U.S. Department ADVISORY of Transportation Federal Aviation CIRCULAR Administration AC 70/7460-1K Obstruction Marking 1 = L-864 and Lighting
• = L-810 The number of light units recommended As low as so Teet (om) More than 250ft. (77m) 1751'-2200° More than 500ft (15 01-17:
27m-533г 051°-1400 (320m-427m) 701°-1050' (213m-320m 501'-700 (152m-213m) Effective: 2/1/07 Initiated by: System Operations Services
Subject: CHANGE 2 TO OBSTRUCTION Date: 2/1/07 AC No.: 70/7460-1K MARKING AND LIGHTING Initiated by: AJR-33 Change: 2
1. PURPOSE. This change amends the Federal Aviation Administration’s standards for marking and lighting structures to promote aviation safety. The change number and date of the change material are located at the top of the page.
2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This change is effective February 1, 2007.
3. EXPLANATION OF CHANGES.
a. Table of Contents. Change pages i through iii.
b. Page 1. Paragraph 1. Reporting Requirements. Incorporated the word “Title” in reference to the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 77). FAA Regional Air Traffic Division office to read Obstruction Evaluation service (OES). FAA website to read http://oeaaa.faa.gov.
c. Page 1. Paragraph 4. Supplemental Notice Requirement (subpart b). FAA Regional Air Traffic Division office to read OES.
d. Page 1. Paragraph 5. Modifications and Deviations (subpart a). FAA Regional Air Traffic Division office to read OES.
e. Page 1. Paragraph 5. Modifications and Deviations (subpart c). FAA Regional office to read OES.
f. Page 2. Paragraph 5. Modifications and Deviations (subpart d). Removed period to create one sentence.
g. Page 2. Paragraph 7. Metric Units. And to read however.
h. Page 3. Paragraph 23. Light Failure Notification (subpart b). Nearest to read appropriate. FAA’s website to read web. Website www.faa.gov/ats/ata/ata400 to read http://www.afss.com.
i. Page 4. Paragraph 24. Notification of Restoration. Removed AFSS.
j. Page 5. Paragraph 32. Paint Standards. Removed a comma after “Since”.
k. Page 5. Paragraph 33. Paint Patterns (subpart d. Alternate Bands).
Removed number 6. Number 7 to read number 6.
l. Page 9. Paragraph 41. Standards. TASC to read OTS. SVC-121.23 to read M-30.
m. Page 14. Paragraph 55. Wind Turbine Structures. Removed. The paragraph numbers that follow have been changed accordingly.
n. Page 18. Paragraph 65. Wind Turbine Structures. Removed. The paragraph numbers that follow have been changed accordingly.
o. Page 20. Paragraph 77. Radio and Television Towers and Similar Skeletal Structures. Excluding to read including.
p. Page 23. Paragraph 85. Wind Turbine Structures. Removed. The paragraph number that follows has been changed accordingly.
q. Page 33-34. Chapter 13. Marking and Lighting Wind Turbine Farms.
Added.
r. Page A1-3. Appendix 1. Verbiage removed under first structure.
Nancy B. Kalinowski Director, System Operations Airspace and Aeronautical Information Management
PAGE CONTROL CHART AC 70/7460-1K CHG 2
Remove Pages Dated Insert Pages Dated
i through iii 8/1/00 i through iii 1/1/07 1-5 8/1/00 1-5 1/1/07 9 3/1/00 9 1/1/07 14 3/1/00 14 1/1/07 18-34 3/1/00 18-34 1/1/07 A1-3 8/1/00 A1-3 1/1/07
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1. ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL PROCEDURES
1. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS1
2. PRECONSTRUCTION NOTICE1
3. FAA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT1
4. SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE REQUIREMENT1
5. MODIFICATIONS AND DEVIATIONS1
6. ADDITIONAL NOTIFICATION2
7. METRIC UNITS2
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL
20. STRUCTURES TO BE MARKED AND LIGHTED3
21. GUYED STRUCTURES3
22. MARKING AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT3
23. LIGHT FAILURE NOTIFICATION3
24. NOTIFICATION OF RESTORATION4
25. FCC REQUIREMENT4
CHAPTER 3. MARKING GUIDELINES
30. PURPOSE5
31. PAINT COLORS5
32. PAINT STANDARDS5
