I was examining FAA's legacy files, which contain information for various airspace elements, and I noticed that there is a field in the airport layout file called "Controlling Object", for both base and reciprocal ends of the runway.
Some of its properties:
- Controlling object description
- Controlling object marked/lighted
- FAA CFR Part 77 runway category
- Controlling obstacle clearance slope
- Controlling object height above runway
- Controlling object distance from runway end
- Controlling object centerline offset.
It seems that it's an obstacle near the airport, but I can not tell why it is more important than the others. Does it lead to the most adverse situation, as far as aircraft's climb gradient is concerned? Does also the term "Controlling Obstacle" exist?
Could someone point me in the right direction?