Proposed legislation protects Ohio’s navigable airspace

AOPA was among several proponents to testify on behalf of House Bill 490, which was introduced February 8 to the Ohio House Transportation and Public Safety Committee.

Summarized, House Bill 490 would streamline the process for ODOT to issue permits for tall structures and therefore enhance safety both in the air and on the ground. Language in the bill would also protect airports from loss of utility should tall structures—namely wind turbines, cell towers, or residential developments—be constructed in areas near airports. If passed, the bill will allow airport sponsors to directly communicate concerns with ODOT, a process which is currently not available in the formal ODOT tall structure permit program.

AOPA testified, “Aviation in Ohio is a [$13 billion] economic driver. Since 2005, more than [$3.3 billion has] been invested in Ohio’s public airports from local, state, and federal funding sources. Many of these investments have gone toward runway rehabilitation, obstruction removal, navaid and lighting upgrades, and airfield infrastructure enhancements. House Bill 490 will ensure that [those] investments are protected and serve the aviation infrastructure in Ohio.”

AOPA also pointed out that nearly every state in the country has a tall structure permitting process administered by an aeronautics commission or department of transportation. In the last decade many states have updated their tall structure permitting system to maintain alignment with federal regulations and protect the utility of airports within their jurisdiction.