The FAA develops engineering, design, and construction standards for civil airports, heliports, and seaplane bases. This includes standards for airfield pavement; airport lighting, marking, signs, and other visual aids; safety during construction; surveying and GIS data; deicing, ARFF, and other facilities; bird radar and foreign object detection systems; and more.
Advisory Circulars (ACs)
- Series 150 AC Library
- DOT Special Collections - Historical ACs (1957-2000)
Registration required
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Data, Tools, & Resources
- Aircraft Characteristics Database
- Airport Acronyms
- Airport Data and Information Portal (ADIP)
- Airport Design Software
- Airport Diagrams (digital - Terminal Procedures Publication)
- Foreign Object Debris Program
- National Flight Procedures (Instrument Approach Procedures)
- FAA Technical Center Library
- FAA Wildlife Strike Database
Guidance & Policy
- ACC/FAA Best Practices, 2008 (PDF)
- Clarification of Declared Distances for Non-turbine Powered Airplanes (PDF) (editorially updated 7/22/2020)
- FAA Review of Construction Plans and Specifications for AIP Funded Projects (PDF)
- Interim Guidance on Proposed Commercial Space Facilities and Operations at Federally Obligated or Part 139 Airports (PDF)
- Preformed Thermoplastic Airport Pavement Markings (PDF)
- Reminder of Responsibilities for Protecting Approach and Departure Surfaces (PDF)
- Thermal Exhaust Plume Impact on Airport Operations: Technical Guidance and Assessment Tool (PDF)
- Engineering Briefs (EBs)
- Flight Procedures and Airspace Group: Directives, Advisory Circulars, Letters & Memos
- Instrument Procedures Handbook
- Orders
Publications & Forms
Research & Development
- Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)
- Airport Technology Research and Development
- National Airport Pavement Test Facility
Related Information
Regional Supplemental Guidance
Additional guidance on this topic is available for the following regions of the country:
- Alaskan (AK)
- Central (IA, KS, MO, NE)
- Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD, WI)
- New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
- Northwest Mountain (CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY)
- Southern (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI)
Popular Forms
| Subject/Title | Number | Other Formats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration | 7460-1 | E-filing (follow instructions on site) | Notifies the FAA of construction or alteration that might affect navigable airspace (49 CFR part 77) |
| Notice of Actual Construction or Alteration | 7460-2 | Notifies the FAA of construction or alteration that might affect navigable airspace (49 CFR part 77) | |
| Notice of Landing Area Proposal | 7480-1 | E-filing (follow instructions on site) | Notifies the FAA of any construction, alteration, activation, deactivation, or change to the status or use of a civil or joint-use (civil/military) airport (part 157) |
| Construction Progress and Inspection Report | 5370-1 | MS Word (43 KB) | The information collected on this form documents the progress of construction work on a project funded with a Federal grant under the AIP. OMB exp. 8/31/2019. |
Recent Federal Register Notices
| Subject/Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Proposal To Consider the Impact of One Engine Inoperative Procedures in Obstruction Evaluation Aeronautical Studies: Notice of Public Meeting, Extension of Comment Period (79 FR 33145) (PDF) | 6/10/2014 |
| Proposal to Consider the Impact of One Engine Inoperative Procedures in Part 77 Hazard Determinations (77 FR 23300) (PDF) | 4/28/2014 |