FAA Airport Compliance Manual - Order 5190.6B
Airports
September 2009
Order 5190.6B sets forth policies and procedures for the FAA Airport Compliance Program. It provides basic guidance for FAA personnel in interpreting and administering the various continuing commitments airport owners make to the United States as a condition for the grant of federal funds or the conveyance of federal property for airport purposes. The Order discusses the obligations set forth in the standard airport sponsor assurances, addresses the application of the assurances in the operation of public-use airports, and facilitates interpretation of the assurances by FAA personnel.
The complete Order is 22 MB and may be difficult to download. You can access the complete Order 5190.6B (PDF, 22 MB) or, using the index below, individual Chapters and Appendices.
Coversheet and Table of Contents
Coversheet and Table of Contents (PDF)
Part I: Background
Chapter 1 - Scope and Authority (PDF)
- 1.1. Purpose
- 1.2. Audience
- 1.3. Where Can I Find this Order?
- 1.4. Cancellation of Order 5190.6A
- 1.5. Introduction
- 1.6. Scope
- 1.7. Background
- 1.8. Compliance Program Background
- 1.9. Sources of Airport Sponsor Federal Obligations
- 1.10. FAA Authority to Administer the Compliance Program
- 1.11. through 1.14. reserved
Chapter 2 - Compliance Program (PDF)
- 2.1. Introduction
- 2.2. Background
- 2.3. Determining if an Airport is Federally Obligated
- 2.4. Objectives of the Compliance Program
- 2.5. Program Elements
- 2.6. Priorities and Emphasis
- 2.7. Responsibilities
- 2.8. Analyzing Compliance Status
- 2.9 Compliance Determinations
- 2.10. Airport Noncompliance List (ANL)
- 2.11. through 2.15. reserved
- Exhibit: Federal Obligation Codes
- Exhibit: Sample FAA Form 5010 Airport Master Record
- Exhibit: Sample Airport Grant Certification Compliance Checklist
- Exhibit: A Guide to Sponsor Obligations
- Exhibit: Sample Lease Log
Part II: Types of Federal Agreements
Chapter 3 - Federal Obligations From Property Conveyances (PDF)
- 3.1. Introduction
- 3.2. Background
- 3.3. The War Assets Administration (WAA)
- 3.4. Nonairport Property
- 3.5. The Use of Property for Revenue Production
- 3.6. Highest and Best Use and Suitability for Airport Use
- 3.7. Types of Conveyance Instruments for Surplus Property
- 3.8. Sponsor Federal Obligations for Surplus Property
- 3.9. Duration of Surplus Property Federal Obligations
- 3.10. Airport Sponsor Compliance
- 3.11. Nonsurplus Federal Land Conveyances
- 3.12. Nonsurplus Land Conveyance Federal Obligations
- 3.13. Bureau of Land Management
- 3.14. Federal Obligations Imposed by Other Government Agencies
- 3.15. Duration of Nonsurplus Federal Obligations
- 3.16. Reversion Provisions
- 3.17. Airport Sponsor Compliance
- 3.18. The AP-4 Land Agreements
- 3.19. Base Conversion and Surplus Property
- 3.20. Joint Civilian/Military Use (Joint Use) Airports
- 3.21. Environmental Issues Related to Land Conveyances
- 3.22. through 3.25. reserved
- Exhibit: Sample Surplus Property Conveyance
Chapter 4 - Federal Grant Obligations and Responsibilities (PDF)
- 4.1. Introduction
- 4.2. Sponsor Federal Obligations Under Various Grant Agreements
- 4.3. The Duration of Federal Grant Obligations
- 4.4. The Useful Life of Grant Funded Projects
- 4.5. Airport Sponsor Compliance
- 4.6. Federal Obligations under the Basic Grant Assurance Requirements
- 4.7. through 4.10. reserved
- Table 4.1: Grant Assurance Applicability
- Table 4.2: Standard Grant Assurance Applied to Airport Programs and Projects
- Table 4.3: Grant Assurance Duration
- Table 4.4: Typical Grant History for a Specific Airport McClelland-Palomar Airport, San Diego, California (CRQ) 1983-2005
- Exhibit: Federal Aid to Airports Program (FAAP)
