Cranes and FAA Form 7460-1: when temporary equipment needs notice
Cranes count. A tower or mobile crane that exceeds the Part 77 notice criteria needs its own Form 7460-1, filed at least 45 days before it goes up.
Updated 2026-10-03 · Not legal advice — always confirm with the agency.
Cranes are structures for FAA purposes
Under 14 CFR Part 77, temporary construction equipment — tower cranes, mobile cranes, drill rigs, pile drivers — is treated like any other structure. If the crane's maximum height exceeds the notice criteria in 14 CFR 77.9, it needs its own Form 7460-1, even when the building it's constructing doesn't.
How to measure crane height
- Use the highest point the crane can reach during the work: the top of the boom or jib at its maximum operating angle, plus any attachments.
- For a mobile crane that moves around the site, file for the highest point and the location closest to the airport (or file a polygon of the work area).
- Add the site's ground elevation to get the height above mean sea level the FAA asks for.
Timing
File at least 45 days before the crane goes up. Crane filings commonly get shorter-term determinations covering the construction period. If the crane height or position changes, file a revised notice.
Quick reference: when a crane needs notice
| Distance from runway (airport with a runway > 3,200 ft) | Notice if taller than (above runway elevation) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 ft | 10 ft |
| 5,000 ft | 50 ft |
| 10,000 ft | 100 ft |
| 20,000 ft | 200 ft |
| Anywhere | 200 ft above ground |
If your site sits lower than the runway, you get extra room; if it sits higher, you get less. The free check above does this calculation for your exact spot.
Common questions
Can the crane and the building share one filing?
No — file the permanent structure and each crane separately.
What if the crane is only up for a week?
Duration doesn't change the requirement. If it exceeds the criteria, it needs notice.
Who files — the general contractor or the crane company?
Whoever is proposing the construction (the “sponsor”) is responsible; on most projects the general contractor or crane provider files.