This advisory circular (AC) establishes a common, uniform definition of critical aircraft for all deliberations of the FAA Office of Airports, inclusive of planning and environmental, design and engineering, and financial decision-making regarding airport development.

This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for the preparation of master plans for airports that range in size and function, from small general aviation to large commercial service facilities. The intent of this AC is to foster a flexible approach to master planning that directs attention and resources to critical issues. The scope of each master plan must be tailored to the individual airport under evaluation.

This manual provides standardized airfield, heliport, and airspace criteria for the geometric layout, design, and construction of runways, helipads, taxiways, aprons, landing zones (LZs), short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) facilities, unmanned aircraft system (UAS) facilities, and related permanent facilities to meet sustained operations for U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps airfields.