Use of NASA Airfield Facilities by Aircraft Not Operated for the Benefit of the Federal Government

14 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart 14
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1400 Scope.

This subpart establishes the responsibility and sets forth the conditions and procedures for the use of NASA airfield facilities by aircraft not operated for the benefit of the Federal Government.

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1401 Definitions.

For the purpose of this subpart, the following definitions apply: (a) NASA Airfield Facility. Those aeronautical facilities owned and operated by NASA that consist of the following: (1) [Reserved] (2) Wallops Airport. The aeronautical facility which is part of the Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), Wallops Island, VA, and is located at 75°28′ west longitude and 37°56′ north latitude in the general vicinity of Chincoteague, Virginia. (3)-(4) [Reserved] (b) NASA owned but non-NASA operated airfield facility. Those aeronautical facilities owned by NASA but not operated by NASA that consist of the following: (1) Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). The aeronautical facility which is a part of the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and is located at 80°41′ west longitude and 28°37′ north latitude. (2) Moffett Federal Airfield (MFA). The aeronautical facility which is part of the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, and is located at 122°03′ west longitude and 37°25′ north latitude. (c) Aircraft not Operated for the Benefit of the Federal Government. Aircraft which are not owned or leased by the United States Government or aircraft carrying crew members or passengers who do not have official business requiring the use of a NASA airfield facility in the particular circumstance in question. (d) Official Business. Business, in the interest of the U.S. Government, which personnel aboard an aircraft must transact with U.S. Government personnel or organizations at or near a NASA facility. The use of a NASA airfield facility by transient aircraft to petition for U.S. Government business or to obtain clearance, servicing, or other items pertaining to itinerant operations is not considered official business. (e) User. An individual partnership or corporation owning, operating, or using an aircraft not operated for the benefit of the Federal Government in whose name permission to use a NASA airfield facility is to be requested and granted. (f) Hold Harmless Agreement. An agreement executed by the user by which the user acknowledges awareness of the conditions of the permission to use a NASA airfield facility, assumes any risks connected therewith, and releases the U.S. Government from all liability incurred by the use of such facility. (g) Use Permit. The written permission signed by the authorized approving official to land, take off, and otherwise use a NASA airfield facility. Such use permit may be issued for single or multiple occasions. The specific terms of the use permit and the provisions of this subpart govern the use which may be made of the airport by aircraft not operated for the benefit for the Federal Government. (h) Certificate of Insurance. A certificate signed by an authorized insurance company representative (or a facsimile of an insurance policy) evidencing that insurance is then in force with respect to any aircraft not operated for the benefit of the Federal Government, the user of which is requesting permission to use a NASA airfield facility (see § 1204.1404(b)).

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1402 Policy.

(a) NASA airfields are not normally available to the general public; hence, any use of airfield facilities by aircraft not operated for the benefit of the Federal Government shall be within the sole discretion of the approving authorities. (b) Except in the event of a declared in-flight emergency (see § 1204.1406) or as otherwise determined by an approving authority, aircraft not operated for the benefit of the Federal Government are not permitted to land or otherwise use NASA airfield facilities. (c) Any use of a NASA airfield facility by aircraft not operated for the benefit of the Federal Government shall be free of charge and no consideration (monetary or otherwise) shall be exacted or received by NASA for such use. However, each user, as a condition of receiving permission to use such airfield facility, shall agree to become familiar with the physical condition of the airfield; abide by the conditions placed upon such use; subject the aircraft, the user, and those accompanying the user to any requirements imposed by NASA in the interest of security and safety while the aircraft or persons are on a NASA facility; use the facilities entirely at the user's own risk; hold the Federal Government harmless with respect to any and all liabilities which may arise as a result of the use of the facilities; and carry insurance covering liability to others in amounts not less than those listed in the Hold Harmless Agreement. (d) Permission to use a NASA airfield facility will be granted only in accordance with the limitations and procedures established by an approving authority and then only when such use will not compete with another airport in the vicinity which imposes landing fees or other user charges. (e) In no event, except for an in-flight emergency (see § 1204.1406), will permission to use NASA airfield facilities be granted to an aircraft arriving directly from, or destined for, any location outside the continental United States unless previously arranged and approved by the authorized approving official. (f) Permission to use NASA airfields may be granted only to those users having the legal capacity to contract and whose aircraft are in full compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other cognizant regulatory agency requirements. (g) Permission to use NASA airfields, except in connection with a declared in-flight emergency, will consist only of the right to land, park an aircraft, and subsequently take off. NASA is not equipped to provide any other services such as maintenance or fuel and such services will not be provided except following an in-flight emergency.

