What Transmission Developers Should Know About Airspace and Communications Constraints
by David Beranek
David Beranek is a Senior Project Manager at Capitol Airspace Group where he focuses on FAA and DoW reviews for large-scale utility and infrastructure projects. A former U.S. Air Force pilot, David is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Oklahoma State University..
As transmission development accelerates across the United States, project teams are increasingly focused on routing, engineering, permitting, and stakeholder engagement. Yet one category of project risk that can affect project schedules, permitting timelines, and design flexibility is often overlooked until later in development: airspace and communications impacts.
Many developers assume transmission lines only become an aviation concern when structures approach 200 feet in height. Depending on location and structure characteristics, transmission facilities may require notice to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under 14 CFR Part 77, even when structures sit below the 200-foot threshold. These structures may still affect air traffic operations or trigger marking and lighting requirements. Separate from aviation, projects may also interfere with communication systems such as point-to-point microwave paths.
These issues rarely appear at the top of a project’s risk register, but they can quickly become schedule and permitting challenges if not evaluated early.
Based on routing, structure design, and the surrounding environment, aviation and communications considerations can influence project schedules, costs, and development flexibility. The good news is that most of these considerations can be identified early, often before final structure locations are established.
Not Every Aviation Issue Is About Height
While structure height is certainly important, it is only one factor considered by aviation regulators. Depending on the project, transmission towers, catenary wires, and even temporary construction cranes may trigger FAA notification requirements. Changes in structure location, elevation, or height during development can also create the need for additional filings.
Addressing these issues early allows developers to understand potential constraints while route alternatives and engineering options remain available.
Military Airspace Is Frequently Overlooked
Even transmission structures below 200 feet can affect military operations. Military training routes and special-use airspace exist throughout many regions of the country, creating another layer of review that can influence structure placement.
Early review of military airspace can provide valuable insight into potential Department of War concerns and help teams understand whether additional coordination may be beneficial during project development.
Communications Systems Matter
Transmission infrastructure may also interact with a wide range of communications systems, including microwave beam paths, radio and television transmissions, cellular networks, and aviation navigation aids.
Although these interactions are highly project-specific, potential interference can affect the reliability of critical communication services and may require additional analysis or coordination. Evaluating these systems during early-stage planning can help identify concerns before they become costly redesign challenges.
Preserving Flexibility Through Early Analysis
The most successful transmission projects are often those that identify constraints before they become problems.
Understanding aviation, military airspace, and communications considerations during the planning stage gives developers greater flexibility to evaluate route alternatives, refine structure designs, and minimize future delays. It also helps project teams make informed decisions regarding FAA filing requirements, marking and lighting considerations, communications impacts, and stakeholder coordination.
Transmission infrastructure plays a vital role in strengthening and modernizing the nation’s electric grid. By incorporating airspace and communications analyses into early project planning, developers can reduce uncertainty and improve the likelihood of a smooth path forward.
For assistance with the FAA’s obstruction evaluation process or transmission line analysis, please contact us.
