Safety Zones (SA)
Safety zones are areas in which development should be more restrictive in
terms of use and concentrations of people due to the higher risks to public
safety. An issue to consider includes aircraft accident potential zones.
Military installations often engage in activities or contain facilities that
require special consideration by local jurisdictions when evaluating
compatibility due to public safety concerns. It is important to regulate land
use near military airfields in order to minimize damage from potential
aircraft accidents and to reduce air navigation hazards. To help mitigate
potential issues, the Department of Defense (DoD) has delineated Clear
Zones (CZ) and Accident Potential Zones (APZ) in the vicinity of airfield
runways. APZs are usually divided into APZ I and APZ II. Each zone was
developed based on the statistical review of aircraft accidents. Studies show
that most mishaps occur on or near the runway, predominately along its
extended centerline.
Key Terms
Area Operations Area (AOA). The Area Operations Area (AOA) is an area
that encompasses the entire airport's approach or departure airspace
including the circling space.
Accident Potential Zone I (APZ I). Accident Potential Zone I (APZ I) is an
area beginning at the end of each clear zone (see definition) and continuing
out to a length of 5,000 feet long by 3,000 feet wide. APZ I follows a curved
shape to reflect the predominant flight tracks, and can even split to reflect
differences in standard approaches / departures and closed pattern tracks.
This area has a lower potential for accidents and therefore, has less
restrictive development restrictions recommended.
Background Report
Accident Potential Zone II (APZ II). Accident Potential Zone II (APZ II) is an
area that begins at the end of each APZ I and extends an additional
7,000 feet long by 3,000 feet wide. This APZ can also be curved as the flight
tracks are considered in the designation of this APZ. The accident potential
is further reduced; thus some additional development types are allowed.
Bird / Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH). Bird / Wildlife Aircraft Strike
Hazard (BASH) refers to the likely occurrence for a collision between an
airborne animal (usually a bird) and a human‐made vehicle, particularly
aircraft.
BASH Relevancy Area. The BASH Relevancy Area is a 5‐statute mile area
from the airport operational area, including the runway. This area has been
determined by the FAA as an area where BASH incidences are likely to occur
due to the types of flying operations that occur near the airfield. Such
operations are typically at slower speeds and lower altitudes making the
conditions for BASH opportune.
Clear Zone (CZ). The Clear Zone (CZ) is the area that has the highest
statistical potential of an aircraft incident (but again, a very low probability).
As the name reflects, this area should be kept clear of all structures,
including fences. The CZs at Keesler AFB begin at the end of each displaced
threshold and measures 3,000 feet long and 3,000 feet wide, or 1,500 feet
on each side of the runway center line.
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