The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 established new requirements for marking, lighting, and registering certain towers. Subsequent amendments and implementing regulations clarified which towers, including amateur radio antenna structures, are subject to these requirements. The original ARRL news story explaining these changes can be found here.

In November 2024, the FAA proposed limiting the new marking and database requirements to meteorological towers and wind turbines. Although the underlying legislation also addresses certain self-standing and guyed towers, the FAA cited National Transportation Safety Board accident data showing very few accidents involving other covered tower types.

Reference: Federal Register, Vol. 89, November 18, 2024, Section III B.1 (p.90627 at p.90634), FAA proposed rulemaking on marking and database requirements for covered towers. See PDF.

Under the FAA's proposed approach, typical amateur radio antenna towers between 50 and 200 feet would not be subject to additional requirements. All other existing FAA and FCC requirements would continue where applicable. These include tower (including masts and antennas) that exceed 200 feet in height above ground AND towers within the glide path of aircraft landing areas. See FCC Part 97.15(a).