Section 4. Non-Federal NAVAIDs

  1. POLICY

For the purpose of this section, the term NAVAID is synonymous with Air Navigation Facility as defined in Title 49 of the United States Code (49 USC), Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Chapter 401, Section 40102, (a), (4). The FAA's role regarding non-federal systems is to assist sponsors proposing to establish, replace, or relocate such NAVAIDs by providing technical planning, minimum equipment and operational standards, and processing requirements for such proposals. This applies to system types identified in the Non-Federal Program, FAA Order 6700.20. The operation of non-federal facilities associated with the approval of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and air traffic control procedures must be in accordance with the minimum requirements set forth in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter I, Subchapter J, Part 171, titled “Non-Federal Navigation Facilities” and in FAA Order 6700.20. Title 14 CFR Part 171, outlines the minimum requirements non-federal facilities must meet in accordance with the authorities cited from Title 49 of the United States Code in Part 171.

  1. REQUEST FOR ESTABLISHMENT

The sponsor requesting the establishment, replacement, or relocation of a non-federal system, as defined in Part 171 and FAA Order 6700.20, must submit a separate Form 7460 for each component of the system to ensure sufficient description. The following information should be provided:

  1. The site of the system using geographical coordinates to the nearest hundredth second, to include all components of the system, such as shelters, antennas, and other sensors.
  2. The facility ground elevation and height of the tallest part of the structure, to include obstruction lights or lightning rods.
  3. Facility information:
  1. Facility identification.
  2. Facility name.
  3. Facility type.
  4. Facility subtype.
  5. Equipment manufacturer, make and model.
  1. Facility design drawings that show the proposed location. For systems located on an airfield, the sponsor must include: elevations of the entire airport property, annotations of support facilities (e.g., shelters, concrete pads, and structures), distances from the proposed system to the nearest point of the runway(s), and equipment profile.
  2. Pictures of the proposed location.
  3. Provide critical aircraft per AC 150/5000-17 that operates or will operate at the airport or runway end, as applicable.
  4. Identify any known siting criteria deviations.
  5. Any other pertinent information.
  1. RESPONSIBILITY

Sponsors must submit requests for the establishment, replacement, or relocation of a non-federal system to the Non-Federal Program Implementation Manager (PIM) in the Service Center's Planning and Requirements Group for initial processing. The Non-Federal PIM will review the proposal to ensure it includes all necessary information and is accurate, then disseminate it to the appropriate offices for review via the OE/AAA system. In order to determine the outcome of the proposal within the required notice period, each office should forward the results of its evaluation within 45 days to the Non-Federal PIM for further processing. Areas of responsibility are delegated as follows:

  1. Service Center's Non-Federal PIM. The Service Center's Non-Federal PIM is responsible for the overall service area office coordination on behalf of the sponsor. The Non-Federal PIM will direct sponsors to the appropriate Advisory Circulars and Orders that provide information on the minimum equipment and operational performance standards, siting requirements, and the conditions prerequisite to use of the facility. Additionally, the Non-Federal PIM will:
  1. Direct the sponsor to submit a frequency request, if applicable, to the Spectrum Engineering Services Group via FAA Frequency Coordination Request (FCR) Internet Portal at
    https://webfcr.faa.gov/.
  2. Submit required aeronautical data to Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) using the appropriate AIS System Data Form (e.g., 7900-2 Navigational Aids, 7900-5 Weather, 7900-6 Instrument Landing Systems, etc.) via the Aeronautical Information Portal at
    https://nfdc.faa.gov/nfdcApps/.
  3. Assist the sponsor on the process for submitting an aeronautical study request.
  4. Coordinate with the sponsor to submit any additional information needed for the aeronautical study.
  5. If applicable, direct the sponsor when to submit their request for an instrument flight procedure (IFP) via the Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway website at
    https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/procedures/ifp_form/.
  6. If applicable, advise the sponsor of the process for scheduling a commissioning flight and ground inspection.
  7. Provide the appropriate air traffic and technical operations offices the results of the aeronautical study.
  1. Air Traffic. The appropriate air traffic control facility will examine the proposal and provide comments regarding utilization of the airspace, aeronautical operations, and air traffic control procedures.
  2. Airports Division. The appropriate Airport District Office (ADO)/Regional Office will evaluate the proposal for impacts to airports. The ADO/Regional Office will:
  1. Evaluate the proposal in reference to existing and planned airport development on file with the agency.
  2. Evaluate the proposal for compliance with applicable airport design surfaces and standards.
  1. Flight Standards. The Flight Technologies and Procedures Division (FTPD) is the focal point for studying the effect of the proposed non-federal system with respect to the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace by aircraft and with respect to the safety of persons and property on the ground.
  2. Flight Procedures Team (FPT). The appropriate service area is the focal point for studying the effect of the proposed non-federal system on existing or proposed IFR flight procedures. In developing IFR procedures, FPT personnel will:
  1. Determine whether their respective requirements outlined in Part 171 and Order 8260.3, United States Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS), have been satisfied.
  2. Initiating development of required IFR procedures.
  3. Identify new IFP development requirements and impacts to existing/proposed FAA instrument flight procedures in accordance with FAA Order 8260.43, Flight Procedures Management Program. Non-FAA service providers are responsible for their procedures.
  1. Technical Operations Spectrum Engineering Group, Spectrum Assignment and Engineering Team. Evaluates the proposal to determine frequency availability, potential frequency interference effects on existing/planned navigational aids, and possible electromagnetic interference to radio communications frequencies. These tasks include:
  1. Validate frequency assignments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
  2. Provide the sponsor with the Non-Government Tracking Number (NGT#) for their FCC application to affirm coordination with the FAA.
  3. Provide the frequency assigned to the Non-Federal PIM.
  1. Technical Operations/Operations Engineering Support Group. Evaluates the proposal to determine if the project meets the FAAs required siting criteria for the specific system type. These tasks include:
  1. Provide comments pertaining to the proposal to ensure the project meets proper siting criteria. See the most recent version of FAA Order 6700.20 for systems without FAA equivalency.
  2. Coordinate sponsor identified siting criteria deviations with the applicable Second-Level Engineering Office as appropriate.
  3. Review proposal for impacts to other NAS facilities and provide comments.
  1. Other applicable FAA offices or services may be requested to provide an evaluation of the proposal on a case-by-case basis.
  1. EXTERNAL COORDINATION

The appropriate service area office will circularize the proposal in accordance with FAA Order JO 7400.2, Chapter 11, Evaluating Aeronautical Effect, Section 2, Processing of Airport Proposal By Regional Airports Offices or Section 4, Processing of Airport Proposals by Operations Support Group (whichever applies) of this order.

  1. COMPLETION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS

The Non-Federal PIM will prepare a determination letter based upon the results of the study, which will include any comments received from the appropriate offices. The determination letter will identify if there are any objections; it does not give approval for the project to proceed. The Non-Federal PIM must then forward the determination letter to the sponsor. Upon completing other processes outlined in FAA Order 6700.20, the Non-Federal PIM will communicate to the sponsor whether the FAA will approve or disapprove the project.

  1. AERONAUTICAL STUDY RETENTION AND ARCHIVING

The Non-Federal PIM will store copies of the determination issued to the sponsor for future retrieval and make them available upon request.