Fla. Admin. Code R. 14-60.007
Airports fulfilling the requirements of Title 14, C.F.R., Aeronautics and Space, Chapter 1, Federal Aviation Regulations, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, Part 139, Certification and Operations: Land Airports Serving Certain Air Carriers, dated January 1, 2004, incorporated herein by reference, airport certification program shall be considered to meet the minimum standards for licensed airports shown below. All airports licensed by the state of Florida, whether public or private, shall comply with the following minimum airfield standards.
(1) Minimum Landing Area Dimensions for Licensed Airports. Runway design must take into consideration the manufacturer’s performance characteristics for the type(s) of aircraft planned for flight operations, as provided by the airport applicant. Runway length must be compatible with the operational and weight characteristics of the aircraft in use. The final decision to attempt a takeoff or landing on a runway of any particular size is ultimately the responsibility of the pilot, who knows the aircraft’s performance capabilities and limitations. However, in order to promote a consistent level of safety throughout the Florida Aviation System, all airports licensed by the state of Florida must comply with the following minimum landing area dimensions, i.e., effective landing area length and minimum landing area width, for the type of landing area shown below:
| Landing Area Type | Effective Landing Area Length | Minimum Landing Area Width |
|---|---|---|
| Runway | 2,400 feet | 60 feet |
| Short Field Runway | 800 feet | 60 feet |
| Ultralight | 300 feet | 150 feet |
| Seaplane* | 2,500 feet | 200 feet |
| Helipad | 24 feet | 24 feet |
| *Seaplane landing areas shall have a minimum water depth of three feet. |
(2) Landing and Surface Areas for Licensed Airports.
(b) Primary Surface. The “Primary Surface” is a defined surface area that surrounds and protects the landing area. The dimensions of the primary surface vary by type of landing area, weight of the landing aircraft, visibility, and the type of landing approach.
1. Airport primary surfaces are rectangular in shape and run longitudinally along the length of the centerline and on either side of the runway. The elevation of any point on the airport primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway centerline. The consistent width of the primary surface of a runway shall be that width required for the most precise approach for either end of that runway. The following licensed airport primary surface standards apply:
a. For a runway that is not paved, that is to be used by an aircraft of any weight, and that has a visual landing approach: the length of the primary surface is the length of the runway, terminating at the end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 250 feet.
b. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs less than or equal to 12,500 pounds, and that has a visual landing approach: the primary surface extends the length of the runway plus 200 feet beyond each end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 250 feet.
c. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs less than or equal to 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach: the primary surface extends the length of the runway plus 200 feet beyond each end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 500 feet.
d. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a visual landing approach: the primary surface extends the length of the runway plus 200 feet beyond each end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 500 feet.
e. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach with visibility greater than 3/4 mile: the primary surface extends the length of the runway plus 200 feet beyond each end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 500 feet.
f. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach with visibility equal to 3/4 mile: the primary surface extends the length of the runway plus 200 feet beyond each end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 1,000 feet.
g. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a precision instrument approach: the primary surface extends the length of the runway plus 200 feet beyond each end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 1,000 feet.
h. For an ultralight landing area, that is to be used by an ultralight aircraft, and that has a visual landing approach: the length of the primary surface is the length of the runway, terminating at the end of the runway and the width of the primary surface is 150 feet.
i. For a seaplane landing area with markers designating the waterway landing and takeoff area and that has a visual landing approach: the length of the primary surface is the length of the waterway, terminating at the end of the waterway and the width of the primary surface is 250 feet.
j. For a seaplane landing area with no markers designating the waterway landing and takeoff area: the primary surface is not applicable.
2. Heliport primary surfaces have an area that coincides in size and shape with the designated helicopter FATO. The elevation of the heliport primary surface is a horizontal plane at the elevation of the established heliport elevation. The following licensed heliport primary surface standards apply:
a. For a heliport with a visual landing approach: the primary surface length and width are 42 feet each.
b. For a heliport with a non-precision instrument approach: the primary surface length and width are 500 feet each.
c. For a heliport with a precision instrument approach: the primary surface length and width are 1,000 feet each.
