Airport Improvement Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Airport Improvement Program - Essay Example Sponsors are generally permitted to expend AIP money towards major airfield capital improvement efforts as well as repairs. Projects eligible for AIP funding include; airport safety associated enhancements, improvement of capacity, protection of the environment in the airports and enhancement of security. The funds can also be used on professional services that come with the eligible projects i.e., plans, survey services and designs. It should be noted that the operating expenses associated with the same projects are not eligible for AIP funding. The projects must therefore be sufficiently justified apart from complying with federal requirements of procurement and environmental safety. In major primary airports, AIP grants cover 70% of the total eligible costs or 80% for implementation of noise programs. The range of coverage for general aviation airports, reliever and small primary airports ranges from 90%-95% of the total cost as per the statutory minimum requirements. AIP grants to airports are aimed to fund planning, development and implementation of noise compatibility projects at the public-use airports. In order to be eligible for AIP grants therefore the airports must either be owned by the public, privately owned but with scheduled services & a minimum of two thousand five hundred enplanements yearly. Also private airports designated as relievers by FAA are eligible. Inclusion in the NPIAS is another important eligibility requirement for AIP. AIP funds are generally used towards projects contributing to capital improvement at the airports. The funds can thus be expended on most of the airfield capital improvement projects and in some unique events on terminals, and hangars as well as some nonaviation developments. Professional services related to the projects are also eligible for funding. On the other hand, those projects associated operations in the airports and improvements that are revenue generating are typically not funded by AIP. Other