3.7.
Maxwell AFB Mission Footprint
Mission activities conducted on and around Maxwell AFB can generate
potential impacts on, or face potential impacts from surrounding
communities. Examples of potential mission impacts on surrounding
communities include noise and vibration from overhead flights and the risk of
an aircraft accident. Conversely, the military mission is susceptible to hazards
and other incompatibilities created by certain types of civilian development or
activities, such as obstructions to airspace or location of noise sensitive uses in
high noise zones. Understanding the overlapping spatial patterns of these
compatibility zones, or “mission footprint” is essential for promoting
compatible and informed land use decisions, and developing the
recommended strategies presented in Chapter 6 of the JLUS Report.
There are several elements that make up the mission footprint that extend
outside the boundaries of Maxwell AFB. These essential elements play a key
role in the installation’s viability for sustaining current and future mission
operations. These elements are listed below and described in more detail on
the following pages.
Accident Potential Zones
Aircraft Noise Contours
Airfield Approach and Departure Flight Tracks
Part 77 Vertical Obstruction Compliance
Imaginary Surfaces
Airspace
Military Training Routes
Military Notification Area
Bird / Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Relevancy Area
The main runway CZ begins at each end of the runway and measures
3,000 feet wide by 3,000 feet long. It is recommended that no development
occur in the CZs unless it is a use that is needed for the safe operation of
aircraft.
The main runway APZ I is an area beginning at the end of each CZ at a width of
3,000 feet and a length of 5,000 feet.
The LZ CZ begins at each end of the runway and measures an inner width of
135 feet on each side of the strip’s centerline, and tapers out to a width of
250 feet on each side. The LZ CZ extends out 500 feet along the extended
runway centerline.
Accident Potential Zones
Accident Potential Zones (APZs) per Air Force regulations are developed to
assist military and community planners in planning land uses that are
compatible with airfield operations, thereby protecting health and safety.
June 2017
There are typically three safety zones that extend from the ends of runways:
Clear Zone (CZ), APZ I, and APZ II. The landing zone (LZ) has two safety zones:
the CZ and APZ‐Landing Zone (APZ‐LZ). The safety zones associated with the
LZ are smaller because of their limited use and the lower probability of
accidents. The LZ does not have correlating APZ IIs. These safety zones are
illustrated on Figure 3‐6.
The main runway APZ II is an area that begins at the end of each APZ I and
measures 3,000 feet wide by 7,000 feet long. As aircraft move further away
from the ends of the runway, the risk of accidents are reduced thus allowing
for some low‐density / intensity developments.
Maxwell AFB Footprint Elements
Within these zones, there are recommended types, densities, and intensities
of land uses. While the likelihood of an aircraft mishap occurring is remote,
the identified APZs provide the best practical solution for public safety.
The APZ‐ LZ for the LZ begins at the far end of the CZ and extends out for
250 feet on each side of the centerline for 2,500 feet along the extended
LZ centerline. This area has a lower potential for accidents and therefore has
less restrictions recommended for development.
Background Report
Page 3‐17