(c) Approach Surface. The approach surface is a defined surface area that surrounds and protects the landing approach area. The approach surface is longitudinally centered on the extended runway centerline and extends outward and upward from each end of the runway primary surface. The approach surface horizontal component is trapezoidal in shape with the inner width equal to the width of the primary surface. The outer width flares outward to a greater width depending on the type of landing area, weight of the landing aircraft, visibility, and the type of landing approach. Additionally, the outer width of an approach surface to an end of a runway shall be that width required for the most precise landing approach for that runway end. The approach surface also has a vertical component given by a “ratio,” such as 20:1, which means that for every 20 feet measured, horizontally, the vertical component increases one foot upward. A specific approach surface is applied to each end of each runway based upon the type of landing approach existing or planned for that specific runway end, meaning that different approach surface dimensions and ratios can exist at opposite ends of the same runway.
1. The following licensed airport approach surface standards apply:
a. For a runway that is not paved, that is to be used by an aircraft of any weight, and that has a visual landing approach: the approach surface ratio is 20:1, the length is 5,000 feet, the inner width is 250 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 1,250 feet.
b. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs less than or equal to 12,500 pounds, and that has a visual landing approach: the approach surface ratio is 20:1, the length is 5,000 feet, the inner width is 250 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 1,250 feet.
c. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs less than or equal to 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach: the approach surface ratio is 20:1, the length is 10,000 feet, the inner width is 500 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 2,000 feet.
d. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a visual landing approach: the approach surface ratio is 20:1, the length is 5,000 feet, the inner width is 500 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 1,500 feet.
e. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach with visibility greater than 3/4 mile: the approach surface ratio is 34:1, the length is 10,000 feet, the inner width is 500 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 3,500 feet.
f. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach with visibility equal to 3/4 mile: the approach surface ratio is 34:1, the length is 10,000 feet, the inner width is 1,000 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 4,000 feet.
g. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a precision instrument approach: the approach surface ratio is 50:1 for the first 10,000 feet then the ratio is 40:1 for an additional 40,000 feet, the inner width is 1,000 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 16,000 feet.
h. For an ultralight landing area with an ultralight aircraft and that has a visual landing approach: the approach surface ratio is 15:1, the length is 2,500 feet, the inner width is 150 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 625 feet.
i. For a seaplane landing area with markers designating the waterway landing and takeoff area and that has a visual landing approach: the approach surface ratio is 20:1, the length is 5,000 feet, the inner width is 250 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 1,250 feet.
j. For a seaplane landing area with no markers designating the waterway landing and takeoff area: the approach surface is not applicable.
2. The following licensed heliport approach surface standards apply:
a. For a heliport with a visual landing approach: the approach surface ratio is 8:1, the length is 4,000 feet, the inner width is 42 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 500 feet.
b. For a heliport with a non-precision instrument approach: the approach surface ratio is 34:1, the length is 10,000 feet, the inner width is 500 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 5,000 feet.
c. For a heliport with a precision instrument approach: the approach surface ratio is 50:1, the length is 25,000 feet, the inner width is 1,000 feet, and the outer width of the approach surface is 6,000 feet.
(d) Transition Surface. The transition surface is a defined surface area that surrounds and protects the lateral boundaries of the primary and approach surfaces. The transition surface extends outward and upward at right angles to the runway centerline and the extended runway centerline at a specified ratio from the sides of the primary surface and from the sides of the approach surface. The transition surface has a vertical component given by a “ratio,” such as 7:1, which means that for every 7 feet measured horizontally, the vertical component increases one foot upward. The horizontal component extends laterally a specified horizontal distance or to an unspecified horizontal distance at which a specified height of the vertical component is attained. The dimensions of the transition surface vary by type of landing area, weight of the landing aircraft, visibility, and the type of landing approach.