33. PAINT PATTERNS5
34. MARKERS6
35. UNUSUAL COMPLEXITIES7
36. OMISSION OR ALTERNATIVES TO MARKING7
CHAPTER 4. LIGHTING GUIDELINE
40. PURPOSE9
41. STANDARDS9
42. LIGHTING SYSTEMS9
43. CATENARY LIGHTING10
44. INSPECTION, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE10
45. NONSTANDARD LIGHTS10
46. PLACEMENT FACTORS10
47. MONITORING OBSTRUCTION LIGHTS11
48. ICE SHIELDS11
49. DISTRACTION11
CHAPTER 5. RED OBSTRUCTION LIGHT SYSTEM
50. PURPOSE13
51. STANDARDS13
52. CONTROL DEVICE13
53. POLES, TOWERS, AND SIMILAR SKELETAL STRUCTURES13
54. CHIMNEYS, FLARE STACKS, AND SIMILAR SOLID STRUCTURES14
55. GROUP OF OBSTRUCTIONS14
56. ALTERNATE METHOD OF DISPLAYING OBSTRUCTION LIGHTS15
57. PROMINENT BUILDINGS, BRIDGES, AND SIMILAR EXTENSIVE OBSTRUCTIONS15
Table of Contents i
AC 70/7460-1K CHG 2 2/1/07
CHAPTER 6. MEDIUM INTENSITY FLASHING WHITE OBSTRUCTION LIGHT SYSTEMS
60. PURPOSE17
61. STANDARDS17
62. RADIO AND TELEVISION TOWERS AND SIMILAR SKELETAL STRUCTURES17
63. CONTROL DEVICE17
64. CHIMNEYS, FLARE STACKS, AND SIMILAR SOLID STRUCTURES18
65. GROUP OF OBSTRUCTIONS18
66. SPECIAL CASES18
67. PROMINENT BUILDINGS AND SIMILAR EXTENSIVE OBSTRUCTIONS18
CHAPTER 7. HIGH INTENSITY FLASHING WHITE OBSTRUCTION LIGHT SYSTEMS
70. PURPOSE19
71. STANDARDS19
72. CONTROL DEVICE19
73. UNITS PER LEVEL19
74. INSTALLATION GUIDANCE19
75. ANTENNA OR SIMILAR APPURTENANCE LIGHT20
76. CHIMNEYS, FLARE STACKS, AND SIMILAR SOLID STRUCTURES20
77. RADIO AND TELEVISION TOWERS AND SIMILAR SKELETAL STRUCTURES20
78. HYPERBOLIC COOLING TOWERS20
79. PROMINENT BUILDINGS AND SIMILAR EXTENSIVE OBSTRUCTIONS21
CHAPTER 8. DUAL LIGHTING WITH RED/MEDIUM INTENSITY FLASHING WHITE
SYSTEMS
80. PURPOSE23
81. INSTALLATION23
82. OPERATION23
83. CONTROL DEVICE23
84. ANTENNA OR SIMILAR APPURTENANCE LIGHT23
85. OMISSION OF MARKING23
CHAPTER 9. DUAL LIGHTING WITH RED/HIGH INTENSITY FLASHING WHITE
SYSTEMS
90. PURPOSE25
91. INSTALLATION25
92. OPERATION25
93. CONTROL DEVICE25
94. ANTENNA OR SIMILAR APPURTENANCE LIGHT25
95. OMISSION OF MARKING25
CHAPTER 10. MARKING AND LIGHTING OF CATENARY AND CATENARY SUPPORT
STRUCTURES
100. PURPOSE27
101. CATENARY MARKING STANDARDS27
102. CATENARY LIGHTING STANDARDS27
103. CONTROL DEVICE28
104. AREA SURROUNDING CATENARY SUPPORT STRUCTURES28
105. THREE OR MORE CATENARY SUPPORT STRUCTURES28
Table of Contents ii
CHAPTER 11. MARKING AND LIGHTING MOORED BALLOONS AND KITES
110. PURPOSE29
111. STANDARDS29
112. MARKING29
113. PURPOSE29
114. OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS29
CHAPTER 12. MARKING AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION
120. PURPOSE31
121. PAINT STANDARD31
122. AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFICATIONS31
123. LIGHTS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT31
124. AVAILABILITY32
CHAPTER 13. MARKING AND LIGHTING WIND TURBINE FARMS
130. PURPOSE33
131. GENERAL STANDARDS33
132. WIND TURBINE CONFIGURATIONS33
133. MARKING STANDARDS33
134. LIGHTING STANDARDS33
APPENDIX 1: SPECIFICATIONS FOR OBSTRUCTION LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
CLASSIFICATION
APPENDIXA1-2
APPENDIX 2. MISCELLANEOUS
1. RATIONALE FOR OBSTRUCTION LIGHT INTENSITIESA2-1
2. DISTANCE VERSUS INTENSITIESA2-1
3. CONCLUSIONA2-1
4. DEFINITIONSA2-1
5. LIGHTING SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONA2-2
Table of Contents iii
CHAPTER 1. ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL PROCEDURES
1. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS A sponsor proposing any t ype of construction or alteration of a structure that may affect the National Airspace System (NAS) is required under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR part 77) to notify the FAA by completing the Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration form (FAA Form 7460-1). The form should be sent to the Obstruction Evaluation service (OES). Copies of FAA Form 7460-1 may be obtained from OES, Airports District Office or FAA Website at http://oeaaa.faa.gov.