- Exhibit: Airport Development Aid Program (ADAP) and Planning Grant Program (PGP)
Part III: Complaint Resolution
Chapter 5 - Complaint Resolution (PDF)
- 5.1. Introduction
- 5.2. Background
- 5.3. Complaints Handled by Other FAA Offices or Other Federal Agencies
- 5.4. Informal Complaints under ยง 13.1
- 5.5. Process for Resolving Informal Complaints
- 5.6. Receiving the Complaint
- 5.7. Coordinating Resolution of the Part 13.1 Informal Complaint
- 5.8. Evaluate the Complaint
- 5.9. Attempt to Resolve the Allegation
- 5.10. Dispute Resolution for Part 13.1 Complaints
- 5.11. Determinations on Part 13.1 Complaints and Notification to the Parties
- 5.12. Dismissing a Part 13.1 Complaint
- 5.13. Notice of Apparent Noncompliance
- 5.14. Follow up and Enforcement Actions
- 5.15. Documentation of FAA Regional Airports Division Determination
- 5.16. Formal Complaint: 14 CFR Part 16
- 5.17. through 5.20. reserved
- Exhibit: Sample Part 13.1 Informal Resolution Preliminary Finding
Part IV: Airports and Aeronautical Users
Chapter 6 - Rights and Powers and Good Title (PDF)
- 6.1. Introduction
- 6.2. Airport Governance Structures
- 6.3. Controlling Grant Assurances
- 6.4. Interrelationship of Issues
- 6.5. Assignment of Federal Obligations
- 6.6. Rights and Powers
- 6.7. Transfer to Another Eligible Recipient
- 6.8. Transfer to the United States Government
- 6.9. Delegation of Federal Obligations
- 6.10. Subordination of Title
- 6.11. New Sponsor Document Review
- 6.12. Title and Property Interest
- 6.13. Airport Management Agreements
- 6.14. Airport Privatization Pilot Program
- 6.15. Privatization Outside of the Airport Privatization Pilot Program
- 6.16 through 6.20 reserved
Chapter 7 - Airport Operations (PDF)
- 7.1. Introduction
- 7.2. Scope of Airport Maintenance Federal Obligations
- 7.3. Grant Assurance 19, Operation and Maintenance
- 7.4. Maintenance Procedures
- 7.5. Criteria for Satisfactory Compliance with Grant Assurance 19, Operation and Maintenance
- 7.6. Airport Pavement Maintenance Requirement
- 7.7. Major Pavement Repairs
- 7.8. Requirement to Operate the Airport
- 7.9. Local Rules and Procedures
- 7.10. Operations in Inclement Weather
- 7.11. Availability of Federally Acquired Airport Equipment
- 7.12. Part-time Operation of Airport Lighting
- 7.13. Hazards and Mitigation
- 7.14. Use of Airports by Federal Government Aircraft
- 7.15. Negotiation Regarding Charges
- 7.16. Land for Federal Facilities
- 7.17. Federal Government Use during a National Emergency or War
- 7.18. Airport Layout Plan (ALP)
- 7.19. Exhibit "A" and Airport Property Map
- 7.20. Access by Intercity Buses
- 7.21. Temporary Closing of an Airport
- 7.22. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Requirements
- 7.23. through 7.26. reserved
Chapter 8 - Exclusive Rights (PDF)
- 8.1. Introduction
- 8.2 Definition of an Exclusive Right
- 8.3. Legislative and Statutory History
- 8.4. Development of the Exclusive Rights Prohibition into FAA Policy
- 8.5. Aeronautical Operations of the Sponsor
- 8.6. Airports Having a Single Aeronautical Service Provider
- 8.7. Denying Requests by Qualified Providers
- 8.8. Exclusive Rights Violations
- 8.9 Exceptions to the General Rule
- 8.10. UNICOM
- 8.11. Implementation of Policy
- 8.12. Military and Special Purpose Airports
- 8.13. through 8.18. reserved
Chapter 9 - Unjust Discrimination between Aeronautical Users (PDF)
- 9.1. Introduction
- 9.2. Rental Fees and Charges: General
- 9.3. Types of Charges for Use of Airport Facilities
- 9.4. Airport Tenant and Concessionaire Charges to Airport Users
- 9.5. Terms and Conditions Applied to Tenants Offering Aeronautical Services
- 9.6. Fixed-Base Operations and Other Aeronautical Services