1. The following licensed airport transition surface standards apply:
a. For a runway that is not paved, that is to be used by an aircraft of any weight, and that has a visual landing approach: the transition surface is not applicable.
b. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs less than or equal to 12,500 pounds, and that has a visual landing approach: the transition surface is not applicable.
c. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs less than or equal to 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach: the transition surface ratio is 7:1 and the horizontal length is to the point where the vertical height component is 150 feet.
d. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a visual landing approach: the transition surface is not applicable.
e. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach with visibility greater than 3/4 mile: the transition surface ratio is 7:1 and the horizontal length is to the point where the vertical component is 150 feet.
f. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a non-precision instrument approach with visibility equal to 3/4 mile: the transition surface ratio is 7:1 and the horizontal length is to the point where the vertical component is 150 feet.
g. For a runway that is paved, that is to be used by an aircraft that weighs greater than 12,500 pounds, and that has a precision instrument approach: the transition surface ratio is 7:1 and the horizontal length is to the point where the vertical height component is 150 feet.
h. For an ultralight landing area with an ultralight aircraft and that has a visual landing approach: the transition surface is not applicable.
i. For a seaplane landing area with markers designating the waterway landing and takeoff area and that has a visual landing approach: the transition surface is not applicable.
j. For a seaplane landing area with no markers designating the waterway landing and takeoff area: the transition surface is not applicable.
2. The following licensed heliport transition surface standards apply:
a. For a heliport with a visual landing approach: the transition surface ratio is 2:1, which extends horizontally for a distance of 250 feet.
b. For a heliport with a non-precision instrument approach: the transition surface ratio is 4:1, which extends horizontally for a distance of 350 feet.
c. For a heliport with a precision instrument approach: the transition ratio is 7:1, which extends horizontally for a distance of 350 feet.
| Landing Area | Primary Surface | Approach Surface | Transition Surface | ||||||
| Surface | Approach | Length | Width | Ratio | Length | Width | Ratio | Distance | |
| Inner | Outer | ||||||||
| Not Paved | Visual | End of Runway | 250 feet | 20:1 | 5,000 feet | 250 feet | 1,250 feet | N/A | N/A |
| Paved & Aircraft Weight < = 12,500 Pounds | Visual | 200 feet Beyond End of Runway | 250 feet | 20:1 | 5,000 feet | 250 feet | 1,250 feet | N/A | N/A |
| Non Precision | 500 feet | 20:1 | 10,000 feet | 500 feet | 2,000 feet | 7:1 | 150 feet Vertical | ||
| Paved & Aircraft Weight > 12,500 Pounds | Visual | 200 Feet Beyond End of Runway | 500 feet | 20:1 | 5,000 feet | 500 feet | 1,500 feet | N/A | N/A |
| Non Precision Visibility > 3/4 Mile | 500 feet | 34:1 | 10,000 feet | 500 feet | 3,500 feet | 7:1 | 150 feet Vertical | ||
| Non Precision Visibility = 3/4 Mile | 1,000 feet | 34:1 | 10,000 feet | 1,000 feet | 4,000 feet | 7:1 | 150 feet Vertical | ||
| Precision | 1,000 feet | 50:1 Then 40:1 | 10,000 feet Then 40,000 feet | 1,000 feet | 16,000 feet | 7:1 | 150 feet Vertical | ||
| Helicopter Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO) | Visual | 42 feet | 42 feet | 8:1 | 4,000 feet | 42 feet | 500 feet | 2:1 | 250 feet Vertical |
| Non Precision | 500 feet | 500 feet | 34:1 | 10,000 feet | 500 feet | 5,000 feet | 4:1 | 350 feet Vertical | |
| Precision | 1,000 feet | 1,000 feet | 50:1 | 25,000 feet | 1,000 feet | 6,000 feet | 7:1 | 350 feet Vertical | |
| Ultralight Area | Visual | End of Runway | 150 feet | 15:1 | 2,500 feet | 150 feet | 625 feet | N/A | N/A |
| Seaplane Marked | Visual | End of Runway | 250 feet | 20:1 | 5,000 feet | 250 feet | 1,250 feet | N/A | N/A |
| Seaplane Not Marked | Visual | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
(3) Thresholds and Displaced Thresholds for Licensed Airports. The threshold is the beginning of that portion of the runway available for landing. Any obstacle, natural or manmade, in the landing approach path to the runway that, because of its height, penetrates through the specified approach ratio to that runway constitutes an obstruction and a hazard to air navigation. Until the hazardous obstruction is removed, it shall be necessary to adjust the approach path by moving or displacing that threshold point down the length of the runway to some “Displaced Threshold” position, at which safe aircraft passage above the obstruction is assured.
