Section 1. Policy

  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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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."

NOTE-

See Chapter 13 for the procedures for processing these proposals.

  1. 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.
  2. All airport proposals on public-use airports not requiring notice under Part 157 that may require notice under Part 77.
  3. Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) - Part 158 program projects are required to be on an approved ALP and are processed similarly to AIP projects.
  1. 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 and 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 FAAO 6030.1 and AC 150/5300-7, FAA Policy On Facility Relocations Occasioned By Airport Improvements Or Changes).

  1. 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 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.