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1403 Available airport facilities.

The facilities available vary at each NASA Installation having an airfield. The airport facilities available are: (a) [Reserved] (b) Wallops Airport—(1) Runways. There are three hard surfaced runways in satisfactory condition. The runways and taxiways are concrete and/or asphalt. Runway 10-28 is 8,000 feet long, 200 feet wide with maximum wheel load of 57,500 pounds; runway 04-22 is 8,750 feet long, 150 feet wide with maximum wheel load of 57,500 pounds; and runway 17-35 is 4,820 feet long, 150 feet wide with maximum wheel load of 14,700 pounds. (2) Parking Areas and Hangar Space. No hangar space is available. However, limited concrete parking ramp space is available as directed by the control tower. (3) Control Tower. This control tower is normally in operation from 0630 to 1830 local time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The tower may be contacted on 126.5 MHz or 394.3 MHz. When the tower is in operation, FAA regulations pertaining to the operation of aircraft at airports with an operating tower (§ 91.87 of this title) will apply. When the tower is not in operation, all aircraft operations will be handled by Wallops UNICOM on the tower frequency, and FAA regulations pertaining to the operation of aircraft at airports without an operating control tower (§ 91.89 of this title) will apply. In addition to Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's) (s 91 of this title), Wallops requires that pilots obtain clearances from the Wallops UNICOM before landings, takeoffs, and taxiing. Civil aircraft operations are normally confined to daylight hours. (4) Navigation Aids. All runways, 04-22, 10-28, and 17-35 are lighted. Both active taxiways, parallels 04-22 and 10-28, are lighted. Airfield lighting is available upon request. All runway approaches are equipped with operating precision approach path indicator (PAPI) systems and are available on request. All airfield obstructions are equipped with red obstruction lights. (5) Hazards. Numerous towers in airport vicinity up to 241 feet above ground level. Existing tree obstructions are located 1500 feet west of runway 10 threshold. High shore bird population exists in the Wallops area. Deer occasionally venture across runways. Light-controlled traffic crossovers are in existence. Potential radio frequency (RF) hazards exist from tracking radars. Hazards involving aircraft and rocket launch operations exist when Restricted Area R-6604 is active. (6) Emergency Equipment. Aircraft rescue and fire-fighting equipment is normally available on a continuous basis. (c)-(d) [Reserved] (e) NASA owned but non-NASA operated airfields. (1) Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) may be made available on an individual emergency basis to a user with prior permission from the airfield operator. (2) Moffett Federal Airfield (MFA) may be made available on an individual emergency basis to a user with prior permission from the airfield operator. (3) No facilities or services other than those described in this section are available except on an individual prior permission or emergency basis to any user. (f) Status of facilities. Changes to the status of the KSC, WFF, and MFA facilities will be published in appropriate current FAA or Department of Defense (DOD) aeronautical publications.

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1404 Requests for use of NASA airfield facilities.

