Ala. Admin. Code r. 450-9-3-.12
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 450-9-3-.12 - Minimum Requirements For Operating License Renewal(1) Approach And Departure Paths For Public And Private-Use Airports. All airports are required to maintain approach and departure paths which are free of obstructions for the safe operation of aircraft during landings and take-offs. The approach and departure paths for public and private-use airports are defined as follows: (a) For all hard surface runways the approach and departure path will begin 200 feet from the runway end (runway threshold).(b) For all turf or sod runways the approach and departure path will begin at the marked threshold (runway end) for that runway.(c) The approach and departure path for all public-use and private-use airport runways will be centered along the extended runway centerline and extend for 1000 feet beyond the primary surface. Curved or "dog-legged" approaches with a total deflection of no more than fifteen degrees from runway centerline at a point 1,200 feet from the runway end are acceptable.(e) Dimensions of approach and departure paths for private and public use airports: INNER OUTER
APPROACH TYPE WIDTH WIDTH LENGTH ACREAGE
VISUAL 250 FEET 450 FEET 1000 FEET 8.04 ACRES
(f) The approach and departure path for all public or private-use runways will slope up at a ratio of 20:1.(g) All penetrations of the approach and departure paths, whether natural or man made, constitute an obstruction to navigation and must be removed. If the obstruction is not removed the threshold must be placed at a point on the runway that will provide a clear and unobstructed flight path. This will be accomplished by displacing or relocating the threshold of the runway. The approach slope will begin from the point of displacement on runways with a displaced threshold, which will shorten available runway length for landings to that runway end.(h) No later than January 1, 2005, the land area beneath the approach and departure path for all publicly owned runways must be controlled by the airport owner. Ownership of the property may be accomplished by purchase in fee simple or by written perpetual agreement with the owner of the land. Use of the land must be restricted to activities and uses that are compatible with the approach and departure of aircraft using the airport. After January 1, 2005, no license will be issued for any publicly owned airport that does not own, or control by legal contract, the area of land beneath the boundaries of the approach and departure path that is required for that particular site. Prior to January 1, 2005, this requirement must be met by any licensed publicly owned airport which extends an existing runway. Any runway extension that would place the approach and departure path over land not controlled or owned by the airport must relocate the runway end to meet the requirements of this chapter.(i) Dimensions of approach and departure paths for private use airports: The approach and departure path for all private use airports shall meet the following requirements: Inner Width: Shall conform to the width of the Primary Surface.
Outer Width: Shall be calculated based upon a flare ratio of 10:1.
Length: 1000 feet.
(2) Primary Surface. The primary surface is an imaginary surface that surrounds the marked runway. The primary surface is centered along the runway centerline and extends 200 feet past the end of the marked runway for hard surfaced runways and ends at the marked threshold of sod or turf runways. The width of the primary surface will conform to the width of the approach and departure path for that particular runway. The primary surface is required to be free of all obstructions. Obstructions include objects of natural growth, man made objects, or ditches. The only allowable objects are runway lights, guidance signs, or navigation equipment that by function is required to be within the primary surface boundaries.(3) Runway Safety Area. All runways licensed as public-use are required to maintain an obstruction free area adjacent to each runway end. All runways licensed as private-use are recommended to maintain an obstruction free area adjacent to each runway end. This area is 120 feet wide, centered on the runway centerline, and extends for a distance of 200 feet past the runway end. The area must be compacted and graded smooth with no ruts, humps, depressions or other potentially hazardous surface variations. The slope along the longitudinal centerline shall not exceed a rise or fall of three percent in elevation relative to the runway end elevation. The lip from the top of pavement to the grade adjacent to the runway end will be no greater than three (3) inches. Drainage can be by grading or grated inlet connected to storm sewer.(4) Airport Marking. (a) All runways are required to be marked in a manner that identifies the boundaries of the landing area.(b) MINIMUM MARKINGS FOR HARD SURFACE RUNWAYS: 1. All markings on hard surface runways must be painted. The painted markings must be maintained in legible condition. The paint used must be latex or water based and not based in an petroleum derivative.2. Visual Runway - Runway centerline and runway identifiers.3. Nonprecision Runway - Runway centerline, runway identifier, and threshold marking.4. Precision Runway - Runway centerline, runway identifier, threshold marking, fixed distance marking, touchdown zone marking, side stripes, and holding position markings (for taxiway/runway intersections and ILS critical areas).5. All markings on the runway are white. All markings on the taxiway are yellow. The size, shape and placement of the markings will be in accordance with the most recent Federal Aviation Regulations Advisory Circular 150/5340 ("Marking of Paved Areas on Airports"). Copies of this document are available from the Department.6. The following minimum markings are required for turf or sod runways: (i) Threshold marking - The runway threshold will be marked by L-shapes on each corner of each threshold.