Airport Obstruction Issues

GAA WorkshopMarch 14th, 2014

Presented by: Alan Hood, Georgia Department of TransportationAirport Safety Data Program Manager

• 3 categories of approach surfaces for GA Airports.

– State Licensing

– Part 77

– TERPs Visual Surface (20:1)

Approach Surfaces and Obstruction Removal

• New State Licensing– 3 configurations - based on runway length

• < 4,000’• 4,000’ – 4,999’• 5,000’ +

– Meets visual approach criteria from design guide

• Surface starts at threshold

• Surface should be clear to meet the minimum state licensing criteria

• Generally least restrictive of the three surfaces

• Airports inspected biennially

New GDOT Airport Licensing Approach Standards

New GDOT Airport Licensing Approach Standards

14

32

<4000’

120’

300’

To3000’

14

32

250’

2250’

4000’ – 4999’

14

32

400’

1800’

>5000’

1000’

To 10,300’

700’

To 5000’

15:1

20:120:1

500’

• Obstruction Removal– obstructions should be removed immediately or removal efforts

should be initiated as soon as possible with written plan provided to GDOT by specified date in letter.

– if removal is not possible, displace threshold

• Documentation of obstructions: biennial inspection letter

• Notification– Alan Hood, Airport Safety Data Program Manager and– GDOT Project Manager

New GDOT Airport Licensing Approach Standards

• Generally most restrictive, used as screening criteria

• 6 configurations:Based on runway category and type of approach<12,500lb + visual = A(V)<12,500lb + non-precision = A(NP) >12,500lb + visual = B(V)>12,500lb + non-precision @ > ¾ mi visibility = C>12,500lb + non-precision @ < ¾ mi visibility = D>12,500lb + precision = PIR

• Surface starts 200’ from threshold

• Surface should be clear to meet FAA 5010 Safety Data Inspection Program criteria

• Airports inspected biennially

Part 77 Approach Standards

14

32

C

500’

14

32

A(V)

250’

14

32

B(V)

500’

14

32

A(NP)

500’

14

32

D

14

32

PIR

1000’1000’

20:1 20:1 20:1

34:1 34:1

50:1

5,000’

10,000’

40,000’Part 77 Approach Standards

• Obstruction Removal– Obstructions should be removed or provide schedule for removal

• Documentation of obstructions:• biennial inspection letter• FAA 5010 report

• Notification Required

– Provide sketch and coordinates of cleared area– Alan Hood, Airport Safety Data Program Manager and– GDOT Project Manager– GDOT will coordinate with FAA to remove from FAA database

Part 77 Approach Standards

• Surface starts 200’ from threshold

• 20:1 Approach Slope

• Obstructions should be mitigated to maintain night minimums

• When are procedures reviewed?– Any request for change in approach, name change, LOC-ID change,

runway numeral change, etc– FAA performs review of airport’s terminal procedures every 2 years

FAA Straight-In TERPs Visual Surface Standards (20:1)

FAA Straight-In TERPs Visual Surface Standards (20:1)

14

32

C

500’

14

32

A(NP)

500’

20:1

34:1Part 77 surface is larger

than TERPs except in A(NP) and C Category

Runways with at least a Category C published

approach

800’ 800’

20:1 20:1

Exists at 56 Airports in

GA

FAA Straight-In TERPs Visual Surface Standards (20:1)• Obstruction Removal

– mitigate obstructions by:• removal• lighting• PAPI waiver – requires FAA Flight Standards approval

– obstructions should be mitigated to maintain nighttime procedures and coordinated per new guidelines if given notice after Jan 6, 2014.

• Obstruction removal previous to notice from Flight Procedures.– Sketch and coordinates of cleared area– Alan Hood, Airport Safety Data Program Manager and– GDOT Project Manager– GDOT notifies FAA to update database

FAA Straight-In TERPs Visual Surface Standards (20:1)• If Notified by Flight Procedures of 20:1 Obstructions (After Jan 6, 2014):

Who is Responsible?• Ultimately the Sponsor

-State Licensing and Part 77 Inspections: When obstructions are identified in an inspection, they become a liability.

-State Licensing surface obstructions could lead to denial of license.

Who is Responsible?• Ultimately the Sponsor

-Sponsors are also responsible for ensuring the TERPs Visual Surface is clear. Flight Procedures uses the FAA surveyed obstruction database to review procedures.

-Obstructions do not automatically disappear from database with a new survey.

-Must submit sketch with coordinates and boundaries of cleared areas to get obstructions removed from database.

***If you have been notified you have obstructions by Flight Procedures – then you validate the obstructions in writing. No survey or coordinates and boundaries required.

Questions?