Md. Code Regs. 11.03.04.07

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 11.03.04.07 - Airports: License

A. Scope. This regulation prescribes minimum licensed airport safety standards. For requirements concerning the airport noise control program, see COMAR 11.03.03, Airport Noise Control Program.

B. General.

(1) Airport Licensee Responsibility. The airport licensee is responsible for operating and maintaining the airport in compliance with State law.

(2) Appointment of Airport Manager. The airport licensee shall appoint an airport manager and notify the Administration of the appointment.

(3) License Display. The airport licensee shall prominently display the airport license at the airport or, if there are no buildings at the airport, at the office of the airport manager.

(4) Renewal. The airport license may be renewed annually.

(5) Transfer of License. An airport license may not be transferred either in its ownership or geographical location, unless the transfer is approved by the Administration.

(6) Liability Insurance.

(a) The owner of any aircraft based or hangared in this State may not operate or allow the operation of that aircraft without a liability insurance policy in force which covers the owner and the pilot for claims by passengers or other persons for injuries to them and their property which might arise out of the operation of the aircraft.

(b) The liability insurance policy shall provide coverage for a minimum of:

(i) $50,000 bodily injury per individual;

(ii) $100,000 bodily injury per accident; and

(iii) $50,000 property damage protection.

(7) Roster of Aircraft.

(a) All airports operated in this State shall maintain a roster of all aircraft based or hangared at that airport.

(b) The roster shall include, for each aircraft, the following:

(i) The "N" number, type, and model;

(ii) The name and address of the owner or operator;

(iii) The period of time which the aircraft has been hangared at the airport;

(iv) The insurance policy or binder number;

(v) The name of the insurance company shown on the policy; and

(vi) The name of the agent or broker.

(c) The above information shall be made available to the Administration at the annual on-site inspection to determine whether an airport is in compliance with the Transportation Article, § 5-1002, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(8) Discrimination or Segregation. All services performed at every licensed airport shall be without discrimination or segregation as to race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

(9) Waivers. Every waiver of an airport requirement shall be stated on the face of the airport license and every waiver granting a substantial deviation from these regulations shall be listed in the State airport directory.

(10) Existing Licensed Airports. The Administration shall waive any portion of these regulations for every existing airport licensed as of the effective date of these regulations if the application of the regulation would be an undue burden on the licensee and is not required in the interest of public safety. However, an airport seeking relicensing after a lapse of more than 30 days shall meet the requirements of these regulations.

C. Airport Manager.

(1) Availability of Airport Manager. The airport manager, or his authorized representative, shall be at the airport, or shall post how he can be contacted, during all hours of operation.

(2) Marking Dangerous Areas. If, for any reason, a landing area becomes dangerous or unusable, the manager shall mark each danger area with appropriate markers or close the landing area with an "X" clearly visible from pattern altitude.

(3) Notice to Airmen. The manager shall file a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) with the FAA designating any change in airport conditions that may affect safety.

(4) Hazards and Zoning Changes. The manager shall advise the Administration of any proposed construction or zoning change near the airport that may affect safety or airport use.

(5) Local Procedures. The manager shall prominently display the airport traffic pattern, ground traffic rules, noise abatement procedures, and any special orders relating to the airport and its operation at a prominent location on the airport.

D. Site Approval.

(1) Scope. Approval of a site by the Administration entitles the airport operator to an airport license upon completion of the airport, if all the requirements in the site approval and these regulations have been met. (Reference: Transportation Article, § 5-303, Annotated Code of Maryland)

(2) Application. Any person desiring to establish a licensed airport may apply on a form provided by the Administration. Applications for site approvals shall include:

(a) Name, address, and telephone number of applicant;

(b) Proposed use of airport;

(c) Location of the site;

(d) Schematic drawing of the proposed airport layout with airport dimensions shown;

(e) Location of obstructions over 150 feet high within a 1-mile radius;

(f) Airport noise control program data as required by COMAR 11.03.03 (for public-use airports only).

E. Temporary Commercial Use License. A temporary airport license for a period of not more than 30 days may be issued for commercial purposes if the designated landing area is inspected by the Administration and found to be safe for use by the type of aircraft and for the type of operation specified in the request for the temporary license.

F. Minimum Standards: Public-Use Airport.

(1) Scope. Every licensed public use airport that is not specifically limited to the landing and taking off of a special category of aircraft shall meet or exceed these standards.

(2) General Items.

Item	Minimum Standard
(a) Runway:
Length (paved)	2000 feet
Length (turf)	2000 feet
Width (paved)	50 feet
Width (paved): Runway restricted to visual flight rules traffic	40 feet
Width (turf)	75 feet
Longitudinal grade	2 percent or less
Graded width	100 feet
(b) Separations:
Runway centerline to taxiway centerline	100 feet
Runway centerline to buildings	150 feet
Runway centerline to tie down or apron area	125 feet
(c) Runway lighting (if operated at night):
Number of threshold lights (each end of runway)	3 on each side
Maximum longitudinal spacing	200 feet
Maximum distance off runway edge	15 feet
(d) Taxiway width	15 feet
(e) Wind direction indicator:
wind cone	Required
Lighted wind cone or lighted tetrahedron (if operated at night)	Required
(f) Segmented circle (with any nonstandard landing pattern indicated)	Required
(g) Obstruction lights	As necessary
(h) Fueling area:
Fire extinguisher	Required
Grounding clamps	Required
"No Smoking" signs	Required
(i) First aid kit	Required
(j) Telephone (with emergency number posted)	Required
(k) Shelter for pilots and crewmembers	Required

(3) Surface. The landing surface shall be smooth and free from hazards or obstructions.