- 9.7. Availability of Leased Space
- 9.8. Air Carrier Airport Access
- 9.9. Civil Rights
- 9.10. FAA Policy on Granting Preferential Treatment Based on Residency
- 9.11. through 9.14. reserved
Chapter 10 - Reasonable Commercial Minimum Standards (PDF)
- 10.1. Introduction
- 10.2. FAA Recognition of Minimum Standards
- 10.3. Use of Minimum Standards to Protect an Exclusive Right
- 10.4. Benefits of Minimum Standards
- 10.5. Developing and Applying Minimum Standards
- 10.6. Flying Clubs
- 10.7. through 10.10. reserved
- Exhibit: Sample Flying Club Rules and Regulations
Chapter 11 - Self-Service (PDF)
- 11.1. General
- 11.2. Restrictions on Self-servicing Aircraft
- 11.3. Permitted Activities
- 11.4. Contracting to a Third Party
- 11.5. Restricted Service Activities
- 11.6. Reasonable Rules and Regulations
- 11.7 Restrictions Based on Safety and Location
- 11.8. Activities Not Classified as Self-service
- 11.9. Sponsor Self-service Prerogatives
- 11.10. Fractional Aircraft Ownership Programs
- 11.11. through 11.14. reserved
Chapter 12 - Review of Aeronautical Lease Agreements (PDF)
- 12.1. Introduction
- 12.2. Background
- 12.3. Review of Agreements
- 12.4. FAA Opinion on Review
- 12.5. Agreements Covering Aeronautical Services to the Public
- 12.6. Agreements Involving the Entire Airport
- 12.7. Agreements Granting "Through-the-Fence" Access
- 12.8. through 12.12. reserved
- Exhibit: FAA Response to Request for Residential "Through-the-Fence"
- Exhibit: Sample Response to Request Release for "Through-the-Fence" Purposes
Chapter 13 - Airport Noise and Access Restrictions (PDF)
- 13.1. Introduction and Responsibilities
- 13.2. Background
- 13.3. Overview of the Noise-Related Responsibilities of the Federal Government
- 13.4 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 36, Noise Standards for Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification
- 13.5 The Aircraft Noise Compatibility Planning Program
- 13.6. Compliance Review
- 13.7. Mandatory Headquarters Review
- 13.8. Balanced Approach to Noise Mitigation
- 13.9. Cumulative Noise Metric
- 13.10. General Noise Assessment
- 13.11. Residential Development
- 13.12. Impact on Other Airports and Communities
- 13.13. The Concept of Unjust Discrimination
- 13.14. Part 161 Restrictions Impacting Stage 2 or Stage 3 Aircraft
- 13.15. Undue Burden on Interstate Commerce
- 13.16. Use of Complaint Data
- 13.17. Use of Advisory Circular (AC) 36-3
- 13.18. Integrated Noise Modeling
- 13.19. Future Noise Policy
- 13.20. through 13.25 reserved
- Table 13-1: Caomparison of Aircraft Using Advisory Circular (AC) 36-3
- Exhibit: Land Use Compatibility with Yearly Day-Night Average Sound Levels Table
- Exhibit: Noise Abatement Procedures
Chapter 14 - Restrictions Based on Safety and Efficiency Procedures and Organization (PDF)
- 14.1. Introduction
- 14.2. Applicable Law
- 14.3. Restricting Aeronautical Activities
- 14.4. Minimum Standards and Airport Regulations
- 14.5. Agency Determinations on Safety and Efficiency
- 14.6. Methodology
- 14.7. Reasonable Accommodation
- 14.8. Restrictions on Touch-and-Go Operations
- 14.9. Sport-Pilot Regulations
- 14-10. Coordination
- 14.11. through 14.15. Reserved
- Exhibit: Sample Request for Safety Determination
- Exhibit: Sample Flight Standards Response
- Exhibit: Sample Visual Depiction of Flight Standards-Approved Flight Pattern to Accommodate Ultralight Operations
- Exhibit: Sample Air Traffic Assessment and Response
- Exhibit: Sample FAA Objection to a Proposed Overreaching Accommodation of an Aeronautical Activity
Part V: Financial Responsibilities
Chapter 15 - Permitted and Prohibited Uses of Airport Revenue (PDF)
- 15.1. Intoduction
- 15.2. Legislative History
