The document summarizes an annual concrete paving workshop that discussed upcoming airport projects. It provides details on the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), including funding levels and eligibility requirements. It then lists specific 2017 and 2018 airport projects in Nebraska that received AIP grants, such as runway and taxiway rehabilitation projects. The document concludes by acknowledging that hangars and fuel systems are common funding requests, and discusses some future airport challenges.
5. Airport Improvement ProgramAirport Improvement Program
• The federal AIP grants reimburse most airport sponsorsThe federal AIP grants reimburse most airport sponsors
for up to 90% of eligible costs.for up to 90% of eligible costs.
• AuthorizationAuthorization
– The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 wasThe FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 was
signed February 14, 2012 and expired September 30,signed February 14, 2012 and expired September 30,
2015.2015.
– The program is operating under a short termThe program is operating under a short term
extension until March 31, 2018.extension until March 31, 2018.
• AppropriationAppropriation
– FY2017 funding is planned at the same level as lastFY2017 funding is planned at the same level as last
year. The program is funded through January 19,year. The program is funded through January 19,
2018.2018.
6. AIP EligibilityAIP Eligibility
• Airport must be open to the public.Airport must be open to the public.
• Airport must be included in the NPIASAirport must be included in the NPIAS
(National Plan of Integrated Airport(National Plan of Integrated Airport
Systems).Systems).
• General aviation airports must beGeneral aviation airports must be
classified.classified.
• Airport sponsor must agree to FAAAirport sponsor must agree to FAA
Federal Grant Assurances.Federal Grant Assurances.
• Project requested must be eligible andProject requested must be eligible and
justified as determined by the FAA.justified as determined by the FAA.
7. 2017 Federal Grants2017 Federal Grants
Nebraska airports received 29 grantsNebraska airports received 29 grants
– Grant funds of just over $33MGrant funds of just over $33M
– Construction projects include:Construction projects include:
• Crete, Fairbury, Hartington, Holdrege: hangarsCrete, Fairbury, Hartington, Holdrege: hangars
• Grand Island: crack & joint sealGrand Island: crack & joint seal
• Hebron: rehab taxilaneHebron: rehab taxilane
• Kearney: runway rehabKearney: runway rehab
• Norfolk: storm sewer rehabNorfolk: storm sewer rehab
• North Platte: wildlife fenceNorth Platte: wildlife fence
• Omaha: reconstruct cargo apronOmaha: reconstruct cargo apron
• Plattsmouth: hangar and taxiway relocationPlattsmouth: hangar and taxiway relocation
• Wayne: partial parallel taxiwayWayne: partial parallel taxiway
10. State Grant ProgramState Grant Program
• The program includes state grants andThe program includes state grants and
matching grants for federal projects.matching grants for federal projects.
• All licensed public-use airports are eligibleAll licensed public-use airports are eligible
to receive state grants.to receive state grants.
– 80 eligible airports,80 eligible airports,
– 8 of the public-use airports are not eligible for8 of the public-use airports are not eligible for
federal funds and have used this program tofederal funds and have used this program to
construct and maintain their pavement.construct and maintain their pavement.
• Funded from aviation fuel taxes.Funded from aviation fuel taxes.
11. State Grant ProgramState Grant Program
• 2016 State Grant Allocated on Oct. 132016 State Grant Allocated on Oct. 13
– State GrantsState Grants
• Blair – taxilane to a new hangarBlair – taxilane to a new hangar
• Burwell, Hebron, Loup City – tree removalBurwell, Hebron, Loup City – tree removal
– State Matching Grants to a Federal GrantState Matching Grants to a Federal Grant
• Alliance, Aurora, Beatrice, and OshkoshAlliance, Aurora, Beatrice, and Oshkosh
• All runway rehabilitation projectsAll runway rehabilitation projects
• $304,430 in allocations$304,430 in allocations
Good Morning
I have a short review of the state and federal grant programs available to Nebraska airport sponsors and recent and proposed projects.
