Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 175 - Transportation Department
Chapter 8800 - AERONAUTICS
AIRPORTS
Part 8800.1600 - PUBLIC AIRPORT LICENSING

Subpart 1. Application.

The requirements of this part do not apply to licensing public special-purpose airports, public seaplane bases, or public heliports. Specific requirements for the licensing of a public special-purpose airport are found in part 8800.1650. Specific requirements for licensing a public seaplane base are found in part 8800.1700. Specific requirements for licensing a public heliport are found in part 8800.1800.

Subp. 2. Minimum requirements.

A public airport must be granted a license when it has shown that it has met the general provisions of parts 8800.1400 and 8800.1500 and the minimum requirements of this part.

Subp. 3. Size.

A public airport must have at least one runway with a minimum usable length of 2,000 feet. The minimum width of a turf runway must be 75 feet. The minimum width of a hard-surfaced runway must be 60 feet. Other than utility runways must be at least 75 feet wide.

Subp. 4. Surface.

The landing surface shall be smooth and free from hazards or obstructions. The longitudinal gradient on any part of the landing area shall not exceed two percent. The transverse gradient shall not exceed three percent.

In addition, runway grade changes shall be such that any two points five feet above the runway centerline will be mutually visible for the entire runway length.

Subp. 5. Obstructions.

The minimum obstruction clearance requires that a structure, tree, or mobile object that creates a hazard, other than those necessary and incidental to airport operation, must not penetrate the imaginary airspace surfaces described in part 8800.1200, subpart 5, items A, D, and E. The standards of this part also apply to traverse ways only after their heights have been increased as described in part 8800.1200, subpart 2.

Subp. 6. Edge markers.

Turf runways shall be outlined with effective edge markers and end markers which shall be constructed of a durable material and installed in such a manner so as to be clearly visible from traffic pattern altitude.

Subp. 7. Buildings.

Buildings and structures on a public airport shall not be closer than 250 feet to the centerline of the runway. For height limitations see part 8800.1200, subpart 5.

Subp. 8. Wind sock.

All public airports must be equipped with a wind sock, 3 feet by 12 feet, blaze orange in color, which must be operable and clearly visible from the pattern altitude when within one mile of the airport during daylight hours. If the airport is lighted for night operations, the wind sock must also be lighted.

Subp. 9. Fencing.

Such adequate fencing or barriers shall be constructed as will prevent all persons not engaged in flight activities from having access to a position of danger with relation to aircraft in the vicinity of building areas and on the flight line.

Subp. 10. Lighting.

If the airport is lighted for night operations and is advertised as lighted for night operations, the lights shall be kept on from dusk to dawn. Any object in the approach zone of a lighted visual utility runway that extends above a slope of 30:1 shall be marked and lighted in accordance with the standards for obstruction marking and lighting where requested by the commissioner in the interest of safety.

Subp. 11. Tiedowns.

Facilities must be furnished for at least three more aircraft than regularly use the facilities. The tiedowns are to be marked and maintained so as to be readily located.

Subp. 12. Toilets.

A sanitary public toilet facility shall be provided at all public airports, except where it can be demonstrated that it is impracticable to install such a facility. An enclosed portable chemical toilet, properly maintained and serviced, shall be acceptable.

Subp. 13. Fuel.

All fuel dispensed on the airport for aircraft use must be filtered to be free of solid matter in excess of five microns particle size and to have a free water content less than 30 parts per million parts of fuel.

Subp. 14. Fire extinguishers.

At least one properly maintained fire extinguisher shall be available in the vicinity of the fuel pump or on the flight line if fuel is dispensed. It must be a minimum of 20 B. rating or equivalent.

Subp. 15. Telephone.

When feasible, a telephone shall be made available for public use. Telephone numbers for the appropriate flight service station, for emergency assistance, and for aircraft servicing shall be prominently posted.

Subp. 16. Bulletin board.

A weather-protected bulletin board shall be prominently located on the airport. Posted thereon shall be the airport license, safety and traffic rules, and an area map showing danger or restricted areas.