[BC] Contacting the FAA

[Phil Alexander]

On 28 Dec 2006 at 11:13, Bailey, Scott wrote:

> 
> Does anybody have any clue of a telephone number of the nearest FAA
> office in Nashville? 
> 
> Here's the deal, I've been told I don't need to light my tower, but I
> want to get official word from the FAA. I went to their web site and it
> wasn't helpful at all! Any idea where I start?
> 
> Thanks!
> 

Scott,

If you want to get informal guidance about how to proceed, and a 
good idea of what the outcome will be, you need to talk to the
FAA District Safety Officer. The FAA Flight Service Station for
your area should be able to give you the correct name and number.
Call the same number you would use to report a tower light outage.
The number probably is 1-800-WX-BRIEF, but if that doesn't work,
or if the Nashville FSS is not cooperative, you can call Southern
Region Customer Service at 404-305-5002 and they should be able
to put you in touch with the DSO for Nashville.

If you want a formal hazard evaluation which will determine if
you must light your tower you will need to file the proper forms
with the regional office in Atlanta for a Hazard Determination
and wait about 6 - 7 weeks for their determination. If they advise
that lighting is not required, you will have to file with the FCC
for modification of license to get the lighting requirement 
removed.

At one time all towers taller than 150 ft. were required to have
lighting. That was later increased to 200 ft. If your tower is
over 150 ft. but less than 200 ft. you MAY not be required to 
light it, but that depends on your location with respect to
all established airport approaches and airfields in the vicinity.
The only way you will know for sure is to file the paperwork.
However, be sure you also file the site as "constructed" after
you get the ruling, and that you file with the FCC for license
modification if you want the requirement for lighting removed
from your license. Filing for a study with the FAA doesn't get
you cleared to turn off the lights with the FCC automatically.
You have to apply for that.


---------------------------------------------
Phil Alexander, CSRE, AMD
Broadcast Engineering Services and Technology 
(a Div. of Advanced Parts Corporation) 
Ph. (317) 335-2065   FAX (317) 335-9037