Special Use Airport

[s3jetman]

Our airline operates into a "Special Use" airport. (KEYW) Key West is considered special use by the FAA or ICAO. I am looking for documantation as to why it is special use. I have a few leads but it is all just someone giving my their explanation. I would like offical document reference if someone out there can help that would be great

 

[LewisU_Pilot]

Special-Use Airport means an airport not open to the general public, access to which is controlled by the owner in support of commercial activities, public services, and/or personal use.


EDIT...Ooops sorry thought you were looking for what a Special Use Airport was. Guess I should actually read the post next time.

 

[A Squared]

Special-Use Airport means an airport not open to the general public, access to which is controlled by the owner in support of commercial activities, public services, and/or personal use.

That's one definition of "special use airport" I suspect that it's not the one that is relevant here. My GOM lists a number of "special use" airports, most of which are state owned and operated public airports. Thay are special use because of interesting terrain challenges, some have extreme gradient runways.

The term "special use" is used in my GOM, although the relevant regulation 121.445 doesn't use the term "special use".

*edit* Maybe that is the relevant definition. I don't imagine Key West has much in the way of terrain issues

 

[great cornholio]

If you look at the pretty picture pages for KEYW in your Jepps it should tell you why it is special use. IE Mountainous Terrian (probably not) or Special Procedures (DCA is that way for us). My guess is it has something to do with EYW being such a short runway, or close to the Key West navy base, or surrounded by water which made it fun for my students there at nite.

 

[timeoff]

The MSA for that area is 15,000ft. There is a tethered balloon up to 14k within a few miles of KEYW. Maybe that is why?

 

[FL420]

The MSA for that area is 15,000ft. There is a tethered balloon up to 14k within a few miles of KEYW. Maybe that is why?

That would likely be it as natural or man-made obstructions in the vicinity of an airport is one criterion for designating an airport as requiring special airport qualifications for pilots operating under Parts 135 or 121.

I think you guys may be confusing the terms for special use airspace and special airports.

14 CFR Sec. 121.445 - Pilot in command airport qualification: Special areas and airports.
(a) The Administrator may determine that certain airports (due to items such as surrounding terrain, obstructions, or complex approach or departure procedures) are special airports requiring special airport qualifications and that certain areas or routes, or both, require a special type of navigation qualification.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no certificate holder may use any person, nor may any person serve, as pilot in command to or from an airport determined to require special airport qualifications unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months:
(1) The pilot in command or second in command has made an entry to that airport (including a takeoff and landing) while serving as a pilot flight crewmember; or
(2) The pilot in command has qualified by using pictorial means acceptable to the Administrator for that airport.
(c) Paragraph (b) of this section does not apply when an entry to that airport (including a takeoff or a landing) is being made if the ceiling at that airport is at least 1,000 feet above the lowest MEA or MOCA, or initial approach altitude prescribed for the instrument approach procedure for that airport, and the visibility at that airport is at least 3 miles.
(d) No certificate holder may use any person, nor may any person serve, as pilot in command between terminals over a route or area that requires a special type of navigation qualification unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, that person has demonstrated qualification on the applicable navigation system in a manner acceptable to the Administrator, by one of the following methods:
(1) By flying over a route or area as pilot in command using the applicable special type of navigation system.
(2) By flying over a route or area as pilot in command under the supervision of a check airman using the special type of navigation system.
(3) By completing the training program requirements of appendix G of this part.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

I found it interesting that an airport I routinely flew into at my charter company was listed as a special use airport at the airline. BGM, Binghamton, NY.

 

[FL420]

I found it interesting that an airport I routinely flew into at my charter company was listed as a special use airport at the airline. BGM, Binghamton, NY.

Here are some of the criteria for designating an airport as a special airport:

1. Obstructions e.g., man-made and high terrain
• Consider engine & Aircraft Systems failures
• Consider escape path procedures
2. Limited Maneuvering Airspace
3. Type of Aircraft:
4. Human factors:
• Language/Accents
• Different Measurement Units
• High Workload(e.g., Complex Approach, Missed App/Dep Procedure)
• Optical Illusions
5. Limited Airport Information (accuracy/currency)
6. Performance Limitations(other than obstacle limitations)
7. Runway Length/Width
8. Unique Country Rules-Different than ICAO
9. Communication, navigation and Surveillance Anomalies-specific to appr. and departures (Appr. Control Radar or lack of ATC)
10. Applicable SFAR
11. Controlled or Uncontrolled Airport
12. Local Weather Conditions/ Availability of Weather Data
13. Loss of Navigational Aids

 

[Annie]

FL420:
Where did you find this list? How does it relate to the information posted by
LewisUPilot?

Am I correct that anyone landing at a "Special Use" airport needs to have completed the "14 CFR Sec. 121.445 - Pilot in command airport qualification: "Special areas and airports" ? What about special use airports that are not designed for jet, or other large airplanes?

Thank you,

 

[FL420]

Where did you find this list? How does it relate to the information posted by LewisUPilot?

Ahhh, what a difference one little word makes. When s3jetman posted the following:

Our airline operates into a "Special Use" airport. (KEYW) Key West is considered special use by the FAA or ICAO. I am looking for documantation as to why it is special use

he momentarily confused LewisU_Pilot by using the term “special use airport” when he really was describing a “special airport.” The giveaway is the word “airline” as it would be extremely unlikely an airline operated under FAR Part 121 or 135 would operate into a “special use airport” whereas they operate into “special airports” fairly frequently.

Special-Use Airport means an airport not open to the general public, access to which is controlled by the owner in support of commercial activities, public services, and/or personal use.

The above definition of a “special use airport” is right on.

LewisU_Pilot then recovered nicely:

EDIT...Ooops sorry thought you were looking for what a Special Use Airport was. Guess I should actually read the post next time.

It’s not surprising you might be confused when pilots with a lot more experience get confused by the terminology. I even had to do some digging to sort out the different definitions of the two terms.

Am I correct that anyone landing at a "Special Use" airport needs to have completed the "14 CFR Sec. 121.445 - Pilot in command airport qualification: "Special areas and airports" ? What about special use airports that are not designed for jet, or other large airplanes?

In a word, no. Not unless you are a pilot operating under FAR Part 135 or 121 into an airport identified by the FAA and your company as a “special airport.” If you fly into a “special use airport” such as an agricultural airport, a private airport or a restricted airport you will usually require the prior permission of the airport owner or operator. In case of an emergency, you may exercise your “emergency authority” and worry about asking for forgiveness later.