(4) Obstruction-Free Approach Surface.

(a) An obstruction-free approach surface is an imaginary surface, established in relation to designated landing area, above which there are no obstructions to aerial navigation.

(b) The obstruction-free approach surface shall have a 20:1 slope with a 200-foot clear zone inner width and a 10:1 flare for each side. This standard obstruction-free approach surface is depicted in Diagram 1: Runway and Obstruction Free Approach Surface Configurations.

(5) Runway Visibility. The runway shall be in such condition that two airplanes at rest on the same runway are visible to each other except at airports where traffic control exists and is exercised.

(6) Lighting. If the airport is advertised as lighted for night operations, the lights shall be made available for use from dusk until dawn.

(7) Runway Marking.

(a) Nonpaved Runways. Markers shall be placed 200 feet apart outlining the length of landing surface on both sides. Thresholds shall be marked with at least four markers of a type approved by the Executive Director on each side of the landing area where the effective length commences. The threshold markers shall be 5 feet apart and placed on line 90 degrees to the runway heading.

(b) Paved Runways. Marking shall conform to current FAA standards.

(8) State Supplied Safety Equipment. The licensee shall install and operate any safety equipment, such as rotating beacons, wind cones, or other equipment supplied by the Administration.

(9) Compliance with National Standards. To promote uniform airport standards, every licensed airport with a runway over 3,200 feet long shall substantially comply with the airport design standards recommended in the "Airport Design FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13", which is incorporated by reference at COMAR 11.03.01.01A -1B(8). Deviations from these recommended standards shall be properly justified by the airport operator before a license will be issued by the Administration.

(10) FAA Certification Program. Airports fulfilling the requirements of the FAA airport certification program meet or exceed the minimum standards for a public-use airport.

G. Minimum Standards: Commercial-Use Airport.

(1) Scope. Every licensed commercial-use airport that is not specifically limited to the landing and taking off of a special category of aircraft shall meet or exceed these standards.

(2) General Items.

Item	Minimum Standard
(a) Runway:
Length (paved)	1,500 feet
Length (turf)	1,500 feet
Width (paved)	30 feet
Width (turf)	50 feet
Graded width	75 feet
(b) Clearance over adjoining land (unless waived by property owner)	20 feet
(c) Wind direction indicator	Required

(3) Surface. The landing area shall present a surface which may be used for the landing and take-off of aircraft without undue hazard.

(4) Obstruction-Free Approach Surface. The obstruction-free approach surface minimum standards for a commercial-use airport are the same as the public-use airport obstruction free approach surface minimum standards (see Diagram 1).

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H. Minimum Standards: Public-Use or Commercial-Use Seaplane Base.

(1) Scope. Every licensed airport specifically adapted for the landing and taking off of seaplanes shall meet or exceed these standards.

(2) Size. The body of water shall have a minimum effective length of at least mile and shall be of sufficient width and depth to permit the safe operation of aircraft on the surface.

(3) Boundary Markers. The area available for landing and take-off and for taxiing, when required in the interest of safety, shall be marked in a way approved by the Administration, or as may be required by the marine traffic regulations of the authority having jurisdiction.

(4) Hazards. Every hazard in the approach or landing area, including underwater obstructions, shall be marked in a way approved by the Administration.

(5) Wind Indicator. Every public-use seaplane base shall be equipped with a wind indicator which is clearly visible from pattern altitude. If night operations are conducted, the wind indicator shall be lighted.

(6) Minimum Facilities and Equipment. Every licensed seaplane base shall be equipped with, as a minimum:

(a) A dock ramp, or float, suitable for the loading of seaplanes;

(b) An immediately available life preserver of the ring or throw type with sufficient line attached;

(c) An immediately available boat and operable motor while student training flights are in progress.

I. Minimum Standards: Public-Use or Commercial-Use Heliport. To promote uniform heliport standards, every licensed heliport shall substantially comply with the appropriate recommendations in the "Heliport Design FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-2", which is incorporated by reference at COMAR 11.03.01.01A -1B(9).

J. Minimum Standards: Public Use or Commercial-Use Airport (Nonconventional Aircraft). Every licensed airport specifically adapted for the landing and taking off of airships, balloons, gliders, STOL aircraft, or other nonconventional types of aircraft not specifically provided for in these regulations shall meet or exceed the minimum safety requirements the Administration will prescribe for each application. These minimum safety requirements will be prescribed in light of the special operating characteristics of the specific nonconventional aircraft, the location and condition of the airport, and any other circumstances that may affect public safety.

Md. Code Regs. 11.03.04.07

Regulation .07B, D amended effective October 29, 1990 (17:21 Md. R. 2530)
Regulation .07F, I amended effective October 29, 1990 (17:21 Md. R. 2530); October 16, 2000 (27:20 Md. R. 1840)