(a) Request for use of a NASA airfield, whether on a one time or recurring basis, must be in writing and addressed to the appropriate NASA facility, namely: (1) [Reserved] (2) Wallops Airport. Director of Suborbital Projects and Operations, Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia 23337. (3) [Reserved] (b) Such requests will: (1) Fully identify the prospective user and aircraft. (2) State the purpose of the proposed use and the reason why the use of the NASA airfield is proposed rather than a commercial airport. (3) Indicate the expected annual use, to include number and approximate date(s) and time(s) of such proposed use. (4) State that the prospective user is prepared to fully comply with the terms of this subpart 14 and the use permit which may be issued. (c) Upon receipt of the written request for permission to use the airport, the NASA official designated by each facility will request additional information, if necessary, and forward both this regulation and the required Hold Harmless Agreement for execution by the requestor or forward, where appropriate, a denial of the request. (d) The signed original of the Hold Harmless Agreement shall be returned to the designated NASA official, and a copy retained in the aircraft at all times. Such copy shall be exhibited upon proper demand by any designated NASA official. (e) At the same time that the prospective user returns the executed original of the Hold Harmless Agreement, the user shall forward to the designated NASA official the required Certificate of Insurance and waiver of rights to subrogation. Such certificate shall evidence that during any period for which a permit to use is being requested, the prospective user has in force a policy of insurance covering liability in amounts not less than those listed in the Hold Harmless Agreement. (f) When the documents (in form and substance) required by paragraphs b through e of this section have been received, they will be forwarded with a proposed use permit to the approving authority for action. (g) The designated NASA official will forward the executed use permit or notification of denial thereof to the prospective user after the approving authority has acted.

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1405 Approving authority.

The authority to establish limitations and procedures for use of a NASA airfield, as well as the authority to approve or disapprove the use of the NASA airfield facilities subject to the terms and conditions of this subpart and any supplemental rules or procedures established for the facility is vested in: (a) Shuttle Landing Facility. Director of Center Support Operations, Kennedy Space Center, NASA. (b) Wallops Airport. Director of Suborbital Projects and Operations, Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility, NASA. (c) Moffett Federal Airfield. Chief, Airfield Management Office, Ames Research Center, NASA.

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1406 Procedures in the event of a declared in-flight emergency.

(a) Any aircraft involved in a declared in-flight emergency that endangers the safety of its passengers and aircraft may land at a NASA airfield. In such situations, the requirements for this subpart for advance authorizations, do not apply. (b) NASA personnel may use any method or means to clear the aircraft or wreckage from the runway after a landing following an in-flight emergency. Care will be taken to preclude unnecessary damage in so doing. However, the runway will be cleared as soon as possible for appropriate use. (c) The emergency user will be billed for all costs to the Government that result from the emergency landing. No landing fee will be charged, but the charges will include the labor, materials, parts, use of equipment, and tools required for any service rendered under these circumstances. (d) In addition to any report required by the Federal Aviation Administration, a complete report covering the landing and the emergency will be filed with the airfield manager by the pilot or, if the pilot is not available, any other crew member or passenger. (e) Before an aircraft which has made an emergency landing is permitted to take off (if the aircraft can and is to be flown out) the owner or operator thereof shall make arrangements acceptable to the approving authority to pay any charges assessed for services rendered and execute a Hold Harmless Agreement. The owner or operator may also be required to furnish a certificate of insurance, as provided in § 1204.1404, covering such takeoff.

14 C.F.R. § 1204.1407 Procedure in the event of an unauthorized use.

Any aircraft not operated for benefit of the Federal Government which lands at a NASA airfield facility without obtaining prior permission from the approving authority, except in a bona fide emergency, is in violation of this subpart. Such aircraft will experience delays while authorization for departure is obtained pursuant to this subpart and may, contrary to the other provisions of this subpart, be required, at the discretion of the approving authority, to pay a user fee of not less than $100. Before the aircraft is permitted to depart, the approving authority will require full compliance with this subpart 1204.14, including the filing of a complete report explaining the reasons for the unauthorized landing. Violators could also be subject to legal liability for unauthorized use. When it appears that the violation of this subpart was deliberate or is a repeated violation, the matter will be referred to the Aircraft Management Office, NASA Headquarters, which will then grant any departure authorization.

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