Pictured is the Division’s King Air
Last week flew the Governor to the State of the State addresses
Today the Governor is scheduled to Broken Bow
The Broken Bow Municipal Airport is located north of Broken Bow and serves Custer County and the surrounding area. There businesses that operate from the airport.
The runway was originally paved with concrete and has been widened and extended a couple times. The original runway section has significant distresses and has been identified as in need of rehabilitation. We had requested federal funding in 2018 but the project did not make the FAA’s list. The airport is currently working with their consultant to start a preliminary design phase to define the scope of the project. We hope for short term funding.
Airplanes need a place to land
Otherwise the airways are like an interstate with no exit ramps
Economic impact of paving the runway
private hangars
businesses
flight instruction
occasional medical flights (doctor coming in)
Community outreach
There are 80 public use airports in the state, which serve many different roles. All public-use airports are required to be licensed by the Division of Aeronautics. (Licenses are issued after the airport passes a licensing inspection done by Division inspections. Last summer we were assisted by DOT district personnel.). 9 airports have commercial air service (Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, McCook, Scottsbluff, Alliance and Chadron) and are identified with red and green. The remaining 71 airports are general aviation airports. There are also a large number of private-use airports in Nebraska
9 commercial service airports include:
Alliance, Chadron, McCook; serviced by Boutique Air.
Kearney, North Platte, Scottsbluff currently do not have service but will have a new carrier in 2018, SkyWest Airline.
Grand Island: Allegiant and American Eagle
Lincoln: Delta and United
Omaha: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American, Delta, Frontier, OneJet, Southwest Airlines, United
The airports with commercial service are required to have a Part 139 Certificate from the FAA and are inspected annual by FAA Certification Inspectors.
A 20 year capital improvement plan is maintained for the airport eligible for federal funds. The plans are sent to the airports each November for editing. I take the requests and the expected federal funds and balance project request for the next three years. The plans for non-NPIAS airports are no longer maintained since it has been so long since funding has been available to meet their needs.
The airports receive federal funds through the Airport Improvement Program. The grants in Nebraska cover 90% of the eligible project costs with two exceptions. Omaha Eppley is a medium hub airport and received 75% grants. Chadron and Grand Island meet the requirements to receive 95% grants, they have scheduled subsidized airline service and are in an economically depressed area as defined by the FHWA.
The FAA can not run their formulas until they had at least 6 months of appropriations (funded through end of March). We are on schedule to bid our state apportionment project and be ready for a March grant but the funding is not yet ready so bidding is on hold.
To received federal funds, the airport sponsor must meet a series of eligibility and justification requirements.
Agree to grant assurances for the life of the project, construction projects have a 20 year obligation.
In 2017 Nebraska airports received just over $33 in AIP funds.
This is a breakdown of the federal funding.
The amount of discretionary funds (green tab) varies significantly from year to year. The entitlements and apportionment are set by formula but Nebraska airports compete for the discretionary funds. High priority rehabilitation projects were groups together to be able to access discretionary funds for general aviation airports. This was successfully done in 2010 and 2014. Discretionary funded were requested/denied in 2018. The FAA has indicated that we should not expect discretionary funds for GA project in the future.
In 2017, there were 23 grant issued to general aviation airports, 5 grant to primary airports, and one to NDA.
There were a couple reasons for the decrease in grants in 2015. The biggest reason, the FAA was able to issue multi-year grants. Multi-year grant include funding from future year entitlements. This allows the airports to initiate their projects before all the funds are available. If they are able to carry costs for future reimbursement, this allows airports to complete their projects earlier. There were 6 airports that took advantage of this option and used their 2015 entitlement to fund earlier grants. The multi-year grants are not an option under the current continuing resolutions.
State grants can reimburse 90% of the eligible costs of a state grant or 2% matching for a federal grant.
The Aeronautics commission was able to give more in allocations in 2017 than in the past several years.
$325 remaining in state grant fund.
The state grant projects are done and are ready to be closed.
The grants tied to a federal project will not be issued until after the federal grant has been issued.
Of the 81 public-use airports in Nebraska, 73 are eligible to receive federal AIP grants. 66 airports have received federal funds through AIP.
