Airport certification is a process whereby Transport Canada certifies that an aerodrome meets airport certification safety standards and that aerodrome data is correct and published in the appropriate aeronautical information publications. When these requirements are met, an airport certificate is issued.

The airport certificate documentation includes

The airport certificate, which certifies that the airport meets the required standards at the time of issuance.
The operations manual, which details the airport specifications, facilities, and services, and specifies the responsibilities of the operator for the maintenance of airport certification standards.

Regulatory References for Aerodrome Certification

The regulatory authority for airport, heliport, and water airport certification is Subpart 302 of the CARs. Depending on the date on which the certificate was initially issued, some aerodrome operators may be complying with previous versions of the certification standards.

Issuance of an Airport Certificate

A certificate will be issued when an inspection confirms that all requirements for airport certification have been met, including the following:

Where variance from the certification standards exists, measures have been implemented to provide for an equivalent level of safety.
The operations manual has been approved by the Regional Director of Civil Aviation.

Airport Certificate Validity and Amendments

The airport certificate is a legal aviation document that remains valid as long as the airport is operated and maintained in accordance with the operations manual. Periodic inspections are conducted to verify continued conformity to the certification standards and conditions specified in the operations manual. Transport Canada may make amendments to the conditions applicable to the issuing of an airport certificate when:

an approved variance from certification standards and a change in the conditions of certification are required;
there is a change in the use or operations of the airport; or
it is requested by the holder of the airport certificate.

Transport Canada Responsibilities

During airport certification, the responsibilities of Transport Canada include:

developing safety standards, policies, and criteria for elements such as the physical characteristics of the manoeuvring area, marking and lighting, and obstacle limitation surfaces in the vicinity of airports, heliports and water airports;
reviewing aeronautical studies where variances from airport certification safety standards are required;
certifying and inspecting against the requirements and conditions of the respective operations manuals. (for airports, heliports, or water airports); and
verifying, amending, and relaying, as appropriate, pertinent airport information to be identified in the appropriate Aerodrome Information Services (AIS) publications.

Airport Operator Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the operator of an airport include, but are not limited to:

complying with the applicable regulations and standards;
completing and distributing an approved operations manual;
maintaining the facility in accordance with the requirements specified in the airport operations manual; and
advising Transport Canada and aircraft operators whenever services or facilities fall below requirements prescribed in the operations manual or differ from the information published in the aeronautical publications for their aerodrome.

Airport Zoning Regulations

An airport zoning regulation imposes restrictions on land use, including vertical development, with the objective of protecting an airport’s current and future accessibility, usability, and viability. Airport zoning regulations (AZR) restrict the heights of buildings, structures and objects (including natural growth, such as trees) on regulated land. Transport Canada may enact AZR in order to:

protect aircraft from hazards (e.g., bird strikes and electronic signal interference);
protect existing airport operations (e.g., airspace management and emergency response); and
ensure that future development near an airport stays compatible with the safe operation of aircraft and of the airport itself

Definitions

Aerodome: Any area of land or water used for the arrival, departure or movement of aircraft.
Airport: An aerodrome in respect of which an airport certificate is issued.
Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS): An OLS establishes the limit to which objects may project into the airspace associated with an airport so that aircraft operations at the airport may be conducted safely. It includes an approach surface, a take-off surface, and a transitional surface.

References

AIM AGA 2.3 Airport Certification
AIM AGA 4.3 Airport Zoning Regulations

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