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Airport Licensing
Airport licenses are issued for both public- and private-use airports. Requirements for licensing and registration vary depending on airport utilization.
The Airport Services Division provides resources and guidance on behalf of the Virginia Department of Aviation.
Forms:
Citations:
Public-use Airport Licensing
Public-use airports are required to be licensed with the DOAV under Code of Virginia §5.1-7 and Virginia Administrative Code 24VAC5-20-120 et seq. The licensure of an airport does not relieve the sponsor of any compliance responsibilities relating to any law, ordinance, or regulation of any local governmental body. Adequate liability insurance and compliance with state requirements are conditions for the licensing of public-use airports in accordance with Code of Virginia §5.1-88.7. The public-use license can be suspended or revoked for any airport for which adequate insurance is not maintained.
The public-use airport license identifies a facility that is open to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis; has sufficient financial responsibility to adequately protect public safety and investment; and is eligible to receive public financial support. A public-use airport license, valid for a 7-year period, is issued in two parts, with Part 1 being a formal certificate and Part 2 documenting compliance with runway safety requirements that are in accordance with Code of Virginia §5.1-7 and 24VAC5-20-140.
A fee is charged to initiate, amend, or renew a license for a public-use airport. In accordance with 24VAC5-20-180, the licensing fee is $25. Licensing fees are placed in the Aviation Special Fund and must be used for aviation purposes.
Details on airport licensing, minimum requirements for licensure, and the conditional license process are provided below.
Licensing Application
Airport sponsors will need to apply for a public-use airport license for a new airport or a license amendment when a runway is added or extended. The completed application form will need to be submitted to DOAV with the following required documentation:
- a signed copy of the resolution of the airport’s governing body or owner supporting or requesting a new airport, a new runway, or a runway extension;
- a copy of the airport’s property map displaying the proposed airport, runway extension, or new runway, together with a copy of the most recently approved airport master plan or layout plan showing the proposal;
- a letter or other documentation that the proposed airport, new runway, or runway extension complies with local zoning ordinance and requirements;
- a completed copy of Federal Aviation Administration Form 7480-1: Notice of Landing Area Proposal;
- an environmental assessment report of analysis prepared pursuant to Code of Virginia §5.1-7 if applicable; and
- evidence of financial responsibility in the amounts specified in Code of Virginia §5.1-88.8.
License Renewal
DOAV will notify sponsors when their licenses need to be renewed. A staggered schedule for renewals has been established so all renewals are not due at the same time. The renewal of amended licenses will be based on the renewal schedule instead of the date of the amendment.
Sponsors need to complete a Virginia Public-Use Airport License Renewal Form and submit it to DOAV with the license fee. If a sponsor does not act upon notification and the license is not renewed, the sponsor will not be eligible to receive any state aviation funding for new project requests, reimbursement requests for existing grants and special fund allocations, and, for air carrier airports, entitlement payments.
When changes to an airport’s physical infrastructure and approaches deviate from the previous issuance of a license, the license may not be renewed, or it could be revoked.
License Modification for Ownership Transfer
In accordance with 24VAC5-20-150 Transfer of licenses, an airport license may not be transferred to another sponsor without DOAV approval. A new sponsor will need to apply for a license. The completed application form and licensing fee will need to be submitted with the following supporting documents:
- copy of the sales agreement;
- copy of the assumption agreement recorded by transferee;
- copy of the Certificate of Financial Responsibility (DOAV ASD03-1) in accordance with Code of Virginia §5.1-88.7 for the new owner;
- copy of the airport layout plan;
- copy of the deed of transfer with airport property plat; and
- copy of the notification to FAA of ownership transfer that includes FAA site number; the location identification of the airport; and the name, address, and phone of the new owner.
If the airport name will change with ownership, the application form should also indicate this change.
License Modification for Name Change
When the sponsor changes the name of the airport, the sponsor must submit an application for a license modification with the licensing fee and the following supporting documents:
- copy of the notification to FAA of the airport name change that includes FAA site number and the location identification of the airport; and
- copy of the instrument used by the airport’s governing body to approve the name change (resolution, minutes, etc.).
