As used in this article, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) AIRPORT. Any area of existing land or man-made construction, except a restricted landing area, that is currently used, made available, or designed for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, maintenance, or repair of aircraft, and whether or not facilities are provided for receiving and discharging passengers or cargo, so long as such area meets the minimum requirements as to size, design, surfacing, marking, equipment, and management provided by the department for airports owned or operated by a political subdivision. A military airport under the control of the federal government is an airport for purposes of this article.

For purposes of this article, only a publicly owned, public use airport shall be considered to be an airport; provided, however, that a heliport shall not be considered to be an airport for purposes of this article. For purposes of this article, a facility constructed to serve as a publicly owned, public use airport after May 20, 2009, shall be deemed to be an airport upon its approval by the FAA, its being licensed by the department as an airport, and beginning commercial service operations.

(2) AIRPORT HAZARD. Any structure, equipment, object of natural growth, or use of land that constitutes a hazard to air navigation as set forth in 14 C.F.R. Section 77 and for which no permit or determination of no hazard has been issued by the FAA.

(3) C.F.R. The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America.

(4) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama Department of Transportation and any successor agency.

(5) FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration and any successor agency.

(6) FCC. The Federal Communications Commission and any successor agency.

(7) INTERESTED PARTY. Any person applying for a permit or the owner of the airport hazard which is adversely affected by a determination or order of the department.

(8) OBJECT OF NATURAL GROWTH. Any tree and other plants.

(9) PERMIT. Written approval issued by the department for the construction, erection, alteration, modification, or replacement of any structure or object of natural growth which qualifies as an airport hazard.

(10) PERSON. Any individual, partnership, corporation, company, or other entity, governmental body, administrative agency, personal representative, trustee, or receiver.

(11) POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. The state and any county, municipality, city, town, or subdivision thereof, or any state authority, commission, district, or agency authorized to establish or operate airports in the State of Alabama.

(12) STRUCTURE. Any man-made object constructed, erected, or installed on land or water, including, but not limited to, buildings, towers, smokestacks, utility poles, equipment, and overhead utility transmission and distribution lines. Utility transmission and distribution lines in the vicinity of an airport may be referred to collectively as a group of structures.