- 15.3. Privatization
- 15.4. Grant Assurance
- 15.5. FAA Policy
- 15.6. Airport Revenue Defined
- 15.7. Applicability of Airport Revenue Requirements
- 15.8. Federal Financial Assistance
- 15.9. Permitted Uses of Airport Revenue
- 15.10. Grandfathering from Prohibitions on Use of Airport Revenue
- 15.11. Allocation of Indirect Costs
- 15.12. Standard for Documentation
- 15.13. Prohibited Uses of Airport Revenue
- 15.14. through 15.19. reserved
- Exhibit: Grandfathered Airport List
Chapter 16 - Resolution of Unlawful Revenue Diversion (PDF)
- 16.1. Background
- 16.2. FAA Authorization
- 16.3. Section 47133 and Grant Assurance 25, Airport Revenues
- 16.4. Agency Policy
- 16.5. Responsibility
- 16.6. Detection of Airport Revenue Diversion
- 16.7. Investigation of a Complaint of Unlawful Revenue Diversion
- 16.8. Investigation without a Formal Complaint
- 16.9. Administrative Sanctions
- 16.10. Civil Penalties and Interest
- 16.11. Compliance with Reporting and Audit Requirements
- 16.12. Statute of Limitations on Enforcement
- 16.13. through 16.17. reserved
Chapter 17 - Self-sustainability (PDF)
- 17.1 Introduction
- 17.2 Legislative History
- 17.3. Applicability
- 17.4. Related FAA Policies
- 17.5. Self-sustaining Principle
- 17.6. Airport Circumstances
- 17.7. Long-term Approach
- 17.8. New Agreements
- 17.9. Revenue Surpluses
- 17.10. Rates Charged for Aeronautical Use
- 17.11. Nonaeronautical Rates
- 17.12. Fair Market Value
- 17.13. Exceptions to the Self-sustaining Rule: General
- 17.14. Property for Community Purposes
- 17.15. Exception for Community Use
- 17.16. Exception for Not-for-Profit Aviation Organizations
- 17.17. Exception for Transit Projects
- 17.18. Exception for Private Transit Systems
- 17.19. Exception for Military Aeronautical Units
- 17.20. through 17.24. reserved
Chapter 18 - Airport Rates and Charges (PDF)
- 18.1. Responsibilities
- 18.2. Policy Regarding Airport Rates and Charges
- 18.3. Aeronautical Use and Users
- 18.4. Definitions
- 18.5. Principles
- 18.6. Local Negotiation and Resolution
- 18.7. Formal Complaints
- 18.8. Fair and Reasonable
- 18.9. Permitted Airfield Costs
- 18.10. Environmental Costs
- 18.11. Noise
- 18.12. Insurance
- 18.13. Causation
- 18.14. Facilities under Construction
- 18.15. Costs of Another Airport
- 18.16. Airport System
- 18.17. Closed Airport
- 18.18. Maintenance of Closed Airport
- 18.19. Project Costs
- 18.20. Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Projects
- 18.21. Prohibition on Unjust Discrimination
- 18.22. Self-sustaining Rate Structure
- 18.23. through 18.28. reserved
Chapter 19 - Airport Financial Reports (PDF)
- 19.1. Introduction
- 19.2. Legislative History
- 19.3. Grant Assurance 26, Reports and Inspections
- 19.4. Applicability
- 19.5. Annual Financial Reports
- 19.6. Procedures for Evaluating the Airport Owners/Sponsors Financial Reporting Program
- 19.7. Single Audit Reports
- 19.8. through 19.11 reserved
- Exhibit: Airport Financial Reporting Program Brochure
Part VI: Land Use
Chapter 20 - Compatible Land Use and Airspace Protection (PDF)
- 20.1. Background
- 20.2. Zoning and Land Use Planning
- 20.3. Residential Use of Land on or Near Airport Property
- 20.4. Residential Airparks Adjacent to Federally Obligated Airports
- 20.5. Residential Development on Federally Obligated Airports
- 20.6. through 20.10. reserved
- Exhibit: Sample Easement and Right-of-Way Grant
- Exhibit: Fair Disclosure Statement
- Exhibit: Suggested Disclosure to Real Estate Buyers
- Exhibit: Sample FAA Position Letter on Residential Airparks
Chapter 21 - Land Use Compliance Inspection (PDF)
- 21.1. Introduction
- 21.2. Background
- 21.3. Elements of the Land Use Inspection
- 21.4. Responsibilities
