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An airport clear zone is a designated area of land surrounding an airport that is subject to peak aircraft noise and has the highest potential for accidents. Clear zones are required at both ends of all runways and must be free of obstructions, such as buildings, trees, or any other objects that may penetrate the approach-departure clearance surface. The purpose of clear zones is to ensure the safety of aircraft operations and protect people on the ground. These zones are governed by regulations from organisations such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Department of Defense (DOD).
Airport Clear Zone Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area surrounding an airport | Designated area of land which is subject to peak aircraft noise |
| Potential danger | Highest potential of danger from airport operations |
| Obstructions | Clear of obstructions per Federal Aviation Administration Regulations |
| Accidents | Accidents are more likely to occur within clear zones than in other areas around the airport/airfield |
| Acquisition | Sponsors must own, acquire, or agree to acquire runway clear zones |
| Safety | Prepared and maintained as an aircraft safety area |
| Use | Protect people on the ground |
| Location | At ground level, at the end of each runway |
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What You'll Learn
- Airport clear zones are areas surrounding an airport that are to be kept clear of obstructions
- These zones are subject to peak aircraft noise and have the highest potential for accidents
- Clear zones are divided into two distinct areas: the graded area and the land-use control area
- Clear zones are required at both ends of all runways and must be owned or protected by a long-term lease
- Sponsors must own or acquire runway clear zones when developing or improving runways
Airport clear zones are areas surrounding an airport that are to be kept clear of obstructions
An airport clear zone is a designated area of land surrounding an airport that is subject to peak aircraft noise and has the highest potential for danger from airport operations. Clear zones are required at both ends of all runways and should be kept clear of obstructions. These zones are necessary for runway safety and are owned or protected under a long-term lease by the airport operator or owner.
The clear zone consists of two distinct areas: the graded area and the land-use control area. The graded area is prepared and maintained as an aircraft safety area, complying with specific criteria. It is to be free of above-ground objects, except for essential airfield lighting, and receives special ground treatment or pavement. The land-use control area, governed by specific directives, aims to protect people on the ground.
There are different types of clear zones, including Type I, Type II, and Type III. Type I clear zones are adjacent to the runway ends, while Type II clear zones are extensions of Type I but with reduced width. Type III clear zones are laterally adjacent to Type II clear zones for Class B runways and are used instead of Type II clear zones for Class A runways.
Maintaining clear zones is crucial to ensure the safety of aircraft operations and mitigate potential hazards. Any structures, objects, or natural growth that obstruct the airspace required for aircraft landing or takeoff are considered airport hazards. Airport operators are responsible for ensuring the clear zone is free from obstructions and preventing the creation of future obstructions.
When acquiring or developing land near an airport, it is essential to consider the clear zone requirements and obtain necessary approvals. This includes providing written notices to prospective buyers about potential hazards and the potential acquisition of their property for airport expansion.
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These zones are subject to peak aircraft noise and have the highest potential for accidents
An airport clear zone is a designated area of land surrounding an airport that is subject to peak aircraft noise and has the highest potential for accidents. These zones are required at both ends of all runways and should be kept clear of obstructions, as per Federal Aviation Administration Regulations. The clear zone consists of two distinct areas: the graded area and the land-use control area.
The graded area is prepared and maintained as an aircraft safety area, with specific criteria that must be met. It is to be cleared, graded, and free of above-ground objects (except for essential airfield lighting). This area also receives special ground treatment or pavement in the runway overrun zone. The land-use control area is intended to protect people on the ground and is governed by specific directives that control land use.
There are three types of clear zones, each with specific requirements. Type I clear zones are adjacent to the end of the runway and require special ground treatment or pavement in the designated runway overrun area. Type II clear zones are an extension of Type I but with a reduced width. They are graded and cleared of all above-ground objects, except airfield lighting. Type III clear zones are laterally adjacent to Type II clear zones and are used for Class A runways and basic training fields. In this zone, objects must not penetrate the approach-departure clearance surface, and natural growth must be maintained to ensure the visibility of airfield lighting.
Due to the high potential for accidents, clear zones are subject to strict regulations. Sponsors of runway development or improvement projects must own, acquire, or agree to acquire clear zones, except in cases of uneconomical acquisition costs or lack of necessity. These zones are also considered in environmental reviews for projects near airports, as certain types of development are incompatible with the vicinity of airports due to potential aircraft accident hazards.
In summary, airport clear zones are critical areas surrounding runways that are essential for safety. They are subject to peak aircraft noise and have the highest potential for accidents, making them highly regulated to prevent obstructions and ensure the safety of aircraft operations and individuals on the ground.
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Clear zones are divided into two distinct areas: the graded area and the land-use control area
An airport clear zone is a designated area of land surrounding an airport that is subject to peak aircraft noise and has the highest potential for accidents due to airport operations. Clear zones are necessary for runway safety and should be owned or protected under a long-term lease by the airport operator or owner.
