Service Information

FAA/FCC Filing/Licensing

Many FAA and FCC notification filings and licensing applications can be performed directly on line with the federal agencies. However, attempting to navigate through the complexities of submitting and monitoring these forms can be taxing, and can easily delay your timeline when unexpected regulatory issues surface.

FAA notification for a proposed new structure or for alterations to an existing structure requires the preparation of FAA Form 7460-1 . Following FAA and all other regulatory approvals, you will be required to submit, a minimum of 48 hours before construction begins, FAA Form 7460-2, a supplemental notice identifying when construction will begin. Another supplemental notice is required to be filed when the  structure has reached its greatest height.

Structures that require FAA notification – including new and existing structures – must be registered with the FCC by its owner. Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) requirements only apply to those antenna structures that may create a hazard to air navigation either by their height, generally those more than 200 feet, or the structure’s proximity to an airport. All registrations are filed using FCC Form 854 .

The FCC does not require each antenna structure to be registered. To determine whether or not registration with the FCC is necessary, visit the  FCC Registration Determination  screen. After entering your data you will receive a list of reasons whether you have to register or not and the reasons why.

From prior coordination notices, frequency co-ordinations and renewals, there are a host of additional regulatory filings and notifications. Although the FAA and FCC have instituted online filing, and some of it is relatively easy, others can be extremely difficult to process. Click here for additional  FCC Forms .

Locate licenses and towers easily

The ASR Registration Search enables you to search for a wide range of licenses in the Antenna Structure Registration system. The "Search for a Registration" enables you to search on basic elements of a registration, including registration number, FAA study number, FRN, and licensee name. The "Search by Location" enables you to look up a registration based on the location and height of a structure. You can also use the advanced search to perform more sophisticated searches based on numerous criteria.

New FAA colo policy impacts installations

A major policy change was announced by the FAA during April of 2004 which eliminates the need to file a notice for an FAA study to determine if adding new antennas or frequencies, without increasing the structure's height, to co-located antennas poses a threat to air traffic safety. The FAA used to require prior approval for new antennas or modified channels, a process that took anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Notification is still required to be provided to the FAA for the addition of new antennas and frequencies in quarterly reports.

The policy change was initiated through a collaborative effort involving the FAA and the Colo Void Clause Coalition (CVCC), a collection of tower companies and wireless carriers led by the PCIA. It was shown by this group that cellular, PCS and ESMR bans were unlikely to cause interference with air traffic communications.

Although the FAA will benefit from the move by freeing up administrative personnel, tower and carrier companies will be the prime beneficiaries, saving tens of thousands of dollars each year.

We recommend that you contact our listed FAA and FCC consulting companies to obtain additional information about their services, capabilities and experience.

Some companies will file an antenna structure registration for as low as $75.00 , based upon multiple filings. Two published listings identified the following average pricing:

What are Antenna Structures?

The FCC Rules specifically define the term "antenna structures" as “The radiating and/or receive system, its supporting structures  and any appurtenances mounted thereon." In practical terms, an antenna structure could be a free standing structure, built specifically to support or act as an antenna, or it could be a structure mounted on some other man-made object (such as a building or bridge). In the latter case, the structure must be registered with the FCC, not the building or bridge. Objects such as buildings, observation towers, bridges, windmills, and water towers that do not have an antenna mounted on them are not antenna structures and should not be registered. Keep in mind that the FCC only has jurisdiction over antenna structures, and thus, other objects that do not house antennas are not required to be registered with the FCC -- regardless of their location or height.