Summary
Exports feature classes from an Airports geodatabase to the FAA 18B shapefile format. Output shapefile attribute names conform to the requirements specified in Advisory Circular 150/5300-18B. Use this tool to create safety critical data for submission to the FAA Airport Surveying - Geographic Information System (GIS) Program.
This program establishes standards for surveying and collecting data around airports. Required data collection includes, but is not limited to, the following domains:
- Runways and stopways
- Navigational aids
- Obstructions
- Taxiways
- Aprons
- Landmarks
Once submitted to the FAA, safety critical data is validated and verified by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS).
Usage
The FAA Airports GIS program requires Esri data to be submitted as shapefiles only.
Submit shapefiles to https://airports-gis.faa.gov.
This tool uses the Feature Class To Shapefile tool to create shapefiles with attribute names that comply with the 18B format. Only feature classes and attributes that are defined in the 18B specification will be exported.
Input Workspace must contain an Airports data model. Shapefiles created from a non-Airports data model are not guaranteed to pass validation by the NGS.
Syntax
ExportAirportsToFAA18BShapefile_aviationmanagement (in_workspace, output_location, {in_features})| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type |
in_workspace | The workspace that contains the Airports data. | Workspace |
output_location | The folder to which shapefiles are written. | Folder |
in_features [in_features,...] (Optional) | A list of feature classes to export to shapefiles. If not set, all feature classes within the Input Workspace are exported to shapefiles. | Feature Layer |
Code Sample
ExportAirportsToFAA18BShapefile example (stand-alone script)
The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the ExportAirportsToFAA18BShapefile tool.
# Name: ExportAirportsToFAA18BShapefile_Example.py
# Description: Exports 3 Airports feature classes to shapefiles.
# Requirements: ArcGIS for Aviation: Charting
import arcpy
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("Aeronautical")
# local variables for workspace and output parameters
inWork = "C:/data/Airports.sde"
outLocation = "C:/data"
# make three feature layers for export
arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management("C:/data/Airports.sde/Airports.DBO.Airspace/Airports.DBO.Obstacle","Obstacle")
arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management("C:/data/Airports.sde/Airports.DBO.Airspace/Airports.DBO.ObstructionArea","ObstructionArea")
arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management("C:/data/Airports.sde/Airports.DBO.Airspace/Airports.DBO.LandmarkSegment","LandmarkSegment")
# create a list of the input features to export
inFeatures = ["Obstacle","ObstructionArea","LandmarkSegment"]
# export to FAA 18B shapefile format
arcpy.ExportAirportsToFAA18BShapefile_aviationmanagement(inWork,outLocation,inFeatures)
arcpy.CheckInExtension("Aeronautical")
Environments
Licensing Information
- ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: No
- ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Requires Airports or Aviation Charting
- ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Requires Airports or Aviation Charting