Antenna structures shall be painted and lighted when:

(a) Their height exceeds any obstruction standard requiring notification to the FAA (see § 17.4(a) and § 17.7).

(b) The Commission may modify the above requirement for painting and/or lighting of antenna structures, when it is shown by the applicant that the absence of such marking would not impair the safety of air navigation, or that a lesser marking requirement would insure the safety thereof.

(c) An antenna installation is of such a nature that its painting and lighting specifications in accordance with the FAA airspace recommendation are confusing, or endanger rather than assist airmen, or are otherwise inadequate. In these cases, the Commission will specify the type of painting and lighting or other marking to be used for the particular structure.

[32 FR 11269, Aug. 3, 1967, as amended at 42 FR 54824, Oct. 11, 1977; 79 FR 56986, Sept. 24, 2014]

Unless otherwise specified by the Commission, each new or altered antenna structure must conform to the FAA's painting and lighting specifications set forth in the FAA's final determination of “no hazard” and the associated FAA study for that particular structure. For purposes of this part, any specifications, standards, and general requirements set forth by the FAA in the structure's determination of “no hazard” and the associated FAA study are mandatory. Additionally, each antenna structure must be painted and lighted in accordance with any painting and lighting requirements prescribed on the antenna structure's registration, or in accordance with any other specifications provided by the Commission.

[79 FR 56986, Sept. 24, 2014]

No change to painting or lighting criteria or relocation of airports shall at any time impose a new restriction upon any then existing or authorized antenna structure or structures, unless the FAA issues a new determination of “no hazard” and associated FAA study for the particular structure.

[79 FR 56986, Sept. 24, 2014]

The owner of any antenna structure which is registered with the Commission and has been assigned lighting specifications referenced in this part:

(a)(1) Shall make an observation of the antenna structure's lights at least once each 24 hours either visually or by observing an automatic properly maintained indicator designed to register any failure of such lights, to insure that all such lights are functioning properly as required; or alternatively,

(2) Shall provide and properly maintain an automatic alarm system designed to detect any failure of such lights and to provide indication of such failure to the owner.

(b) Shall inspect at intervals not to exceed 3 months all automatic or mechanical control devices, indicators, and alarm systems associated with the antenna structure lighting to insure that such apparatus is functioning properly.

(c) Is exempt from paragraph (b) of this section for any antenna structure monitored by a system that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has determined includes self-diagnostic features sufficient to render quarterly inspections unnecessary, upon certification of use of such system to the Bureau.

[61 FR 4363, Feb. 6, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 56986, Sept. 24, 2014]

The owner of any antenna structure which is registered with the Commission and has been assigned lighting specifications referenced in this part:

(a) Shall report immediately to the FAA, by means acceptable to the FAA, any observed or otherwise known extinguishment or improper functioning of any top steady burning light or any flashing obstruction light, regardless of its position on the antenna structure, not corrected within 30 minutes. If the lights cannot be repaired within the FAA's Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) period, the owner shall notify the FAA to extend the outage date and report a return-to-service date. The owner shall repeat this process until the lights are repaired. Such reports shall set forth the condition of the light or lights, the circumstances which caused the failure, the probable date for restoration of service, the FCC Antenna Structure Registration Number, the height of the structure (AGL and AMSL if known) and the name, title, address, and telephone number of the person making the report. Further notification to the FAA by means acceptable to the FAA shall be given immediately upon resumption of normal operation of the light or lights.

(b) An extinguishment or improper functioning of a steady burning side intermediate light or lights, shall be corrected as soon as practicable, but notification to the FAA of such extinguishment or improper functioning is not required.

[32 FR 11273, Aug. 3, 1967, as amended at 39 FR 26157, July 17, 1974; 40 FR 30267, July 18, 1975; 61 FR 4364, Feb. 6, 1996; 79 FR 56986, Sept. 24, 2014]

The owner of each antenna structure which is registered with the Commission and has been assigned lighting specifications referenced in this part must maintain a record of any observed or otherwise known extinguishment or improper functioning of a structure light. This record shall be retained for a period of two years and provided to the FCC or its agents upon request. The record shall include the following information for each such event:

(a) The nature of such extinguishment or improper functioning.

(b) The date and time the extinguishment or improper operation was observed or otherwise noted.

(c) Date and time of FAA notification, if applicable.

(d) The date, time and nature of adjustments, repairs, or replacements made.

[48 FR 38477, Aug. 24, 1983, as amended at 61 FR 4364, Feb. 6, 1996; 79 FR 56987, Sept. 24, 2014]

Antenna structures requiring painting under this part shall be cleaned or repainted as often as necessary to maintain good visibility. Evaluation of the current paint status shall be made by using the FAA's In-Service Aviation Orange Tolerance Chart. This chart is based upon the color requirements contained in the National Bureau of Standards Report NBSIR 75-663, Color Requirements for the Marking of Obstructions.

[79 FR 56987, Sept. 24, 2014]

The lighting equipment, color or filters, and shade of paint referred to in the specifications are further defined in the following government and/or Army-Navy aeronautical specifications, bulletins, and drawings (lamps are referred to by standard numbers):

[33 FR 11540, Aug. 14, 1968, as amended at 40 FR 30267, July 18, 1975]

To insure the necessary lumen output by obstruction lights, the rated voltage of incandescent lamps used shall correspond to be within 3 percent higher than the voltage across the lamp socket during the normal hours of operation.

[42 FR 54826, Oct. 11, 1977]

Replacing or repairing of lights, automatic indicators or automatic control or alarm systems shall be accomplished as soon as practicable.

[79 FR 56986, Sept. 24, 2014]

The owner of an antenna structure for which an Antenna Structure Registration Number has been obtained must notify the Commission within 5 days of completion of construction by filing FCC Form 854-R and/or dismantlement by filing FCC Form 854. The owner must also notify the Commission within 5 days of any change in structure height or change in ownership information by filing FCC Form 854. FCC Forms 854 and 854-R, and all related amendments, modifications, and attachments, shall be filed electronically.

[85 FR 85532, Dec. 29, 2020]