§ 471.5. Airport rating—excluding heliports.
(a) The following are rating categories to be used by the Bureau for the issuance of an airport license:
(1) Public airport.
(i) Scheduled service/general aviation. An airport accommodating regularly scheduled air carrier or commuter service or general aviation operations, or both.
(ii) Basic utility. An airport with a visual runway, turf or paved, serving aircraft less than 12,500 pounds max gross weight, without beacon or runway edge lights, authorized for visual flight rules (VFR) use only and not intended for night time operations.
(iii) Sport and ultralight. A landing area for the use of sport or ultralight aircraft, or both, as those terms are defined by applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).
(iv) Seaplane base. An area of water used as a landing area.
(2) Private airport.
(i) Individual. A private airport used exclusively by the licensee.
(ii) Group. A private airport used exclusively by a partnership, organization or corporation which is restricted to members of that entity.
(iii) Sport and ultralight. A landing area for the use of sport or ultralight aircraft, or both as those terms are defined by applicable FARs.
(iv) Seaplane. An area of water used as a landing area.
(b) Use of landing areas by another aircraft.
(1) Aircraft operators are authorized to land at public airports within the capabilities of the pilot-in-command and the aircraft. Pertinent information regarding public airports is located in the FAA Airport Facilities Directory and also updated and disseminated by a NOTAM.
(2) For private airports, aircraft operators shall receive authorization from the airport owner prior to operating to or from the airport. A private airport owner/licensee may invite an aircraft operator to use his landing area if the owner has thoroughly briefed the invitee on the takeoff and landing data and any peculiarities of the landing area. The invitee’s aircraft expected performance values and operational requirements may not exceed the capabilities or dimensions of the landing area.
Source The provisions of this § 471.5 adopted October 1, 1968, effective October 1, 1968; amended October 3, 1986, effective October 4, 1986, 16 Pa.B. 3693; readopted July 20, 1990, effective July 21, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 3981; amended October 29, 2010, effective October 30, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 6273. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (289752) to (289753).
Notes of Decisions Personal Use Airfield
An airfield located on personal property and used only by the landowner for private, personal use, is not excluded from the definition of ‘‘airport.’’ Commonwealth v. Beam, 788 A.2d 357 (Pa. 2002).
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 471.3 (relating to airport licensing).
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