104
THE COUNTY’S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
PLANNING ISSUE
Rising fuel prices, increased
airspace restrictions, and
increased federal security
requirements are among the
factors behind the decreasing
number of airport operations
in both the county and region,
placing the future of general
aviation airports in jeopardy.
What’s New?
•
The runway at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station-
Joint Reserve Base (NAS-JRB) closed in March, 2011,
six years after the Department of Defense’s Base
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process identified
the base as surplus.
•
Recent FAA changes to the dimensions of controlled
airspace around Philadelphia International Airport has
lowered the approach altitudes of planes coming in to
Philadelphia, resulting in lowered approaches over
areas of Montgomery County like Lower Merion
Township.
Vehicles
Transit
Pedestrian Mobility
Bicycle Mobility
Aviation
Freight
Aviation
Aviation plays an important role in Montgomery
County’s economy. In 2011, there were more than
100,000 operations (takeoffs and landings) at airports in
the county. These flights were for training and recreation
purposes, the transport of corporate business travelers,
and emergency medical transportation services.
Policies, regulations, and laws governing airport
operations are provided by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation, and administered
through the Delaware Valley Regional Planning
Commission (DVRPC). While Montgomery County does
not directly regulate airports, by working with the
surrounding municipalities, the county can aid in the
establishment of policies that promote the preservation of
airports and aircraft operations.
Montgomery County has five airports (down from 11 in
the 1970s). Two of these are “reliever airports” (public or
privately-owned airports designated by the FAA to
relieve congestion found at commercial service airports
like Philadelphia International Airport; three are “general
aviation” airports, which provide limited corporate and
charter service, and emphasize personal, local, and
recreational aviation services. The total number of
operations (defined as a takeoff or landing) at these
airports has also declined in the last 20 years. Except for
Wings Field, the total number of operations has dropped
for all airports in the county since 1995. Perkiomen
Valley, which ran more than 40,000 operations in 1995
only saw 10,500 in 2011. Horsham Valley Airways
Heliport provides helicopter service primarily to
corporate users. Other privately operated helipads or
helistops are used by individuals, corporations, and
hospitals for emergency transport helicopters.
For service to national and international destinations,
Montgomery County residents are served by Philadelphia
International Airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport
in Allentown, PA, and Trenton-Mercer Airport and
Atlantic City International Airport, both in New Jersey.
Part 77
Federal regulations that affect airport planning are found in
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77.
These regulations establish “surfaces,” which are defined as
airspace around airports that are protected from hazardous
unmarked obstructions. Obstructions are any tall man-made
or natural objects that have the potential to interfere with
aircraft operations by penetrating the lower level of
established surfaces.
In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration has
established safety zones. These zones are land areas
surrounding airports where land uses that could affect safe
airport operations should be controlled.
The exact
measurements of surfaces and safety zones vary by the
length and type of runway, instrument landing system, and
the aircraft size.
Airport Hazard Zoning
In 1984 the Pennsylvania legislature passed Act 164, the
Airport Zoning Act. The act requires all municipalities to
adopt airport zoning regulations to control tall obstructions
within airport hazard areas. Act 164 also recommends
controlling incompatible land uses within airport hazard
areas. The airport hazard areas are based on FAR Part 77
regulations.
