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Site Approval and Registration Process
Site Approval and Registration Process Q&As
Temporary Airport/Heliport Site Approval

1. Does Florida inspect and/or license any private-use airports within the state?
2. What does airport "site approval" mean?
3. What are the legislative authority and rule-making references for approval and registration?
4. What are "general" site approval criteria?
5. When should site approval be obtained?
6. What types of airports are "exempt"?
7. How do I apply for airport site approval?
8. How long is the site approval process?
9. Why does the process take 45 days and why is there a possibility of more delay?
10. What are "specific" site approval criteria?
11. Where do I send all of this information?
12. How will I know if a petition was filed?
13. How long is airport site approval valid?
14. Why would FDOT revoke site approval?
15. What does airport "registration" mean?
16. When do I register a "new" private airport?
17. When do I register an "existing" private airport?
18. What if airport registration is not done?
19. What is the option for a private airport to request FDOT inspection and licensing?
20. What are airport licensing standards?
21. Who is responsible for airport safety?

Site Approval and Registration Process

As a sponsor of a proposed or existing private-use airport, who is ready to begin the site approval or registration process, please click on the hyperlink above for immediate access to the interactive website maintained by FDOT Aviation Office as a component of the www.floridaprivateairport.com. Sponsors who are new to the idea of creating a private use airport are urged to review the Questions & Answers below to become better familiar with the legal requirements, sequence of events, and expected time allocation for this process.

Site Approval and Registration Process Q&As

1. Does Florida inspect and/or license any private-use airports within the state?
   All private airports in the State of Florida must comply with "site approval" and "registration" requirements. There is no requirement for inspection and licensing of private-use airports, either private or public-owned. However, airports open to public-use, private or public-owned, must comply with Florida's "inspection" and "licensing" requirements. An option exists, however, allowing for inspection and licensing of private-use airports that meet certain state specified criteria. There are no fees for these services.
   
   
2. What does airport "site approval" mean?
   Site approval is the first step of a two step process for anyone to establish a "new" airport in the state for private use. This step examines criteria established by the Aviation Office of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to determine the feasibility of a new airport at the requested location.
   
   
3. What are the legislative authority and rule-making references for approval and registration?
   • Chapter 330, Florida Statutes, "Regulation of Aircraft, Pilots, and Airports"
   • Chapter 14-60, Florida Administrative Code, "Airport Licensing, Registration, and Airspace Protection"
   
   
4. What are "general" site approval criteria?
   FDOT Aviation Office will grant site approval if it is satisfied that the proposal meets the following criteria:
   • Adequate area has been allocated.
   • The proposed airport will conform with all registration requirements and will also comply with all applicable local regulations or zoning requirements.
   • Airports, local governments, and property owners affected by the proposal have all been notified and their submitted comments have been given adequate consideration.
   • Safe aircraft traffic patterns can be established at the proposed airport with all existing airports and also all approved, future airport sites in the vicinity of the proposed airport.
   
   
5. When should site approval be obtained?
   Florida law states that, unless an airport is exempt from this requirement, the owner or lessee of any proposed airport shall obtain approval of the airport site from the FDOT prior to site acquisition, construction, or establishment of the proposed airport.
   
   
6. What types of airports are "exempt"?
   The law also states the following type airports are exempt from its provisions:
   • An airport owned or operated by the United States.
   • An ultralight landing area located more than 5nm from public or military airport, except any ultralight landing area with more than 10 ultralights.
   • A helistop used by mosquito control or emergency services, not to include areas where permanent facilities are installed, such as hospital sites.
   • Seasonally-based aircraft airport sites for aerial application or spraying of crops, as stated in the law.
   • Any body of water, land, or structure that facilitates private seaplane use.
   
   
7. How do I apply for airport site approval?
   As part of new legislative requirements, FDOT has created an internet-based, interactive website for site approval at www.floridaprivateairport.com. Instructions are shown on the website. However, a private-use airport owner must first have an established e-mail address in order to receive notification of a "user ID" and "password", which are required to enter this controlled access site. The process is very user-friendly. However, FDOT recommends reviewing requirements in advance to be able to readily complete the process. The airport owner is required to certify that all specific requirements have been accomplished and that the owner will adhere to other stated provisions.
   
