Regulations for Establishing an Airport
The Office of Aviation is responsible for promoting aviation safety throughout the State of Indiana. All private and public-use landing facilities (airports, heliports, ultralight flightparks, and seaplane bases) are required under 105 IAC 3-3 to receive a Certificate of Site Approval. Public-use landing facilities receive annual inspections while private-use facilities receive an initial certificate which is valid for the operating life of the facility. Through this inspection process, the Office of Aviation strives to maintain a high level of safety within the state aviation system.
Each airport, heliport*, and seaplane base is required to have an approved FAA Airspace Determination.
To begin this process, download the following forms and reference material as applicable and return completed forms to the address below:
- For all types of airports, print and fill out these forms:
- Requirement for all types:
- Farmed Area Clearance Requirements
- Note: For Ultralight Flight Parks the clear area is only 160' x 150' (80' each side of centerline) rather than the 165' x 200'. All other dimensions remain the same.
- Important reference for all types:
- Specific to Application Type (Choose One):
- Private Use (Airport, Heliport, Seaplane Base**, Ultralight Flight Park***):
- "an airport that is for the exclusive use of the owner or other persons specifically authorized by the owner." (105 IAC 3-3-2)
The following commercial operations are prohibited at private-use airports unless specifically approved by the department: "the carrying of passengers or cargo for hire; student instruction; rental or sales of aircraft; sale of aviation fuel or oil; air meets or exhibitions; advertising for any of the above; or any activity which solicits general public to use the airport (105 IAC 3-3-22) - Application For Private-Use Site Approval
- "an airport that is for the exclusive use of the owner or other persons specifically authorized by the owner." (105 IAC 3-3-2)
- Public-Use Airports
- "an airport, whether privately or publically owned, which the owner or persons having a right of access and control invite, encourage or allow flight operations by the general public without prior authorization, and which usually has commercial operations." (105 IAC 3-3-2)
- Application For Public-Use Site Approval
- Temporary-Use Airports
- "an airport which is intended to be used for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days for special events or emergency services." (105 IAC 3-3-2)
- Application For Temporary Airport Approval
- Ultralight Flightparks
- "an area, site, or location which is specifically adapted and used or intended to be used for the landing and taking off of ultralights." (105 IAC 3-3-2)
- Application for Certified Ultralight Flightpark
- Private Use (Airport, Heliport, Seaplane Base**, Ultralight Flight Park***):
Complete the required paperwork and mail a hard copy to:
c/o Airport Inspector
100 N. Senate Avenue, Room N955
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Notes:
*Hospital Heliports - Hospitals need not apply unless they exceed an average of 1 takeoff or landing a week.
**Private-Use Seaplane Base on Public Waters - "a certificate of site approval for a private-use seaplane shall not be issued by the department unless any governmental body, authority or person having jurisdiction over the body of water has given approval for use of the site as a private-use seaplane base." (105 IAC 3-3-22)
***Certification of Ultralight Flightparks is voluntary. Please refer to 105 IAC 3-4 for guidance and standardization for the preferred characteristics desired for modern ultralight flightparks. Please remember, if your aircraft has more than 2 seats and has a registered "N-number" it is not an ultralight, but an airplane. (requiring application for a private-use airport)
If you have any questions, please contact our airport inspector at (317)232-1485.
Helpful Information:
Advisory Circulars
- AC 70-2E Airspace Utilization Considerations in the Proposed Construction, Alteration, Activation and Deactivation of Airports.
- Heliport Design Standards.
- Seaplane Bases.
- Standards for Airport Markings.
- Standards for Airport Sign Systems:
- Available through the Office of Aviation or the FAA. Please contact us for a copy.
- Model Zoning Ordinance to Limit Height of Objects Around Airports.
- Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) For Airport Operators.
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