Part 17 requires antenna structures over 200 feet or near airports to be registered with the FCC, marked, and lit per FAA guidelines to ensure visibility for aircraft. Technical specifications for lighting types, colors, and marking patterns are based on the structure's height and location. Compliance also involves assessing environmental and historical impacts.

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47 CFR Part 17 outlines the technical standards for antenna structures to ensure safety and compliance with air navigation requirements. Engineers and technicians involved in the construction and maintenance of towers should consider the following key details:

1. Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) Process (47 CFR § 17.4):
   Towers over 200 feet above ground or located near airports must be registered in the FCC's ASR system. The registration process involves submitting detailed information, including the tower's geographic coordinates, height, and structural characteristics. The ASR system ensures the tower's information is up-to-date and accessible for air navigation safety assessments.

2. Lighting and Marking Standards (47 CFR §§ 17.21-17.23):
   Marking and lighting are required for registered structures based on FAA recommendations. Lighting types include red obstruction lights, medium-intensity white lights, and high-intensity white lights, depending on the tower's height and location. Towers may need dual lighting systems for day and night visibility, with color and intensity adjustments according to FAA guidelines.

3. Environmental and Historical Impact Assessments (47 CFR § 17.4(c)):
   Registration applications must include an assessment of the tower's environmental and historical impacts in accordance with NEPA and NHPA. This may involve preparing environmental impact statements or assessments to determine if the tower will affect protected habitats, species, or historical sites. Engineers should coordinate these evaluations to avoid delays in the registration process.

4. FAA Evaluation and Air Navigation Safety (47 CFR § 17.7):
   The FAA reviews the ASR information to assess potential risks to air navigation. Recommendations may include altering the tower's height, location, or lighting scheme to reduce any hazards. Engineers must follow FAA lighting standards to ensure compliance, especially when structures are near airports or flight paths.

5. Inspection and Maintenance Requirements (47 CFR § 17.47, § 17.48):
   Antenna structures require routine inspection and maintenance of lighting systems. Engineers must monitor lighting functionality and promptly report outages to the FAA. Scheduled maintenance helps prevent failures and ensures continuous compliance with safety standards.

6. Recordkeeping for Compliance (47 CFR § 17.49):
   Accurate recordkeeping of all inspections, maintenance activities, and structural modifications is essential. Documentation of compliance actions ensures that the structure meets FCC and FAA requirements, providing a basis for responding to any inquiries or audits.

We offer consulting services in antenna structure engineering, FCC Part 17 compliance, FAA tower lighting standards, the ASR process, air navigation safety tower requirements, NEPA and NHPA tower impact assessment, antenna marking, and lighting maintenance.