Alabama Administrative Code › Title 450 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › Chapter 450-9-3 - AIRPORTS › Section 450-9-3-.15 - Airport Closure Procedures

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Any airport licensed by the Department
					may be closed in one of the following ways:
(a) Mandatory Closure - In consultation with
					the Airport Inspector conducting the most recent annual airport inspection, the
					Director is authorized to issue a written "Mandatory Closure Notice" to any
					airport owner that fails to maintain the licensed landing area within the
					minimum safety requirements prescribed by this chapter. All landing areas for
					which an operating license has been issued must be maintained in a condition
					that meets or exceeds the minimum safety requirements set forth in this
					chapter. A "Mandatory Closure Notice" will be issued if it is reasonably
					determined by the Director that violation(s) of the minimum safety requirements
					defined by this chapter may pose a substantial and continuing threat to the
					safety of aircraft operating to, from or on the subject airport. The written
					notice will contain a specific description of the safety violations giving
					cause for the closure and the actions that must be taken by the airport owner
					to correct each specified violation. Unless otherwise appealed by the airport
					owner, the mandatory closure of an airport will become effective thirty (30)
					days after the date of issuance of the "Mandatory Closure Notice".
(b) Emergency Closure - In consultation with
					the Director, an Airport Inspector is authorized to issue an "Emergency Closure
					Notice" when he or she reasonably determines, by an on-site visit, a condition
					exists that constitutes a substantial and immediate threat to the safety of
					aircraft operating to, from or on a licensed airport. An emergency closure will
					take effect immediately. Upon a determination that an emergency closure is
					warranted, the Airport Inspector will, without delay, notify the airport owner
					of the observed safety violation(s) and will immediately contact the FAA for
					the issuance of a closure NOTAM. It will be the airport owner's responsibility
					to notify all airport tenants of the closure. Within twenty-four (24) hours of
					the emergency closure, the Airport Inspector will provide the airport owner
					with written verification of the closure action. The written verification will
					contain a specific description of the safety violations giving cause for the
					emergency closure and the actions that must be taken by the airport owner to
					correct each specified violation. The emergency closure will be rescinded only
					when the corrective actions have been taken by the airport owner and verified
					by the Department.
(c) Voluntary
					Closure - A voluntary closure is an action initiated by the airport owner. The
					owner of a licensed airport may initiate procedures to permanently close a
					landing area by notifying the Department in writing of an intent to abandon the
					site as a landing area. The airport owner's written notification of voluntary
					closure must set forth the reasons for closure and the proposed date of
					closure. The written notification must also describe how the airport property
					will be used in the future. It is the airport owner's responsibility to notify
					all airport tenants and known airport users of the intent to close the landing
					area and to show proof to the Department that such notification has occurred.
					If the Director concurs with the request for voluntary closure, the Department
					will notify the airport owner in writing that the airport may be temporarily
					closed pending final approval for permanent closure by the Commission.
(d) Maintenance/Construction
					Closure - An airport may be temporarily closed by the airport owner for the
					purpose of performing maintenance or construction work that may interfere with
					the safety of aircraft operating to, from or on the airport. It is the
					responsibility of the airport owner to contact the FAA for the purpose of
					issuing a NOTAM about the airport closure. The airport owner shall also notify
					the Department in writing about the work to be performed and anticipated
					beginning and ending dates of the closure.