(4) Vertical Approach Clearance for Licensed Airports. When the landing approach to any runway crosses a road, railroad, traverseway, or waterway, the aircraft landing approach glide path shall provide the following minimum vertical clearance over ground objects:
(5) Runway Safety Areas for Licensed Airports. The runway safety area is a defined surface surrounding the runway designed to provide an additional measure of safety by being a specially prepared or a suitable ground surface intended to reduce the risk of damage to aircraft in the event of an undershoot, overshoot, or excursion from the runway. The following licensed airport runway safety area standards apply:
| Landing Area Type | Safety Area Length | Safety Area Width |
|---|---|---|
| Runway (Not Paved) | End of Runway | 120 feet |
| Runway (Paved) | 240 feet Beyond End of Runway | 120 feet |
| Ultralight | 300 feet | 150 feet |
| Heliport | 20 feet Beyond FATO | 20 feet Beyond FATO |
| Seaplane | N/A | N/A |
(6) Runway Pavement Standards for Licensed Airports. Pavement Condition Index. The “Pavement Condition Index” (“PCI”) value is an indicator of the integrity and viability of a runway surface with a focus on pavement cracking, swelling, rutting, and depressions. For runway pavement, the value indicates the capability of the runway surface, in contact with aircraft tires, to provide a suitable environment for maintaining aircraft directional control, which may be adversely affected by runway undulations, or for preventing foreign object damage. Foreign object damage can result from pavement spalling, which may dislodge small or large pieces of pavement that could severely damage aircraft control surfaces or propellers, penetrate aircraft wing or fuselage surfaces protecting flammable fuel tanks or other critical components, or be ingested into turbo-jet or turboprop-jet engine intakes with potential catastrophic loss of power during critical phases of flight.
| Qualitative Rating | PCI Value | |
| Minimum | Maximum | |
| Excellent | 86 | 100 |
| Very Good | 71 | 85 |
| Good | 56 | 70 |
| Fair | 41 | 55 |
| Poor | 26 | 40 |
| Very Poor | 11 | 25 |
| Failed | 0 | 10 |
(7) Airfield Improvements for Licensed Airports. All licensed airports shall comply with paragraphs (a) through (f), below. Licensed airports that include a seaplane landing area shall comply with paragraphs (a) through (g), below:
(8) Additional Responsibilities for Licensed Airport.
(9) Airport Marking. The following airport marking requirements apply to licensed airports:
(l) Common Marking Requirements:
1. Glass beads shall be required for all permanent pavement markings.
2. All markings on light colored pavements shall be outlined with a black border six inches or greater in width.
(10) Airport Lighting. The Department does not require airports to be lighted. However, if an airport is lighted, it shall comply with the following standards. The minimum lights that shall be provided are threshold and runway end lights, displaced threshold lights, segmented circle lights, FATO or TLOF lights, and windsock lights. All lights shall be on flush or frangible mounts not more than 14 inches tall. The following airport lighting requirements shall apply to licensed airports:
Rulemaking Authority 330.29(4), 334.044(2) FS. Law Implemented 330.29, 330.30 FS. History–New 10-29-65, Amended 11-23-72, 4-18-76, 11-19-81, 1-8-85, Formerly 14-60.07, Amended 12-26-95, 10-10-04.