14 CFR § 77.3 - Definitions.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s77.3"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 77.3 - Definitions."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "77.3"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "AIRSPACE"
part_number: "77"
part_name: "SAFE, EFFICIENT USE, AND PRESERVATION OF THE NAVIGABLE AIRSPACE"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 106 (g), 40103, 40113-40114, 44502, 44701, 44718, 46101-46102, 46104."
regulatory_source: "Docket FAA-2006-25002, 75 FR 42303, July 21, 2010, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "77"
---
# 77.3 Definitions.
For the purpose of this part:
*Non-precision instrument runway* means a runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing air navigation facilities with only horizontal guidance, or area type navigation equipment, for which a straight-in non-precision instrument approach procedure has been approved, or planned, and for which no precision approach facilities are planned, or indicated on an FAA planning document or military service military airport planning document.
*Planned or proposed airport* is an airport that is the subject of at least one of the following documents received by the FAA:
(1) Airport proposals submitted under 14 CFR part 157.
(2) Airport Improvement Program requests for aid.
(3) Notices of existing airports where prior notice of the airport construction or alteration was not provided as required by 14 CFR part 157.
(4) Airport layout plans.
(5) DOD proposals for airports used only by the U.S. Armed Forces.
(6) DOD proposals on joint-use (civil-military) airports.
(7) Completed airport site selection feasibility study.
*Precision instrument runway* means a runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing an Instrument Landing System (ILS), or a Precision Approach Radar (PAR). It also means a runway for which a precision approach system is planned and is so indicated by an FAA-approved airport layout plan; a military service approved military airport layout plan; any other FAA planning document, or military service military airport planning document.
*Public use airport* is an airport available for use by the general public without a requirement for prior approval of the airport owner or operator.
*Seaplane base* is considered to be an airport only if its sea lanes are outlined by visual markers.
*Utility runway* means a runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller driven aircraft of 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight and less.
*Visual runway* means a runway intended solely for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures, with no straight-in instrument approach procedure and no instrument designation indicated on an FAA-approved airport layout plan, a military service approved military airport layout plan, or by any planning document submitted to the FAA by competent authority.