Establishing a New Airport, Heliport, or Seaplane BaseAviation and Spaceports Office

Introduction

Pursuant to Section 330.30, FS, establishing a new airport requires a site approval from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This statue outlines the site approval requirements, effective period, and revocation. Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Chapter 14-60.005 is the section that explains the requirements for applying for and obtaining an Airport Site Approval Order.  

 

The Application Process

  1. First Step is for the proponent or sponsor to obtain local zoning or receive confirmation that local zoning is not applicable. The statement or confirmation in a local zoning approval letter should include: A statement that the airport will be a compatible land use for that area or that there are no such zoning requirements and a statement that the airport as designed will meet local zoning requirements (i.e. building codes, setbacks, etc.).
  2. Second Step is to receive FAA airspace approval. Filing an FAA Form 7480-1 and receiving the favorable airspace determination. This can be accomplished electronically at the FAA's OE/AAA Website and creating a new Landing Area Proposal (LAP).
  3. Third Step is to submit an Airport Site Approval Application with the FDOT. For Public-Use Airports it is a paper process. For Private-Use Airports it is completed online through floridaprivateairport.com. Both the proposed Private-Use Airports and Public-Use Airports require the same supporting documentation. In addition to the items listed above, Chapter 14-60.005 provides a list of documentation that accompanies an airport site approval application. These items include:

    -       A Copy of Property Rights i.e. Deed, option to buy, lease agreement, etc.

    -       Facility Diagram

    -       Geodetic Location Map

    -       Location Map

    -       A list of nearby aviation facilities and notification of the proposed site to those airports

    -       Copies of notification letters to local governments

    -       Adjacent Property Owners notification and Public Notice of the proposed airport

    -       Location of waste sites within a certain distance from the airport

    -       Graphical depiction of the proposed air traffic patterns

    -       Confirmation that the runway and taxiway design have taken into account manufacturer’s performance characteristics for the type(s) of aircraft planned to be operated.

    -       Security factors taken to secure the airport site from unauthorized access to safeguard the airport and aircraft operations.

    -       FAA approval

  4. Fourth Step - Once the Public-Use Facility has submitted a complete application with all of the required documentation, a site inspection will be conducted to finalize the application. Once a favorable site inspection has been completed, a recommendation for approval will be submitted to the State Aviation Manager
  5. Fifth Step - Once the Private-Use Facility has certified that all of the supporting documentation has been obtained and/or provided, reviewed, and found that it can reasonably meet conditions necessary to ensure safety for aircraft and protect public health, safety, and welfare a recommendation for approval will be submitted to the State Aviation Manager.
  6. Sixth Step – After the State Aviation Manager grants their approval, the site approval order is submitted into the Florida Administrative Register to advertise for 21 days. The public can formally request an administrative hearing. If there is no request for an administrative hearing, the site approval order will become valid 45 days after it’s approved by the State Aviation Manager. The site approval order is valid for 2 years (unless an extension is granted) and construction of the airport may start.
  7. Seventh Step - Once construction is completed and prior to operations a:

    Public-Use Facility will need to contact the Public Airport and Safety Manager to schedule a licensing inspection.

    Private-Use Facility shall submit the FAA Form 5010-5 that is included in your FAA issued airspace determination letter to obtain the airport’s FAA Location ID and Site Number. Once the Location ID and Site Number is obtained then you can register your facility at: floridaprivateairport.com If you have any issues registering your facility contact the Private Airport and Compliance Manager.

  8. Eighth Step – Once a favorable licensing inspection has been completed for a Public-Use Facility the sponsor shall submit the FAA Form 5010-3 that is included in your FAA issued airspace determination letter to obtain the airport’s FAA Location ID and Site Number. Once the Location ID and Site Number is obtained then a license can be issued.
  9. Ninth Step – Aircraft operations can begin for both a public-use and private-use facility. Private-use airports will need to renew their registration.

For More information on Private-Use Airports: Click here

For More information on Public-use Airports: Click Here

For more information on Temporary Airports: Click Here