Non-Aeronautical Use of Obligated Airports

Once in a while there is a need in their communities to use a portion of the airport for some non-aeronautical purpose. This might come in the form of temporarily storing materials in a vacant building, one-day community outreach events, or on-going training sessions, but the request types could be endless. To ensure compliance with the airports’ obligations under the federal grants, these airports are required to receive approval from either the FAA or the NHDOT/Bureau of Aeronautics. The NHDOT/Bureau of Aeronautics works with the Block Grant airport sponsors to review and approve or disapprove these non-aeronautical uses of their airports. In order to protect the continued safe use of these airports for aeronautical purposes, airport sponsors must submit sufficient information for NHDOT/Bureau of Aeronautics to be able to complete the review and issue a finding. This submission may be by electronic or hardcopy. If additional information is needed prior to a finding being issued, NHDOT/Bureau of Aeronautics will contact the airport sponsor. FAA reviews all non-aeronautical airport use requests for the non-Block Grant airports in New Hampshire.

Sample Request for Non-Aeronautical Use of Obligated Airports

The ________________, sponsor of ___________________ Airport, requests review and comment on the following proposed non-aeronautical use of ______________________ Airport.

• Description of activity including duration (including setup and teardown, if applicable).
• Identify the location of activity on the airport.
• Description of impact on aeronautical uses (include impacts on active aircraft movements, navigational aid critical areas, aviation fueling, airport safety/gate access).
• Description of any local permits needed, if any.
• Description of any environmental concerns and how they will be addressed (e.g., fuel leaks, smoke, fire).
• Explanation of fees to be charged by the airport; if no fees are to be charged, provide justification why no fees will be charged.
• Provide airport sponsor’s plan to keep all parties safe while operating at the airport (i.e., Event Safety Plan); be sure to include FOD management, runway incursion prevention, NAVAID facility protection, UAS activity coordination, ATCT coordination, airport sponsor will be on site for the duration of the event ensuring compliance with these conditions and Event Safety Plan, UNICOM usage, issuance of NOTAMS, gate access, protection of airport design surfaces (RSA, ROFA, TSA, TOFA, etc.), and protection of airspace.
• Explain what other venues has the airport sponsor or proponent has investigated for this use and explain why none were suitable.
• Include the determination from FAA’s OE/AAA evaluation, if appropriate.
• Explain how the event’s location will not interfere with normal aeronautical use of the airport.
• Explain how adequate aeronautical facilities will remain open to air traffic.
• Explain the airport sponsor’s efforts to coordinate this event with airport users; place coordination documentation in airport sponsor’s files.
• Will obstructions, as determined by FAA to be hazards, be constructed for this event? If not, please state so.
• Explain that the airport sponsor will issue proper NOTAMs in advance of the event.
• Describe how the the portion of the airport to be closed or not available for aeronautical use will be properly marked, signed, or barricaded.
• Identify if FAA/Flight Standards District Office and/or air carriers will be notified, as appropriate.
• Explain that all markings, signage, and barricades will be removed and damage repaired, if any, within 24 hours of the end of the event.

The airport sponsor will comply with the following grant assurances even with the proposed non-aeronautical [use][activity]:

• Grant Assurance #19: State how the airport sponsor will continue to operate in a safe and serviceable manner.
• Grant Assurance #22: State if the airport sponsor is not preventing the aeronautical use of the airport. State if the airport sponsor be collecting the off-airport land lease rates ensuring economic non-discrimination for this event. State that the airport sponsor has established reasonable conditions to be met by the proponent to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport.
• Grant Assurance #24: State if the airport sponsor be collecting the off-airport land lease rate for the duration of this non-aeronautical use of airport property.
• Grant Assurance #25: State that the funds collected by the airport sponsor for this non-aeronautical use, if any, will be deposited in the airport sponsor’s dedicated account for the operation and maintenance of the airport.