(ii) Runway - The outer edges of the runway must be delineated with markers placed at 200 foot intervals along both sides of the runway. The markers must be of a size and shape that is easily and readily recognized from the air and on the ground. These boundary markers shall be white in color. The bases (or mounts) for all markers shall be frangible.(iii) Displaced thresholds for turf runways shall be marked by placing three markers on each runway side at the displacement point. These markers will be aligned perpendicular to the runway, placed five (5) feet apart with the inner marker on each side in alignment with the runway edge markers.(5) Wind Direction Indicators. All airports are required to have an operational wind direction indicator. The wind direction indicator must be installed in a highly visible area to be easily recognized from the air and on the ground. It must be located in an area that is free from obstructions that will ensure that true wind direction and approximate wind velocity will be indicated. A windsock is recommended, any other type of indicator will need approval of the Department prior to installation. Night operations will require that the indicator be lighted.(6) Airport Lighting. Runway lights are required for all airports that conduct night operations. (i) Minimum Lighting Requirements (I) Location and spacing - The location and spacing of runway, threshold, and taxiway lights shall conform to the most recent version of Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 150/5340-24 ("Runway and Taxiway Lighting System"). Copies of this publication are available from the Department.(II) All runway, threshold, and taxiway lighting shall be maintained in operational condition and shall not be obscured by natural growth such as grass or weeds.(III) All fixtures shall meet the specifications of the Federal Aviation Administration in regards to overall dimensions, intensity and lens color as described in the most recent version of Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 150/5340-24 ("Runway and Taxiway Lighting System"). Copies of this publication are available from the Department. This provision is not to be interpreted as requiring Federal Aviation Administration approval for specific manufacturers or voltage requirements.(IV) Airport Beacons. All airports having runways lighted for night operations shall be required to have an operational location beacon. The beacon will have green/white lens to identify the facility as an airport. The beacon shall be located at a site on or near the airport at an elevation that will ensure the beacon is not obstructed by objects of natural growth or manmade structures.(7) Runway, Taxiway and Apron Conditions (a) Runway and Taxiway Requirements 1. The runway and taxiway surface must be kept smooth and free of any defect or obstruction that could damage aircraft during operations. This requirement includes any depressions or humps in the runway or taxiway that could cause loss of directional control.2. The lip of paved runways or taxiways must not exceed three (3) inches in elevation from the top of the pavement to the shoulder. The drop should be only enough to allow sufficient drainage and not pose a control problem exiting aircraft. Turf runways must be graded smooth and grassed. The grass must be kept mowed and not allowed to grow to a height of more than twelve (12) inches above the graded surface on the marked runway.
4. The physical requirements of length and width are contained in Section 60-X-3-.09 of this chapter and in Federal Aviation Regulations Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 ("Airport Design"). The minimum construction requirements pertaining to material, construction, and testing are contained in the State of Alabama Department of Transportation "Standard Specifications for Highway Construction".(b) Apron Requirements 1. The aircraft apron (parking ramp) is for the operation and parking of aircraft only.2. The apron surface should be smooth and free of obstructions or defects that could cause damage to aircraft during operation.3. The physical requirements of length and width are contained in Federal Aviation Regulations Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 ("Airport Design"). The minimum construction requirements pertaining to material, construction, and testing are contained in the State of Alabama Department of Transportation "Standard Specifications for Highway Construction".(8) FUELING AREA REQUIREMENTS (a) The following items are required at all fueling areas:1. Sign(s) posted to prohibit open flames or smoking in fueling area.3. A fire extinguisher approved for the purpose of extinguishing petroleum product fires available during all fueling operations.4. The hoses for the dispensing of fuel shall not be frayed, cracked, or subjected to any condition that could cause a rupture or leaking of fuel.(9) TIME LIMIT FOR CORRECTING LICENSE DEFICIENCIES. All licensed airports must correct any license deficiency in order for the airport operating license to be in full effect. Upon notification from the Department of an existing condition that does not meet minimum requirements for licensing the airport owner must correct the noted deficiency within 360 days of the notification. The airport will be deemed to be in noncompliance and operating within a probationary period for the 360 day period. If the noted deficiency cannot be corrected within this time period, the owner must contact the Department with a written justification for the delay in correction and a timetable for correction of the noted deficiency. Failure to correct the deficiency within two consecutive yearly license inspections may result in the revocation of the operating license for the airport. Once correction of the deficiency has been made, the airport owner must contact the Department for a reinspection to determine compliance with licensing requirements. Author: ADA
Ala. Admin. Code r. 450-9-3-.12
New Rule: Filed January 28, 1998; effective March 4, 1998. Amended: Filed February 1, 2000; effective March 7, 2000.Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 4-2-33, 4-2-37.