- 21.5. Authority
- 21.6. Land Use Inspection Guidance
- 21.7. Sample Correspondence
- 21.8. through 21.12. reserved
- Exhibit: Follow-Up and Corrective Action Sample
- Exhibit: Sample Post-Inspection Land Use Report
- Exhibit: Sample Notification of Violation
Part VII: Releases and Property Reversions
Chapter 22 - Releases from Federal Obligations (PDF)
- 22.1. Introduction
- 22.2. Definition
- 22.3. Duration and Authority
- 22.4 FAA Consideration of Releases
- 22.5 Request for Concurrent use of Aeronautical Property for Other Uses
- 22.6. Release for Interim Use of Aeronautical Property for Other Uses
- 22.7. Release of Federal Maintenance Obligation
- 22.8. Industrial Use Changes
- 22.9. Release of National Emergency Use Provision (NEUP)
- 22.10. Release from Federal Obligation to Furnish Space or Land without Charge
- 22.11. Release of Reverter Clause
- 22.12. Exclusive Rights Federal Obligations cannot be Released without Release and Disposal of the Parcel or Closure of Airport
- 22.13. Federal Obligations Imposed with the Airport Layout Plan and Exhibit "A"
- 22.14. Procedures for Operational Releases or Requests for Change in Use
- 22.15. Release of Federal Obligations in Regard to Personal Property, Structures, and Facilities
- 22.16. All Disposals of Real Airport Property
- 22.17. Release of Federal Obligations in Regard to Real Property Acquired as Federal Surplus Property
- 22.18. Release of Federal Obligations in Regard to Real Property Acquired with Federal Grant Assistance
- 22.19. Effect of Not Receiving or Receiving a Grant after December 30, 1987
- 22.20. Release of Entire Airport
- 2.21. Procedures for the Application, Consideration, and Resolution of Release Requests
- 22.22. General Documentation Procedures
- 22.23. Airport Sponsor Request for Release
- 22.24. Content of Written Requests for Release
- 22.25. Content of Request for Written Release for Disposal
- 22.26. Exhibits to the Written Request for Release
- 22.27. FAA Evaluation of Sponsor Requests
- 22.28. FAA Determination on Sponsor Requests
- 22.29. FAA Completion of Action on Sponsor Requests
- 22.30. FAA Denial of Release or Modification
- 22.31. Procedures for Public Notice for a Change in Use of Aeronautical Property
- 22.32. FAA Consent by Letter of Intent to Release -- Basis for Use
- 22.33. The Environmental Implications of Releases
- 22.34. through 22.37. reserved
- Exhibit: Sample NEUP Legal Description
- Exhibit: Sample NEUP Release Request
- Exhibit: Sample DoD Response to FAA NEUP Release Request
- Exhibit: Notification Memo for Federal Register Notice Governing the Notification and Release of Aeronautical Property
- Exhibit: Sample Federal Register Notice Governing the Notification and Release of Aeronautical Property
- Exhibit: Sample Letter of Intent to Release Airport Property
- Exhibit: Table 22.1: Guide to Releases
- Exhibit: Sample Actual Deed of Release
Chapter 23 - Reversions of Airport Property (PDF)
- 23.1. Introduction
- 23.2. General
- 23.3. Right of Reverter
- 23.4. Authority to Exercise Reverter
- 23.5. Instruments of Conveyance
- 23.6. Reconveyances
- 23.7. Involuntary Reversion
- 23.8. Reversioner Federal Agency
- 23.9. Determination of Default
- 23.10. Notice of Intent to Exercise the Right of Reverter
- 23.11. Voluntary Reconveyance to Correct a Default
- 23.12. Voluntary Reconveyance Documentation
- 23.13. Notice of Reverter of Property and Revestment of Title and Property Interest in the U.S.
- 23.14. Recording Notice of Reversion of Property and Revestment of Title in the United States
- 23.15. Certificate of Inspection and Possession
- 23.16. Possession, Posting or Marking of Property
- 23.17. Reversion Case Studies
- 23.18. through 23.21. reserved