Faa Tower Lighting Regulations

Faa lighting requirements vary depending on the height of cell towers and other structures.

Faa tower lighting regulations.

This change is effective february 1 2007. The fcc s rules governing antenna tower lighting and painting requirements are based upon the advisory recommendations of the faa which are set forth in two faa advisory circulars. Structures that are shorter than this height may also require lighting depending on the structure s location. The change number and date of the change material are located at the top of the page.

Based on the current faa guidelines for new and refiled towers the infographics linked below depict obstruction lighting and tower paint requirements. Fcc and faa tower marking and lighting requirements from the radioreference wiki this page contains links to the fcc and faa web sites explaining height limits for towers and other structures and when they must be marked with red and white paint or white strobe lights in the daytime and red lights at night. Previously towers under 200 were not subject to any federal marking requirements according to officials with the national agricultural aviation association. 47 cfr 17 21 17 58.

The federal aviation administration s obstruction evaluation and airport airspace analysis web site. The new requirements are due to provisions in the faa. 70 7460 1l obstruction marking and lighting with change 2 date issued october 08 2016 responsible office ajv 1 airspace service description this advisory circular ac sets forth standards for marking and lighting obstructions that have been deemed to be a hazard to air navigation. This change amends the federal aviation administration s standards for marking and lighting structures to promote aviation safety.

Some lighting requirements are determined by faa aeronautical studies of the area in which the structure will be located. As of september 28 2016 the federal aviation administration faa no longer permits red non flashing lights on any new tower above 150 feet agl. Although the faa s lighting and painting standards are advisory in nature the fcc s rules make the standards mandatory. And the fcc and faa have developed a process by which registrants may do so.

The faa has asked owners of existing towers to submit plans for eliminating the use of non flashing lights on existing towers. However the most current regulations will likely be changed again by the faa within the next year when certain towers in the 50 to 200 foot in. Last december the faa established new obstruction lighting and marking rules and wireless estimator developed a handy industry reference tool that breaks down and easily explains the 90 page document s changes from the previous advisory circular.