Purchasing, Installing, & Operating Non-Federally Owned Systems

Airport Owners: The FAA will not let you operate a newly-installed non-Federal NavAid, ASOS, or other systems until it's been commissioned by the NFP. The system must, among other things, meet the minimum requirements set forth in Title 14 CFR Part 171, and/or the latest version of AC 150/5220-16, Non-Federal AWOS.

  • Until the Non-Federal Program commissions your new system, it will not appear on pilots' sectional charts, nor the FAA's Digital - Chart Supplement (d-CS) [formerly titled the "Airport/Facility Directory" (A/FD)].

Commissioning Requirements

Requirements include, but are not limited to:

  • You may only install a NavAid, AWOS (PDF), or other system that has received FAA approval for non-Federal use in the National Airspace System.
  • You must hire an FAA-approved non-Federal technician to maintain the system.
  • You must agree to follow Non-Federal Program operations and maintenance practices.
  • You must agree to allow the Non-Federal Program to conduct regular inspections of the system.
  • The system must pass a Non-Federal Program commissioning inspection.

Avoid costly mistakes: contact a Non-Federal Program Liaison before:

  • Purchasing, installing, or operating a new non-Federal system.
  • Moving/relocating an existing non-Federal system.
  • Planning a runway relocation project that will impact Federally-owned systems.

Prior to contacting your NFP Liaison:

After contacting your NFP Liaison, you may be asked to use these FAA resources:

  • OE/AAA Portal - Owners of new and/or existing non-Federal systems can use the "Obstruction Evaluation/Airport Airspace Analysis" (OE/AAA) portal to electronically file the FAA's Form 7460-1, Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration, and FAA Form 7460-2, Supplemental Notice (if necessary).
  • Spectrum "WebFCR" Tool - The "Frequency-Coordination Request" (FCR) tool allows owners of new and/or existing non-Federal systems to:
    • Request information from the FAA, to support your FCC application for a new radio-frequency license.
    • Request FAA validation of an existing radio frequency that has exipired.
    • Alert FAA to the change in system location, which may affect its radio signal.
  • FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) - Owners can use this site to apply for a new facility license, renew or modify an existing license, manage licenses and applications -- and more.
  • Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP)
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Last updated: Wednesday, November 8, 2023