   
8. How long is the site approval process?
   FDOT will immediately examine airport site approval information submitted by the applicant on the interactive website. Incomplete information will preclude approval and will result in notification to the applicant of existing deficiencies to be corrected. Delays in the process can be avoided by reviewing site approval criteria in advance. Be prepared when beginning the interactive site approval application process to avoid any delays. Applications that are complete and that meet all criteria will have an airport site approval order issued by FDOT. From the date of issuance, the site approval will be effective 45 days later, unless a petition, objecting to the order, is filed.
   
   
9. Why does the process take 45 days and why is there a possibility of more delay?
   The 45 day delay is necessary to meet statutory requirement for public review. An airport site approval order may also be further delayed pending outcome of an administrative hearing caused by a petition, filed in objection to the order. Please see Chapter 14-60 Florida Administrative Code for criteria.
   
   
10. What are "specific" site approval criteria?
    In addition to the "general" criteria above, "specific" criteria for airport site approval include the following:
    • Property Rights - The private airport applicant must have legal ownership, lease agreement, or owners' consent for all jointly owned airport property.
    • Facility Diagram - Possess a detailed scale drawing of the proposed facility.
    • Geodetic Position - Possess USGS or other map with airport site plotted to nearest second latitude and longitude.
    • Location Map - Have an 8.5 x 11 inch map or sketch of site with landmarks.
    • Aviation Facilities - Notify adjacent airports of the proposed new airport.
    • Local Government - Airport must be consistent with applicable city/county government zoning requirements.
    • Adjacent Property - Nearby property owners' concerns must be considered.
    • Public Notice - Provide public notice of intention to locate proposed airport.
    • Waste Sites - Proposed airports can not be located near solid waste sites.
    • Traffic Pattern - All air traffic patterns must be coordinated with existing and other planned airports within 3 miles.
    • Safety Factors - Airport design must be compatible with planned aircraft performance and airport operations.
    • Security Factors - Airport owner must provide appropriate security measures.
    • FAA Approval - The airport proposal must have been submitted to the FAA and FAA airspace approval obtained.
    
    
11. Where do I send all of this information?
    Do not send the information, but retain it for your personal records in order to be able to respond to future local, state, or federal inquiry about your private airport.
    
    
12. How will I know if a petition was filed?
    If a petition for an administrative hearing is filed, FDOT will immediately notify the private airport applicant. The effective date of the airport site approval order or its denial will be determined by the outcome of the administrative hearing.
    
    
13. How long is airport site approval valid?
    An airport site approval order remains valid for a period of two years from its effective date, unless it has been revoked by FDOT. A site approval order can be extended for subsequent periods of two years
    
    
14. Why would FDOT revoke site approval?
    FDOT would revoke site approval, if:
    • Airport site has been abandoned.
    • Site has not been developed as an airport within two (2) years of the order date or its development does not comply with any condition that is specified in the site approval order.
    • Aircraft have operated on the site prior to private airport registration, except as may be required for an in-flight emergency.
    • Airport site is no longer usable for aviation purposes due to physical or legal changes in conditions.
    
    
15. What does airport "registration" mean?
    Registration is a requirement for anyone desiring to operate a private-use airport within the State of Florida. Registration is the second step of a two step process for anyone to establish a "new" airport for private use in the state. All owners of private airports in Florida are required to have data and information on file in the Florida Aviation Database related to the geographic location of the airport site, data for each runway, and airport owner and/or operator contact information.
    
    
16. When do I register a "new" private airport?
    For a new private airport, registration can be completed immediately after all of the following steps: the airport site approval order has been issued by the FDOT, the airport site approval order effectiveness date has passed, and no petition was filed with FDOT. However, if a petition was filed and a subsequent administrative hearing found in favor of airport site approval, registration may be completed immediately thereafter. On the other hand, if the administrative hearing resulted in denying the airport site approval, airport registration may not be accomplished and the airport will not be allowed to operate in the state.
    
    
17. When do I register an "existing" private airport?
    Having completed airport site approval, existing private airports will only require periodic registration. Airport registration can be completed any time and is valid for a period of two (2) years. All existing airport data and contact information, as of October 1, 2003, has been entered into the Florida Aviation Database. All of these airports have an initial registration valid until October 1, 2005. However, just like new airports after site approval, all existing private airports are required also to access the FDOT private airport registration and site approval website at www.floridaprivateairport.com to update and certify the airport data and contact information applicable to the private airport. Completion of this process will automatically extend the period of registration for two (2) years. Owners are encouraged to access the site to update data and information at anytime and for any reason, i.e. change in phone or fax number, e-mail address, ownership, length or width of runway, runway addition, or runway surface, etc. Site access is available for data entry and certification at all times, except for short periods of computer maintenance. Again, there is no fee for this service.
    
