State Safety Inspections and

Sponsor Expectations

Topics for Today

• Division of Aeronautics and permits• Aviation Safety Officers• Preparation for Inspection• Inspection• Post Inspection• Inspection Follow Up• Aeronautics Expectations

Division of Aeronautics

• Division Chief: Gary Cathey (916) 654-5183• Mission: Foster and promote the development of a

safe, efficient, dependable and environmentally compatible air transportation system• Regulatory Basis: California Pubic Utilities Code

(PUC) 21001 et. seq. and CA Code of Regulations (CCRs)• Offices of Airports, Technical Services and Aviation

Planning• http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/planning/aeronaut/

Division of Aero - Permitting

• PUC 21661 & 21663 – Unlawful to operate an airport without a permit issued by the department unless exempt from permitting

• Airport permit valid unless suspended or revoked• Airport permit correction required for ownership change,

Lat/Long corrections, runway designation changes, runway shortening or traffic pattern elevations

• Amend airport permit for “Airport Expansion” i.e. runway extension or realignment, acquisition of RPZs, construction of new runway, etc

• A heliport on an airport is considered a “runway”. It does not require a State Permit but requires plan approval and an FAA Airspace Determination (FAA Form 7480-1)

Division of Aero – Aviation Safety Officers (6)• Process, inspect and permit new facilities, correct

and amend current airport/heliport permits, suspend and revoke permits (30-40/yr)• Conduct safety and permit compliance inspections

of Public Use Airports (244) and Hospital Heliports (160) on an annual basis• Inspect Private-Use airports & heliports as needed• Under FAA contract, conduct inspections & update

FAA Airport Master Record (Form 5010) for non-Part 139 public use airports

Division of Aero – Aviation Safety Officers

(Cont)• Inspect and authorize helicopter landings within

1,000’ of K-12 schools (~200/yr) as well as train and authorize Public Safety Agency pilots to perform authorizations per PUC• Evaluate proposed K-12 school, Community College

and State building sites within 2 nm of an airport (~24/yr) per Education Code and PUC• Review FAA Obstruction Evaluation & Airport Airspace

Analysis cases (>1,000/yr)• Review Comprehensive Land-Use Plans (CLUPs),

Airport Layout Plans and Master Plans

Safety Officer Area

of Responsibil

ity Map

Why are we here?

• Verify compliance with State issued permit• On behalf of FAA to conduct aviation inventory and

update the FAA 5010• Update based aircraft & operations• Answer FAAs Wildlife Management Survey

questionnaire

Preparation for Inspection

• Set date and time with airport sponsor allowing approximately 2 hrs for inspection• Sponsor reviews FAA Form 5010 for:• Contact information accuracy• Services available• Based aircraft count (or update www.basedaircraft.com)• Aircraft operations, if available• Runway data• Remarks

FAA Form 5010-1

Inspection - Paperwork

• FAA Form 5010 corrections/changes (except Part 139 airports)• Review Sketch for accuracy• Accuracy of State inventory contact info and data

(Airport System Mgr (ASM))• Answer GCR/FAA Wildlife Management Survey

questions• Review discrepancies from previous inspection letters• Discuss upcoming projects or issues• Funding status, i.e. Annual Credit Grant, etc

Inspection of Airport

• Verify previous compliance issues are corrected• Evaluate FAR Part 77 imaginary surfaces; Primary

Surface, Approach Surface & Transitional Surface• Inspect runway/taxiway lights, markings, signage,

safety areas, pavement condition• Make sure airport meets minimum FAA standards

and permit conditions• Document compliance discrepancies• Discuss discrepancies with airport sponsor

• Write inspection letter • Send letter to airport sponsor within 15 working

days and cc the FAA ADO• Update and correct sketch• Update 5010Web and ASM• Discuss planning, engineering & funding issues

internally

Post Inspection

Inspection Follow-up

• Response due from airport sponsor within 30 days:• Description of discrepancy corrected and photo, and/or• Description of plan to correct discrepancy and timeline

• Airport response is filed and a reminder is set for further follow up

Aeronautics Expectations

• Airports must meet FAR Part 77 and all current FAA design criteria. If they do not, they should plan to correct discrepancies by:• Identifying future projects with FAA concurrence• Including projects in updated ALP• Including projects in the CA Aviation System Plan

• Maintenance issues should be correctly quickly• Continued progress and improvement• Use the resources Aeronautics can provide:

• Engineering – for project support• Planning – System and Land Use• Grants & Loans

Questions?