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?