AIRPORT PLANNING 101

Airport Planning 101

Everything you need to know about FAA airport planning standards, from the basics to advanced design criteria. Start here if you're new to airport planning — each guide is written in plain English and cited to the governing FAA source, with links to the AvPlot tools that put it to work.

Planning Documents & Process

What Goes Into an Airport Layout Plan (ALP) UpdateThe drawings and data tables an ALP requires, what triggers an update, and how the FAA reviews and approves it. → Working with the FAA: Airport Planning Coordination BasicsThe role of the Airports District Office, when FAA coordination is required, the key FAA orders and forms, and AIP grant basics. →

Classification & Funding

Understanding Your Airport's NPIAS ClassificationWhat the NPIAS is, the classification tiers, how classification drives AIP funding eligibility, and how to find your airport's category. →

Design Criteria

How to Determine Your Airport's Critical AircraftWhat the FAA means by critical (design) aircraft, the 500-operation threshold, and how the critical aircraft drives ADG, TDG, and every dimensional standard. → How to Scope a Runway Extension StudyWhy airports pursue extensions, the studies required, and the design standards (RSA, ROFA, RPZ, approach surfaces) that drive extension geometry. →

Going Deeper

Ready for the advanced material? Work through the Runway Design Code, Declared Distances, Part 77 vs TERPS, RPZ Land Use, and AC 13B Change 1 articles. The glossary defines the FAA terms used throughout, the acronyms list expands the abbreviations, and the tool guides walk through each AvPlot tool step by step.

For Consultants & Airport Staff

AvPlot serves both consulting firms and on-staff airport planners. See how it fits your work: AvPlot for Consulting Firms and AvPlot for Airport Planners.