Recent Airline Incident
Major airline incidences are overly hard to come across even though minor incidences, though also not an order of the day, happen sporadically. For instance this week on Tuesday, a Xian MA60 plane developed a mechanical problem while trying to land at China’s Zhengzhou-Xinzheng International Airport (Aviation Safety Network, 2014). No fatality was recorded to this plane that was carrying 37 passengers and seven crew members. Even though no report is out about the cause of the incident, it is reported that the undercarriage of the plane retracted leading to the nose of the plane touching the runway (Aviation Safety Network, 2014).
Master Records of Canyonland Field Airport
In a state dominated by general aviation airports, the Canyonland Field Airport stands out as one of the few airports classified differently by the NPIAS. As a public-owned airport, Canyonland Field Airport is located in the heart of Utah, close to 20 nautical miles North West of Moab (Canyonlands Field, n.d.). The airport has been operational since 1963 and covers a total land area of close to 100 acres. The airport is currently being managed by the Grand County. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) classifies the airport as commercial service airport perhaps due to the fact that it serves the town of Moab (Aeronautical Information Services, n.d.). Though not given any ARFF index, the airport is classified as a Class III airport according to Part 139 Airport classification. Pointedly, Canyonland Field Airport has a single run-way with a bearing capacity of 25,000 lbs (single wheel).
FAR Part 77
Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulations called the Objects Affecting Navigable Airspace sets guidelines for determining obstructions in navigable airspace. This part of FAR also highlights that requirements that a constructor must meet before erecting any structure that might affect aerospace navigation besides giving the guidelines for aeronautical studies. Pointedly, even though FAR Part 77 does give any definition of “airspace” the perceived definition of the term can be derived from the manner in which it is used in part 77. “Airspace” as used in part 77 implies the space above the ground surrounding and airport that is required for take and landing of airplanes.
References
Aviation Safety Network. (2014). ASN Aircraft accident Xian MA60 B-3455 Zhengzhou-Xinzheng International Airport (CGO). Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved February 5, 2014, from http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20140204-0
Aeronautical Information Services (n.d.). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). Retrieved February 5, 2014, from http://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/airportdata_5010/menu/contacts.cfm?Region=&District=&State=UT&County=&City=&Use=&Certification=
Canyonlands Field (n.d.). Canyonlands Field. Retrieved February 5, 2014, from http://www.moabairport.com/