Minimum Requirements for Airport Licensing
Code of Virginia §5.1-7 sets the requirement that an airport must meet minimum requirements to receive and maintain a license. These minimum requirements are specified in Virginia Administrative Code 24VAC5-20-140 Minimum requirements of licensing as follows:
Standard Airport License
- an effective runway length of at least 2,000 feet for each direction of operation;
- minimum runway width of 50 feet;
- minimum runway safety area length equal to the length of the runway plus 100 feet at each end of the runway;
- minimum runway safety area width of 120 feet centered on the runway centerline;
- minimum unobstructed approach surface of 15:1 horizontal to vertical slope at each end of the runway;
- approach surface that is centered along the runway centerline and that begins at the threshold at a width of 250 feet; expands uniformly for a distance of 2,250 feet to a width of 700 feet; and continues at the width of 700 feet for a distance of 2,750 feet;
- minimum unobstructed runway object free area length equal to the length of the runway;
- minimum unobstructed runway object free area width of 250 feet centered on the runway centerline; and
- displaced threshold, if an approach surface to either physical end of the runway is obstructed and the obstacle cannot be removed, that shall be located down the runway at the point where the obstruction clearance plane intersects the runway centerline.
Day/VFR Use Only Airport License
- an effective runway length of at least 2,000 feet for each direction of operation;
- minimum runway width of 50 feet;
- minimum runway safety area length equal to the length of the runway plus 100 feet at each end of the runway;
- minimum runway safety area width of 120 feet centered on the runway centerline;
- minimum unobstructed approach surface of 15:1 horizontal to vertical slope at each end of the runway; and
- approach surface that is centered along the runway centerline and that begins at the threshold at a width of 120 feet; expands uniformly for a distance of 500 feet to a width of 300 feet; and continues at the width of 300 feet for a distance of 2,500 feet.
Heliport License
- minimum standard dimensions as provided in the current FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-2 Heliport Design.
Seaplane Base License
- minimum standard dimensions as provided in the current FAA Advisory Circular 150/5395 Seaplane Bases.
Other requirements
- In addition to the investigation required for safety provisions as outlined in Code of Virginia §5.1-7, a detailed consideration of the economic, social, and environmental effects of the airport location shall be conducted for applications for new and modified licenses. These considerations shall include one or more public hearings as required to assure consistency with the goals and objectives of planning as has been carried out by the community.
- Proof of financial responsibility prescribed in Chapter 8.2 (§ 5.1-88.7 et seq.) of Title 5.1 of the Code of Virginia must be furnished at the time of application of license; and this financial responsibility thereafter must be maintained.
Conditional Licenses
Airports may not always meet the minimum requirements as specified in Virginia Administrative Code 24VAC5-20-140 Minimum requirements of licensing. Virginia Administrative Code 24VAC5-20-275 Conditional licenses provides a process for addressing such situations.
If at any time an airport does not meet all of the minimum requirements for licensing, the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) will issue a conditional use license for a period of 180 days. Conditional licenses shall specify the requirements with which the airport is not in compliance. Upon receipt of notification of nonconformance, the airport sponsor shall issue the appropriate Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the noncompliant conditions in accordance with 24VAC5-20-140. The NOTAM shall remain in place until the noncompliant condition is resolved.
Within 60 days of notification of nonconformance, the airport sponsor must submit a written mitigation plan to the DOAV that includes, but is not limited to, means of resolving noncompliant conditions; a schedule for the performance of the mitigation; and, if applicable, the cost to the Commonwealth. The airport sponsor or designee must present the mitigation plan to the Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) at the meeting specified in the notification of nonconformance. In response to the presentation, the VAB will recommend at least one of the following to the DOAV:
- extend the conditional use license for a specified time period;
- issue a “Day/VFR Use Only License”;
- issue a waiver in accordance with 24VAC5-20-145; and
- revoke the public-use license in accordance with 24VAC5-20-280.
Failure by the airport sponsor or designee to submit a written mitigation plan or failure to present the plan to the VAB will result in at least one of the actions above being implemented.
At any time an airport sponsor may request the DOAV to reclassify its license. Upon reclassification of a license, the airport sponsor shall issue an appropriate NOTAM for a minimum period of 180 days.
Private-use Airport Licensing and Registration
Private-use airports, heliports, or landing areas within five miles of a public-use airport must apply for a private-use landing area license. A one-time process provides review of an individual’s request to build a private-use facility on private property. No fee is charged to license a private-use airport.
If a private-use airport, heliport, or landing area is not within five miles of a public-use airport, the owner is required to register the private use airport with DOAV. No fee is charged to register a private-use airport.