2. PRECONSTRUCTION NOTICE The notice must be submitted:
a. At least 30 days prior to the date of proposed construction or alteration is to begin.
b. On or before the date an application for a construction permit is filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (The FCC advises its applicants to file with the FAA well in advance of the 30-day period in order to expedite FCC processing.)
3. FAA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The FAA will acknowledge, in writing, receipt of each FAA Form 7460-1 notice received.
4. SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE REQUIREMENT
a. If required, the FAA will include a FAA Form 7460-2, Notice of Actual Construction or Alteration, with a determination.
b. FAA Form 7460-2 Part 1 is to be completed and sent to the FAA at least 48 hours prior to starting the actual construction or alteration of a structure.
Additionally, Part 2 shall be submitted no later than 5 days after the structure has reached its greatest height. The form should be sent to the OES.
c. In addition, supplemental notice shall be submitted upon abandonment of construction.
d. Letters are acceptable in cases where the construction/alteration is temporary or a proposal is abandoned. This notification process is designed to permit the FAA the necessary time to change affected procedures and/or minimum flight altitudes, and to otherwise alert airmen of the structure’s presence.
Note-
NOTIFICATION AS REQUIRED IN THE DETERMINATION IS CRITICAL TO AVIATION SAFETY.
5. MODIFICATIONS AND DEVIATIONS
a. Requests for modification or deviation from the standards outlined in this AC must be submitted to the OES. The sponsor is responsible for adhering to approved marking and/or lighting limitations, and/or recommendations given, and should notify the FAA and FCC (for those structures regulated by the FCC) prior to removal of marking and/or lighting. A request received after a determination is issued may require a new study and could result in a new determination.
b. Modifications. Modifications will be based on whether or not they impact aviation safety. Examples of modifications that may be considered:
1. Marking and/or Lighting Only a Portion of an Object. The object may be so located with respect to other objects or terrain that only a portion of it needs to be marked or lighted.
2. No Marking and/or Lighting. The object may be so located with respect to other objects or terrain, removed from the general flow of air traffic, or may be so conspicuous by its shape, size, or color that marking or lighting would serve no useful purpose.
3. Voluntary Marking and/or Lighting . T h e object may be so located with respect to other objects or terrain that the sponsor feels increased conspicuity would better serve aviation safety. Sponsors who desire to voluntarily mark and/or light their structure should request the proper marking and/or lighting from the FAA to ensure no aviation safety issues are impacted.
4. Marking or Lighting an Object in Accordance with the Standards for an Object of Greater Height or Size. The object may present such an extraordinary hazard potential that higher standards may be recommended for increased conspicuity to ensure the safety to air navigation.
c. Deviations. The OES conducts an aeronautical study of the proposed deviation(s) and forwards its recommendation to FAA headquarters in Washington, DC, for final approval. Examples of deviations that may be considered:
AC 70/7460-1K CHG 22/1/07
1. Colors of objects.
2. Dimensions of color bands or rectangles.
3. Colors/types of lights.
4. Basic signals and intensity of lighting.
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AC 70/7460-1K CHG 2 2/1/07
5. Night/day lighting combinations.
6. Flash rate.
d. The FAA strongly recommends that owners become familiar with the different types of lighting systems and to specifically request the type of lighting system desired when submitting FAA Form 7460-1. (This request should be noted in “item 2.D” of the FAA form.) Information on these systems can be found in Chapter 12, Table 4 of this AC. While the FAA will make every effort to accommodate the structure sponsor’s request, sponsors should also request information from system manufacturers in order to determine which system best meets their needs based on purpose, installation, and maintenance costs.