On the other hand, the land-use control area is intended to protect people on the ground. This area is governed by directives and regulations that control land use within the zone. These directives include DODI 4165.57, USAF guidelines outlined in AFI 32-7063 and AFH 32-7084, and OPNAVINST 11010.36B for US Navy and Marine Corps installations.
The division of clear zones into graded areas and land-use control areas ensures compliance with safety standards and helps mitigate the potential hazards associated with airport operations. It is crucial for airport operators and authorities to adhere to these designated zones to minimize risks and ensure the well-being of both aircraft passengers and individuals on the ground.
Additionally, the presence of clear zones plays a significant role in airport hazard management. According to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, airport hazards include any structures, objects of natural growth, or land use that obstructs the airspace required for aircraft landing or takeoff. To address these hazards, standards are applied to prevent incompatible development around civil airports and military airfields. This includes providing written notices to prospective buyers of properties within the vicinity of airports, informing them of potential hazards and the possibility of future acquisition by airport operators for expansion projects.
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Clear zones are required at both ends of all runways and must be owned or protected by a long-term lease
An airport clear zone is a designated area of land that experiences high aircraft noise and has a high potential for accidents due to airport operations. Clear zones are required at both ends of all runways and must be owned or protected by a long-term lease. This is to ensure that the area remains free of obstructions, as per Federal Aviation Administration Regulations.
The clear zone consists of two distinct areas: the graded area and the land-use control area. The graded area is prepared and maintained as an aircraft safety area, complying with specific criteria. It is cleared, graded, and free of above-ground objects, except for essential airfield lighting. This zone receives special ground treatment or pavement in the runway overrun area. The land-use control area is intended to protect people on the ground and is governed by specific directives.
There are three types of clear zones, each with specific requirements and purposes. Type I clear zones are located immediately adjacent to the end of the runway and must be clear of all obstructions. Type II clear zones are extensions of Type I zones, with reduced width, and are used for Class B runways. Type III clear zones are laterally adjacent to Type II zones for Class B runways and are used in place of Type II zones for Class A runways and specific training fields.
The dimensions and layout of clear zones are specified, and they play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of aircraft operations and protecting people on the ground. The ownership or long-term leasing of these zones is essential to maintaining control over the area and preventing obstructions that could pose hazards to aircraft or individuals.
It is important to note that some developments near airports may be incompatible due to potential aircraft accident hazards. When properties near airports are acquired or sold, prospective buyers must be informed of the potential hazards and the possibility of future acquisition by airport operators. Clear zones are a critical aspect of ensuring the safe operation of aircraft and the protection of individuals on the ground.
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Sponsors must own or acquire runway clear zones when developing or improving runways
An airport clear zone is a designated area of land surrounding an airport that is subject to peak aircraft noise and has the highest potential for accidents due to airport operations. It is an area that must be clear of obstructions per Federal Aviation Administration Regulations.
Runway clear zones are areas on the ground located at the ends of each runway. They are required for runways and should be owned or protected under a long-term lease. These zones are essential for aircraft operations and have a high potential for accidents.
Sponsors are responsible for developing or improving runways and are required to own or acquire runway clear zones. This requirement ensures that the sponsor has control over the area to maintain a safe and unobstructed environment for aircraft operations.
According to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), when funds are allocated for developing new runways or improving existing ones, sponsors must own, acquire, or agree to acquire runway clear zones. This requirement applies to both new and existing airports. On new airports, sponsors must secure adequate property interests in runway clear zones during the initial land acquisition process.
At existing airports, sponsors must own or acquire clear zones for each runway that is being developed, improved, or extended. This includes instances where substantial improvements are made to the airport, such as overall grading or drainage, that do not directly benefit a specific runway. Sponsors must work with administrators to determine practical and feasible solutions considering standard configuration, length, and property interests.
Exceptions to this requirement may be considered if the sponsor presents a full statement of facts demonstrating uneconomical acquisition costs or a lack of necessity for the acquisition.
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Frequently asked questions
An airport clear zone is a designated area of land surrounding an airport that is subject to peak aircraft noise and where there is a high potential for accidents.
An airport clear zone is necessary to prevent hazards that obstruct the airspace required for aircraft landing or taking off.
The airport clear zone has the highest potential for danger from airport operations, with 27% of all aircraft crashes happening in this area.
There are three types of airport clear zones: Type I, Type II, and Type III. Type I is adjacent to the end of the runway and is required to be cleared of all above-ground objects except airfield lighting. Type II is an extension of Type I but with a reduced width, and Type III is laterally adjacent to Type II and is used for Class A runways and basic training fields.
The airport operator or owner is responsible for ensuring the airport clear zone is free of obstructions and preventing future obstructions. Sponsors of runway development or improvement projects must also acquire runway clear zones, except in cases of uneconomical costs or lack of necessity.
