5.5 NextGen Opportunities

For small airports, the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) has provided improved instrument approach access to airports with minimal cost. The new, improved access may come with increased approach protection requirements if a new, vertically guided approach was established.

ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports, Volume 1: Understanding the Airport’s Role in Performance-Based Navigation: Resource Guide
Provides comprehensive information to practitioners concerning all aspects of performance-based navigation (PBN) and how implementation affects overall airport operations. This resource guide provides background information, describes effects on short- and long-term airport development and impacts on safety and performance measures, and presents other critical factors affecting future airport operations. In addition to providing guidance to users on available resources for additional assistance, this volume also includes lessons learned and best practices based on findings from case studies that examined the airport operator’s role in PBN implementation.

ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports, Volume 2: Engaging Airport Stakeholders: Guidebook
Helps airports engage the FAA, aircraft operators, community representatives, and other airport stakeholders during the planning, environmental review, design, deployment, and monitoring phases of NextGen implementation.

ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports, Volume 3: Resources for Airports
Broadly addresses potential airport impacts and includes background information so that airport personnel can discern which NextGen programs will affect them and how. Includes a list of NextGen technologies and initiatives as well as a likely timeline for implementation. Appendices include a glossary of terms and a Public Information Toolkit for communicating about the NextGen initiative to the broad spectrum of external stakeholders.

ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports, Volume 4: Leveraging NextGen Spatial Data to Benefit Airports: Guidebook
Provides information for airport operators on the benefits to airports associated with the creation, maintenance, and use of spatial data that is generated in conjunction with NextGen initiatives. Also describes costs, and financial and legal considerations of this data.

ACRP Report 150: NextGen for Airports, Volume 5: Airport Planning and Development
Provides guidance to help airports of all sizes plan for and incorporate NextGen capabilities. The volume will help airports accommodate NextGen requirements while also taking advantage of the potential benefits of these federal programs designed to modernize the National Airspace System.

ACRP WebResource 5: Tools and Case Studies for NextGen for Airports
Contains outreach and public information tools from ACRP’s NextGen initiative.

Airport IQ 5010 Airport Master Records and Reports
Website containing airport data structured to follow the FAA’s 5010-1 and 5010-2 form. Entering an airport’s identifier or airport name, state, and associated city retrieves the data for that airport. This website is maintained by a contractor for the FAA.

FAA Advisory Circular 150/5300-13: Airport Design
Establishes FAA standards and recommendations for the geometric layout and engineering design of runways, taxiways, aprons, and other facilities at civil airports. Identifies airport reference code, approach reference code, departure reference code, and taxiway design group that are used in identifying the appropriate design standards for an airport.

FAA Community Involvement Manual
Provides FAA staff, airport sponsors, and consultants with an understanding of the value of community involvement and describes practices and effective techniques for community participation.

FAA Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway
Provides a single source for charts, instrument flight procedures (IFP) production plan, IFP coordination, and IFP documents.

FAA Order JO 7400.2: Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
Specifies procedures for use by all personnel in the joint administration of the airspace program. The guidance and procedures herein incorporate into one publication as many orders, notices, and directives of the affected services as possible.

FAA Airport Sustainability
The FAA web page on airport sustainability. It includes a listing of airports, including small airports that have prepared sustainability plans or sustainable master plans.

FAA NextGen Metroplexes
A key NextGen goal is to safely improve the overall efficiency of the National Airspace System by increasing efficiencies in metroplexes—metropolitan areas with multiple airports and complex air traffic flows. Each metroplex includes one or more commercial airports with shared airspace that serves at least one major city. Through the Metroplex Program, the FAA is collaborating with aviation stakeholders to improve regional traffic movement by optimizing airspace and procedures based on precise satellite-based navigation.

FAR Part 77: Safe, Efficient Use and Preservation of the Navigable Airspace
Establishes the requirements to provide notice to the FAA of certain proposed construction, or the alteration of existing structures; the standards used to determine obstructions to air navigation and navigational and communication facilities; the process for aeronautical studies of obstructions to air navigation or navigational facilities to determine the effect on the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace, air navigation facilities, or equipment; and the process to petition the FAA for discretionary review of determinations, revisions, and extensions of determinations.