RENO — Each year, leading representatives from aviation consulting firms and airports, along with government officials, meet for the Airport Design & Construction Symposium. This time out, two of the key topics of discussion were future system funding and the concept of airports getting into refueling and other airline ground services. And, as has been the case at this meeting for several years, an overriding theme was that of
sustainability — planning and building facilities that are sustainable over the long term and take into account environmental, efficiency, and
employee considerations.

The annual symposium is co-sponsored by the Airport Consultants Council and the American Association of Airport Executives. It brings together professionals involved in planning, construction management, information technology, and other disciplines related to airport development.

Rusty Chapman, manager of the Southern Region of the Federal Aviation Administration, led the funding discussion, presenting the case for the agency’s proposed restructuring of how the U.S. aviation system is funded. “The Administration wants to keep grants flowing to the airports that need them,” explains Chapman.

FAA is seeking a three-year authorization package, beginning October 1, that cuts Airport Improvement Program funding below recent levels; redefines general aviation airports by activity and subsequent funding entitlement levels; and, seeks to phase out entitlements to large and medium hub airports in return for increases in the passenger facility charge (PFC) cap, now set at $4.50.

FAA wants to increase the PFC cap to $6, while airport groups prefer a new cap of $7.50. Both proposals would index the cap to inflation, long a point of contention for airports. Chapman says the net effect of a PFC increase is an increase in capital development funds to the industry. The agency also wants to remove many of the restrictions related to PFC applications, and to allow airports to begin collecting the fees while a proposal is under consideration.

The agency wants to change how it categorizes general aviation airports, creating a four-tier rating system. Airports such as Teterboro (NJ) with more than 100 based aircraft would be eligible for entitlements of $400,000; airports with less than ten based aircraft would not receive an annual entitlement, though they could be eligible for ad hoc grants for special projects.