    
18. What if airport registration is not done?
    FDOT would revoke or refuse to allow any private airport registration or re-registration, if it determines that any of the following conditions exist or apply:
    • Airport registration has not been accomplished within 15 days after the date of expiration.
    • Airport site has been abandoned.
    • Airport does not comply with any specified condition of site approval.
    • Airport site is no longer usable for aviation purposes due to physical or legal changes in conditions.
    
    
19. What is the option for a private airport to request FDOT inspection and licensing?
    As stated, Florida law allows private airports to request inspection and licensing in lieu of registration:
    • Private airports having ten or more based aircraft may request this option.
    • Standards by which the private airport is held accountable in the inspection and licensing process are the same as for all airports licensed by the state.
    • For new private airports, site approval and registration must be completed as previously described before the option request will be addressed by FDOT.
    • Private airports licensed according to this exception will be considered as "private airports" in all other respects and shall not be open for "public" use.
    • FDOT will revert any private airport from licensed to registration category, if the airport is unable to comply with licensing standards or maintain the required number of based aircraft.
    • Any private airport licensed under this option may later request in writing to the FDOT that the airport be reverted from licensed to registration category.
    
    
20. What are airport licensing standards?
    All licensed airports, public or private are required to meet the same standards described in Chapter 14-60 FAC. These standards are all consistent with airport design and operational safety standards found in FAA regulations and guidelines. Please see Chapter 14-60 Florida Administrative Code for standards.
    
    
21. Who is responsible for airport safety?
    The owner is responsible for all safety and security issues at a private airport. Registered airports will not be subject to state inspections or licensing standards. Owners should consult state or federal guidelines or professional consultants.
    

Temporary Airport/Heliport Site Approval?

Who needs a Temporary Airport/Heliport Site Approval? Any site (airport/heliport) that will be used for a period of less than 30 days with no more than 10 operations per day. Examples of temporary airports/heliports are: film companies doing an aerial shoot, helicopter site seeing companies operating from a site for no longer than the aforementioned period of time.

FDOT's permitting process for a temporary airport location or helicopter landing site applies equally to any state, county, or city owned property in the state of Florida. To assist with the permitting process, the following information is required either by e-mail or fax in order for FDOT to approve a temporary site. This information should be received at least two weeks prior to the date of the event.

The proponent of the site location for the proposed temporary landing site and "certifies" the following information in an e-mail or fax. To certify, the manager signs a statement such as "I certify that the property owner has granted permission to use the property . . ." and so on down the list below.

• We have obtained permission from the land owner to use this property as a temporary landing facility.
• That adequate area has been allocated for the facility as proposed to take in account consideration of the manufacturer’s performance characteristics for the type of aircraft planned to be operated.
• That safe air traffic patterns can be established for the proposed facility.
• That appropriate steps will be taken to protect the general public health, safety and welfare through secure facility operations.
• That all conditions required by local authorities are adhered to and all applicable permits have been obtained.
• That the zoning authority for each municipality and county in which the site lies or which is located within five nautical miles have been notified and do not object.
• That all VFR landing facilities within three nautical miles and all IFR landing facilities within ten nautical miles of this heliport or all VFR landing facilities within five nautical miles and all IFR landing facilities within twenty nautical miles of this airport have been notified.
• That all real property owners within 300 feet of this heliport site perimeter or 1,000 feet of this airport site perimeter have been notified.
• That pursuant to Chapter 330.27(7), F.S., Temporary Airports are restricted to a period of less than 30 days with no more than 10 operations per day.

If the manager follows this process and meets all the requirements in a timely manner, the request moves quickly through the FDOT Aviation Office. E-mail information to alice.lammert@dot.state.fl.us or fax to 850- 412-8045. The temporary landing site approval will be e-mailed or faxed back before the date of the event (if approved).

Keep in mind
Any use of federally owned property requires approval from the federal government only. Use of a registered private airport or registered private heliport requires the property owner's permission only.

If you need additional information, please feel free to contact Ms. Alice Lammert, Airport Registration Program Manager, at 850-414-4503