Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 471.7 - Licensing criteria and requirements(a) Criteria for licensing of airports and heliports are described in Appendix A.(b) The following are applicable to airports and heliports which have obtained a license: (1) An owner or operator of an airport shall operate and maintain the airport safely and shall conform to existing statutes and this chapter, or as modified by existing waiver.(2) An owner or operator of an airport shall give prompt written notice to the Bureau, using Bureau Form AV-19, of a proposed physical change in the airport that is likely to affect its safety or conformity with the criteria under which the airport was licensed by the Bureau.(3) An owner or operator of an airport licensed by the Bureau shall immediately report altered, unsafe or hazardous conditions of a nontemporary nature (in excess of 72 hours) to the Bureau. Public airport owners shall also file a NOTAM with the FAA. Upon elimination of the condition, a report shall be submitted to the Bureau detailing corrective action taken. Information concerning permanent physical changes to the airport shall also be reported to the FAA for inclusion in the Airport Facilities Directory.(4) An owner or operator of a public airport shall post, in a place visible to the public, written material required to be posted by the Bureau, the Commonwealth or the Federal government.(5) Surface vehicles, such as, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, mowing machines, graders or rollers may not be operated in the vicinity of runways or taxiways of a public airport without the airport manager's permission and coordination with the control tower, if existent. Surface vehicles must be marked with approved flags or flashing amber beacons in accordance with FAA guidelines when operating in air operations areas unless coordinated with the airport manager.(6) Remote controlled model aircraft may not be operated from a public airport unless permission has been obtained from the airport manager.(7) Nonaeronautical uses of a public airport's aviation related area require the airport sponsor to obtain Bureau approval by means of advance written notice. Failure of the Bureau to respond within 30 calendar days shall be deemed tacit approval. Airport operators shall provide advance notice to aircraft operators in accordance with FAA procedures and time frames, including a NOTAM.(8) An abandoned or unlicensed airport shall have markers, wind direction indicators and aeronautical signs immediately removed by the owner or operator.(9) The Bureau may randomly inspect any airport or heliport to determine compliance with the code and this chapter. (i) Periodic safety inspections will be conducted at all scheduled service, general aviation and basic utility airports. The Bureau will coordinate the inspection date with the airport owner. Following the inspection, the Bureau will provide written report of all inspection findings. Deficiencies identified shall be mitigated in a timely manner unless waived by the Bureau. The written report containing the inspection findings, as they specifically relate to the aviation code or aviation regulations, will itemize all deficiencies, except conditions having a current waiver in force. Any conditions having a current waiver in force is deemed to be in (conditional) compliance with this chapter.(ii) Safety inspections at private use airports will be conducted on a random basis or at the request of the owner.(iii) Airport sponsors who cannot mitigate airspace obstructions may submit an FAA Form 7460 for FAA evaluation and subsequent consideration for Bureau waiver.(10) The Department may maintain an action in any court of competent jurisdiction against any licensee of an airport or aviation facility which is subject to regulation under this chapter, to prevent, restrain or enjoin any violation or threatened violation of this chapter.The provisions of this §471.7 adopted October 1, 1968, effective 10/1/1968; amended October 3, 1986, effective 10/4/1986, 16 Pa.B. 3693; readopted July 20, 1990, effective 7/21/1990, 20 Pa.B. 3981; amended October 29, 2010, effective 10/30/2010, 40 Pa.B. 6273.