PFCs Are at Center of Discussion …
… in the current funding debate. That was one of the key messages during a funding reauthorization discussion featured at the Airport Planning, Design & Construction Symposium, co-sponsored by the Airport Consultants Council and the American Association of Airport Executives this past week in Reno.
The FAA and Bush Administration are proposing dramatic changes to how we fund the air transportation system, and new “user fees” have gotten much of the ink to date. But proposed changes to passenger facility charges are also on the table, alterations that are being more readily received by industry. In fact, airport groups have been clamoring for more PFC freedom practically since the program’s inception. They want higher – or no – caps and more freedom to decide on what to spend the money.
Rusty Chapman, manager of the Southern Region Airports Division for FAA, says the agency proposes raising the PFC cap to $6 from the current $4.50. Krys T. Bart, executive director for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and current vice-chair for AAAE, says that’s not enough. Since the current PFC cap is not indexed for inflation, she notes, airports are already behind the financial curve. She thinks $7.50 is a more reasonable number. Both Chapman and Bart welcome the proposed changes to allow PFC monies to be used more broadly. Bart’s comment on the agency’s proposal to remove restrictions: “I think that’s terrific.”
When it comes to funding, stay tuned. Thanks for reading.
jfi
I agree on the issue about PFCs needing the increase. I do not however agree about how the FAA is proposing they fund the General Aviation airports. They are basing their funding amount on the number of based aircraft. If you have a GA airport that does a lot of corporate traffic and has few based aircraft they can not get an increase in funding to improve their airport. How about basing the funding needed by the amount of pavement on the airport (ie runway length and width). There is extensive planning done to determine the proper size of a runway for an airport based on the needs of that airport and 500 operations of a determined aircraft. The more pavement you need to accomodate those aircraft the more money you need to make repairs to those surface and equipment you need to keep it free of FOD and snow. If an airport is improperly sized that will show also and should reflect in the amount of funds received. When it comes time to rehab the runways, they should be sized properly with the funds available. This is a very straight forward way of determining need and it is an area that is heavily studied prior to the construction of the airport surfaces to justify it.
Patrick Dame
Airport Director
Minot International Airport