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Aviation and Spaceports Office
Office Manager Aaron N. Smith State Aviation Manager
605 Suwannee Street MS 46 Tallahassee, FL 32399
Tel: 850-414-4500 Fax: 850-414-4508 E-Mail Us
Additional Contacts Staff Directory
Florida is fortunate to be served by one of the most comprehensive and progressive airport systems in the country. The Aviation and Spaceports Office develops the Florida Aviation System Plan, promotes the development and improvement of Florida’s airports and spaceports, regulates airports and protects airport approaches. Major activities include aviation system development, aviation grant program, airport regulation, intergovernmental coordination, aviation outreach and aviation emergency operations management.
Airport Sustainability Guidebook Posted: September 21, 2017
The Airport Sustainability Guidebook has been developed to lead Florida’s airports into a successful and sustainable future. To do so, this Guidebook was developed with a standardized methodology and guidance for developing an effective sustainability plan and implementing sustainability initiatives. It was the goal of FDOT to assist airports and their related staff to develop financial strategies geared at a broad range of topics affecting an airport and its overall sustainability.
This Guidebook was developed specifically for Florida’s airports and for use in educating and informing entities and individuals interested in sustainability including airport managers, airport authorities, local governments, and airport stakeholders and partners, both internal and external. To be as user-friendly as possible, the Guidebook was developed in two distinct sections: “Introduction to the Guidebook” and “Sustainability Planning”. Great effort was taken to make the Guidebook as flexible and customizable as possible. This was done with the intent of providing a resource for ALL Florida airports, not just airports that can afford to fund an entire stand-alone sustainability plan.
Webinar Presentation, Statutory Submittal Requirements to FDOT and Zoning for Lands underlying airport surfaces Posted November 3, 2016
In response to the amendment of Chapter 333, Florida Statutes, (FS), Airport Zoning, effective July 1, 2016, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Aviation and Spaceports Office (ASO) prepared several resource documents to address the changes to Chapter 333, FS, which requires the political subdivisions to amend their airport zoning regulations by July 1, 2017. The resource documents on the FDOT ASO website include:
HB 7061 & FS 333 Comparison Matrix
Chapter 333 FS – Airport Zoning PowerPoint Presentation (1.61 MB)
Chapter 333 FS Airport Zoning PowerPoint Presentation – Recording (193.10 MB)
Chapter 333 FS Airport Zoning - Suggested Regulation Revision Checklist
Chapter 333 FS – Airport Zoning (2015)
Chapter 333 FS – Airport Zoning (2016)
House Bill 7061 – Transportation
The amended Chapter 333, FS includes a continuing statutory requirement for submittal, to the ASO, of airport zoning permit applications and amended airport zoning regulations. In addition, Section 333.03(1)(b), FS, requires that a political subdivision, which controls an airport, and another political subdivision, which has land underlying a surface of the airport, to enter into an interlocal agreement or joint airport zoning board to adopt, administer, enforce and amend airport zoning regulations.
See section Programs & Services / Airport and Airspace Protection and Zoning of the website for articles on Requirements for submitting Airport Zoning Permit Applications, Amended Airport Zoning Regulations, and Regulations for Lands underlying airport surfaces. These articles will explain how and when, in accordance with the current Chapter 333, FS, political subdivisions are required to submit airport zoning permit applications and amended airport zoning regulations to the ASO.
A significant continuing requirement is the obligation, regarding lands underlying airport surfaces, when one of two or more adjacent political subdivisions have land which underlies a Part 77 surface of an adjacent airport, to enter into either an interlocal agreement or joint zoning board. Recent experience has shown that numerous political subdivisions are not complying with the requirements of Chapter 333, FS, and such failure may compromise, halt or delay their airport zoning permit application process
Greg Jones, Airspace and Land Use Manager, FDOT ASO
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Posted: Decemeber 10, 2015 While remote-controlled aircraft have been in use for decades, improvements in engine technology, battery life, and the miniaturization of components have resulted in decreased costs for easy-to-operate UAS. These lower costs have caused UAS use to grow, with many companies looking to take advantage of this newly-available technology. The potential uses of UAS range from infrastructure inspections, surveillance of crops, and aerial mapping to package delivery and event videography. In an effort to educate airports, UAS operators, law enforcement, pilots, and the general public about UAS operations, FDOT Aviation and Spaceports Office has developed a website with a complementary brochure that can easily be disseminated to pilots, elected officials, community associations, and other interested individuals or groups. The website and brochure summarize current federal guidance and state statutes related to UAS operations. Additionally, the website and brochure provide tips for airports, operators, law enforcement, and the public, as well as numerous resources where additional information may be obtained.
United We Stand Specialty License Plate Posted: Jan 6 2014 As you drive around Florida you will notice a variety of Florida license plate designs. In addition to the standard state license plate that is most common, Florida allows drivers to select from more than 120 unique license plates. Florida has license plates for a variety of family, environmental, charitable, and other causes. If you work in the aviation industry, enjoy recreational flying, or are concerned about our national security, you may want to consider purchasing the United We Stand specialty plate. (Created by an Act of the Florida Legislature in 2002 to support Secure Airports for Florida’s Economy.) Revenue goes to the Department of Transportation to fund security-related aviation projects pursuant to Chapter 332, Florida Statutes and to provide training related to airport security and management. Last year, security assessments were conducted at 86 airports and specific projects were funded at 10 airports as a result.
NextGen Transportation System Posted: May 1 2013 The Next Generation Air Transportation System is a transformative change in the management and operation of how we fly. NextGen enhances safety, reduces delays, saves fuel and reduces aviation's adverse environmental impact. This comprehensive initiative, which is already providing benefits, integrates new and existing technologies, including satellite navigation and advanced digital communications. Airports and aircraft in the National Airspace System will be connected to NextGen's advanced infrastructure and will continually share real-time information to provide a better travel experience.