FAA ANNOUNCES SECOND PHASE OF GA AIRPORT STUDY
Earlier this month, the FAA announced that it will begin the second phase if its general aviation (GA) study issued in the spring of 2012, General Aviation Airports: A National Asset The objective of the study is to further define the role of GA airports.
In the first phase of the study, the FAA was able to create four new categories to encapsulate all GA airports: national, regional, local, and basic.Upon completion of the study, the FAA found that more than 497 airports did not fit clearly into any of these categories. Therefore, the FAA will resume its work with industry officials, airport sponsors, and state aeronautic divisions to collect more information on these airports.
In addition to creating these four new categories, the first phase discovered the various roles that many GA airports play, including: medical, search and rescue, disaster relief, aerial firefighting, law enforcement, remote community access, commercial and industrial activity, flight instruction, and air cargo. Because of the significant role that GA airports play in our communities, it is important for the FAA and partnering officials find an appropriate category for them.
The FAA anticipates issuing an addendum to the study in December 2013. If you have any questions regarding this study, please contact our office.