Definition
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 77, titled 'Safe, Efficient Use, and Preservation of the Navigable Airspace.' It establishes standards for determining whether structures or objects on the ground are obstructions to air navigation, defines imaginary surfaces around airports that protect approach, departure, and traffic patterns, and sets notification requirements for proposed construction or alteration that may affect navigable airspace.
Plain English
Part 77 is the federal rule that defines what counts as an obstruction near airports. It draws invisible protective surfaces in the sky around runways, and anything that pokes up into those surfaces is flagged as a hazard to flight.
Context Anchor
You may see Part 77 mentioned in airport planning, obstacle reviews, and instrument approach discussions when the FAA is evaluating objects near an airport or flight path.
Derivation
In regulations, a “part” means a numbered section of the rules. Here, “77” identifies the specific FAA rule section dealing with objects that may affect airspace.
Why Pilots Care
Part 77 surfaces determine which obstacles are considered when calculating minimum altitudes and protected airspace on approaches.
Intuition Check
“Part 77” does not mean a physical airplane part. Here, “Part” means a numbered FAA regulation.
Example Sentence 1
The proposed cell tower was reviewed under Part 77 to determine whether it would penetrate the airport's protected approach surface.
Example Sentence 2
Controllers referenced Part 77 criteria when issuing a NOTAM for construction near the final approach course.