Section 4. Processing of Airport Proposals By Operations Support Group Flight Procedures Teams
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.
NOTE-
Non-FAA service providers who develop instrument flight procedures are responsible for evaluating aeronautical studies and identifying any adverse effects. See Order 8260.60, Special Procedure.
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.
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.
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).
- 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:
- Evaluate the ALP proposal to determine impacts to FAA-developed instrument procedures.
- 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.
- 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 shall 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.