Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 672-9-.01 - Definitions

The following words when used in Chapter 672-9 shall have the following meanings unless the context thereof indicates another meaning:

(a) Aircraft: Any machine, whether heavier or lighter than air, used or designated for flight in the air.

(b) Airplane: An engine-driven, fixed-wing Aircraft that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.

(c) Airport: Any area of land, water, or mechanical structure which is used for the landing and takeoff of Aircraft, and is open to the general public, as evidenced by the existence of a current and approved Federal Aviation Administration Form 7480-1 or any successor application, for such use without prior permission or restrictions and includes any appurtenant structures and areas which are used or intended to be used for airport buildings, other airport facilities, rights of way or easements; provided, however, that the term "Airport" shall not include the following facilities used as airports:

1. Facilities owned or operated by the United States or an agency thereof except for some joint use airports;

2. Privately owned facilities not open to the general public when such facilities do not interfere with the safe and efficient use of airspace of a facility for which a license or an Airport Operating Certificate issued under 14 C.F.R. Part 139 of the Regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, or any successor regulations, has been granted;

3. Facilities being operated pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 139 relating to certification requirements for airports serving scheduled air carrier operations, or any successor agency of the United States government.

(d) Airport Hazard: Any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land which obstructs the defined Runway Primary Surface, safety area, and Approach and Departure Paths surfaces applicable to that particular Airport.

(e) Airport License or License: License issued by the Department for the operation of an Airport, Heliport, Seaplane Base or any other designated open to the public Aircraft landing area in the state.

(f) Airport Operations Areas: Any area of an Airport used or intended to be used for landing, takeoff or surface maneuvering of Aircraft, including but not limited to runways, taxiway, and apron areas.

(g) Approach Path: An area of navigable airspace defined by the rules and regulations of the Department to insure safe ingress and egress of Aircraft to and from an Airport.

(h) Department: Georgia Department of Transportation or any successor State agency.

(i) Displaced Threshold: A threshold which is designated as the beginning of that portion of the runway that is available for landing Aircraft. A Displaced Threshold is located at a point on the runway other than the beginning of the full strength runway pavement. The paved area between the beginning of the full strength runway pavement and the Displaced Threshold may be used for takeoff or rollout of Aircraft.

(j) FAA: Federal Aviation Administration or any successor Federal Agency.

(k) Geometric Layout: Designated locations of Airport facilities and imaginary surfaces associated with minimum licensing standards.

(l) Helicopter: A rotary wing Aircraft that depends principally upon the lift generated by one or more engine-driven rotors rotating on a substantially vertical axis for its primary means of propulsion.

(m) Heliport: An area of land, water, or structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of Helicopters.

(n) Imaginary Surfaces, Airport: The imaginary surfaces associated with Aircraft operations and airspace surrounding an Airport that is used to identify Obstructions to Aircraft navigation and operations.

(o) Instrument Approach: An Aircraft approach for landing at an Airport using an electronic aid providing directional guidance.

(p) Large Airplane: An Airplane of more than 12,500 lbs. maximum certified takeoff weight.

(q) Non-precision Instrument Runway: A runway having an Instrument Approach procedure utilizing navigational aids with normally only horizontal guidance to Aircraft approaching for landing. Vertical guidance is possible on some Non-precision instrument runways.

(r) Obstruction: Any penetration of an Airport imaginary surface described in Federal Aviation Regulation Part 77 and FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13 or as amended and superseded.

(s) Open-to-the-Public Airport: An Airport that is publicly or privately owned which is open and available for use by the general flying public.

(t) Person: an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, company, association, joint-stock association, municipality, county, or state agency, authority, or political subdivision and includes any director, employee, agent, trustee, receiver, assignee, or other similar representative thereof.

(u) Precision Instrument Runway: A runway having an Instrument Approach procedure utilizing navigation aids that provide horizontal and vertical guidance to Aircraft approaching for landing.

(v) Relocated Threshold: A runway threshold that is located at a point on the runway other than the beginning of the full strength pavement and the portion of the runway between the beginning of the full strength pavement and the relocated threshold cannot be used for landing or takeoff of Aircraft.

(w) Restricted Use Airport: An Airport that is not open to the general public and requires prior permission from the Airport owner for use. Most Restricted Use Airports are military airfields and privately owned facilities.

(x) Runway Object Free Area: An imaginary area centered on the runway centerline that is clear of aboveground objects protruding above the runway centerline, except for allowable objects necessary for air navigation or Aircraft ground maneuvering purposes.

(y) Runway Primary Surface: A Runway Primary Surface is an imaginary surface that surrounds the runway and is centered along the runway centerline. The elevation of the primary surface is the same elevation as the nearest point on the runway centerline. The Runway Primary Surface extends to the runway end.

(z) Runway Safety Area: The ground surface surrounding the runway prepared or suitable for reducing the risk of damage to Airplanes in the event of an undershoot, overshoot or excursion from the runway.

(aa) Seaplane: An Airplane designed for, or appropriately modified to land on and takeoff from the surface of a body of water.

(bb) Seaplane Base: An area of water used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of Seaplanes.

(cc) Small Airplane: An Airplane of 12,500 lbs. or less maximum certified takeoff weight.

(dd) Traffic Pattern: The traffic flow that is prescribed for Aircraft landing or taking off from an Airport.

(ee) Visual Runway: A runway having no Instrument Approach procedure and intended solely for the operation of Aircraft using visual approach procedures.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 672-9-.01

O.C.G.A. §§ 32-2-2(b), 32-9-8, 50-13-4.

Original Rule entitled "Definitions" was filed on July 3, 1979; effective July 23, 1979. Amended: Filed June 24, 1987; effective July 14, 1987. Amended: F. Jul. 12, 2013; eff. Aug. 1, 2013. Amended: F. Dec. 14, 2021; eff. Jan. 3, 2022.