6. ADDITIONAL NOTIFICATION Sponsors are reminded that any change to the submitted information on which the FAA has based its determination, including modification, deviation or optional upgrade to white lighting on structures which are regulated by the FCC, must also be filed with the FCC prior to making the change for proper authorization and annotations of obstruction marking and lighting. These structures will be subject to inspection and enforcement of marking and lighting requirements by the FCC. FCC Forms and Bulletins can be obtained from the FCC’s National Call Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). Upon completion of the actual change, notify the Aeronautical Charting office at:
NOAA/NOS Aeronautical Charting Division Station 5601, N/ACC113 1305 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910-3233
7. METRIC UNITS To promote an orderly transition to metric units, sponsors should include both English and metric (SI units) dimensions. The metric conversions may not be exact equivalents, however, until there is an official changeover to the metric system, the English dimensions will govern.
Chap 1 2
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL
20. STRUCTURES TO BE MARKED AND
LIGHTED Any temporary or permanent structure, including all appurtenances, that exceeds an overall height of 200 feet (61m) above ground level (AGL) or exceeds any obstruction standard contai ned in 14 CFR part 77, should normally be marked and/or lighted. However, an FAA aeronautical study may reveal that the absence of marking and/or lighting will not impair aviation safety. Conversely, the object may present such an extraordinary hazard potential that higher standards may be recommended for increased conspicuity to ensure safety to air navigation.
Normally outside commercial lighting is not considered sufficient reason to omit recommended marking and/or lighting. Recommendations on marking and/or lighting structures can vary depending on terrain feat ures, weather patterns, geographic location, and in the case of wind turbines, number of structures and overall layout of design.
The FAA may also recommend marking and/or lighting a structure that does not exceed 200 (61m) feet AGL or 14 CFR part 77 standards because of its particular location.
21. GUYED STRUCTURES The guys of a 2,000-foot (610m) skeletal tower are anchored from 1,600 feet (488m) to 2,000 feet (610m) from the base of the structure. This places a portion of the guys 1,500 feet (458m) from the tower at a height of between 125 feet (38m) to 500 feet (153m) AGL. 14 CFR part 91, section 119, requires pilots, when operating over other than congested areas, to remain at least 500 feet (153m) from manmade structures. Therefore, the tower must be cleared by 2,000 feet (610m) horizontally to avoid all guy wires. Properly maintained marking and lighting are important for increased conspicuity since the guys of a structure are difficult to see until aircraft are dangerously close.
22. MARKING AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT Considerable effort and research have been expended in determining the minimum marking and lighting systems or quality of materials that will produce an acceptable level of safety to air navigation. The FAA will recommend the use of only those marking and lighting systems that meet established technical standards. While additional lights may be desirable to identify an obstruction to air navigation and may, on occasion be recommended, the FAA will recommend minimum standards in the interest of safety, economy, and related concerns. Therefore, to provide an adequate level of safety, obstruction lighting systems should be installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the recommended standards herein.
23. LIGHT FAILURE NOTIFICATION
a. Sponsors should keep in mind that conspicuity is achieved only when all recommended lights are working. Partial equipment outages decrease the margin of safety. Any outage should be corrected as soon as possible. Failure of a steady burning side or intermediate light should be corrected as soon as possible, but notification is not required.
b. Any failure or malfunction that lasts more than thirty (30) minutes and affects a top light or flashing obstruction light, regardless of its position, should be reported immediately to the appropriate flight service station (FSS) so a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) can be issued. Toll-free numbers for FSS are listed in most telephone books or on the web at http://www.afss.com. This report should contain the following information:
AC 70/7460-1K CHG 2 2/1/07
1. Name of persons or organizations reporting light failures including any title, address, and telephone number.
2. The type of structure.
3. Location of structure (including latitude and longitude, if known, prominent structures, landmarks, etc.).
4. Height of structure above ground level (AGL)/above mean sea level (AMSL), if known.
5. A return to service date.
6. FCC Antenna Registration Number (for structures that are regulated by the FCC).
Note-
1. When the primary lamp in a double obstruction light fails, and the secondary lamp comes on, no report is required. However, when one of the lamps in an incandescent L-864 flashing red beacon fails, it should be reported.
2. After 15 days, the NOTAM is automa tically deleted from the system.
The sponsor is responsible for calling the nearest FSS to extend the outage date or to report a return to service date.
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AC 70/7460-1K CHG 2 2/1/07
24. NOTIFICATION OF RESTORATION As soon as normal operation is restored, notify the same FSS that received the notification of failure.
The FCC advises that noncompliance with notification procedures could subject its sponsor to penalties or monetary forfeitures.
25. FCC REQUIREMENT FCC licensees are required to file an environmental assessment with the Commission when seeking authorization for the use of the high intensity flashing white lighting system on structures located in residential neighborhoods, as defined by the applicable zoning law.
Chap 2 4