or ­proposed NAVAIDs.
    2. Conducting electromagnetic studies to evaluate the effect existing and/or proposed objects will have ­upon air navigation, radar/surveillance, and communications facilities.
    3. Reviewing and evaluating line-of-site (shadow) studies on existing and/or proposed objects to ­determine impact on control tower visibility.
    4. Highlighting frequency management problems and reserving frequencies.