Section 140. Minimum requirements for licensing

A. The minimum requirements that are required for initial and continued licensing under § 5.1-7 of the Code of Virginia shall provide for:

1. An effective runway length of at least 2,000 feet for each direction of operation;

2. A minimum runway width of 50 feet;

3. A minimum runway safety area length equal to the length of the runway plus 100 feet at each end of the runway;

4. A minimum runway safety area width of 120 feet centered on the runway centerline;

5. A minimum unobstructed approach surface of 15:1 horizontal to vertical slope at each end of the runway;

6. An 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;

7. A minimum unobstructed runway object free area length equal to the length of the runway;

8. A minimum unobstructed runway object free area width of 250 feet centered on the runway centerline; and

9. A 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.

B. The minimum requirements for the initial and continued licensing of an airport under the conditional Day/VFR Use Only License in accordance with 24VAC5-20-275 shall provide for:

1. An effective runway length of 2,000 feet in each direction of operation;

2. A minimum runway width of 50 feet;

3. A minimum runway safety area length equal to the length of the runway plus 100 feet at each end of the runway;

4. A minimum runway safety area width of 120 feet centered on the runway centerline;

5. A minimum unobstructed approach surface of 15:1 horizontal to vertical slope at each end of the runway; and

6. An 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.

C. The minimum requirements for the initial and continued licensing of a heliport open for public use under § 5.1-7 of the Code of Virginia shall provide for minimum standard dimensions as provided in the Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 150/5390-2B Heliport Design, effective September 30, 2004.

D. The minimum requirements for the initial and continued licensing of a seaplane base open for public use under § 5.1-7 of the Code of Virginia shall provide for minimum standard dimensions as provided in the Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 150/5395 Seaplane Bases, effective June 29, 1994.

E. In addition to the investigation required for safety provisions as outlined in § 5.1-7 of the Code of Virginia, 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.

F. 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.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR165-01-02:1 § 3.3, eff. September 9, 1992; amended, Volume 12, Issue 17, eff. June 12, 1996; Volume 30, Issue 04, eff. November 20, 2013.

Statutory Authority

§§ 5.1-2.2, 5.1-2.15, and 5.1-7 of the Code of Virginia.