The airports highlighted in red are the eight airports are not identified in the NPIAS and therefore not eligible for federal funding. These airport have historically relied on state grant funds. Since sufficient funds to assist these airports with their current needs are not available, the future of these airport is uncertain. The impact of these airports on the aviation system varied greatly as several have large numbers of based aircraft while others have little development.
The FAA released the ASSET 2 report which classified the general aviation airports and required airports to be classified in order to received entitlement funding. Four of Nebraska’s airport are currently unclassified and the FAA has indicated that they plan to unclassify an additional 6.
NPIAS airport without obligations: Chappell, Greeley, Fairmont, Harvard, Hyannis, Scribner, and Wallace.
Bloomfield has the newest pavement of the non-NPIAS airports
Constructed in 2002 with a state grant
Existing pavement section 4” of NDR type 14
Businesses operate from the airport
What is their future?
The current challenge to the state aid program is the lack of available funds. Historically, the aviation fuel tax went to the state grant fund. However, since the later 1990s the funds are now needed for operating expenses for the department.
Fuel Tax
1945: 5 cents/gallon with 2 cent rebate on jet
1965: 5 cent for AV, 3 cent on jet, no net change
This is a list a current unfunded airport needs that was generated in our office.
The list includes needed rehabilitation and the development identified in the Nebraska Aviation System Plan.
Note: list does not fit on one slide, apron in photo not on the list
New hangar construction and hangar rehabilitation
New: larger doors, turning radius
Rehab: new doors, hangar ramps
Fuel: add credit card reader, new system
Airport located south of Nebraska City, east side of hwy 75
First grant of FY16.
Construction completed in 2017
Identify ineligible section, why ineligible
Discuss why short section of turf runway is paved
Nebraska City Airport Authority
Olsson Associates
Constructors, Inc.
Reconstruction of taxilanes and apron
Drainage improvements
Funded with a 2015 grant, completed in 2017, currently in closeout phase
Able to receive a grant adjustment with expiring funds to cover cost of a change order (typically, increased costs due to change orders are airport funded until after the final documents are submitted and the FAA issues a grant amendment)
M.E. Collins Construction
Reconstruct runway 18/36, formed WWII airbase
Includes runway width reduction from 150’ to 100’, correction of line of sight, realign existing taxiway connectors, runway lighting & signage, relocation of FAA owned NAVAIDS
Received a 2017 grant, original planned for spring 2018 construction start, city desired earlier completion date so worked with contractor to start this year. Talked with airport manager last week and they are very pleased with progress
Consultant: Alfred Benesch & Company
Contractor: Paulsen
The 2017 grant were issued later than usual. The congressional releases were delayed and the grants must be released before they can be issued.
We were ready for grants in March but the first grants were not issued until the end of May. Most of the grants were issued in June.
The Plattsmouth Municipal Airport was originally designed as an airport with visual approaches supporting light aircraft. Their role has changed as there is demand to serve larger aircraft. The airport currently has non-precision GPS approaches and there are possibilities of future approaches with precision type minimums.
The problem: The first three T-hangars were constructed in the object free area for C-II aircraft. Finding funding the relocation has been an struggle for many years. Funded in FY2017 with NPE transferred from other Nebraska airport.
Construction/grading started last fall. Paving is scheduled for next spring.
Construct partial parallel taxiway
A complicated EA was needed as full parallel taxiway impacts Soldier Creek. Hope to complete taxiway before EA expires.
Requested 12 projects, received funding for 2.
AIP is currently funded through January 19. not sufficient funds to run FAA formula.
Aurora – original project scope included rehab of all asphalt pavement
Beatrice – original scope included taxiway and apron work as well
runway width will be reduced by 25%
new lights installed
plans have been submitted for review
Funding for construction projects remains one of our biggest challenges. Includes local, state, and federal funding.
The runway pictured in these slides was constructed in 1997 for light aircraft with a state grant. The airport is currently being used by heaver jets and the pavement is feeling the stress. These operations are supporting the economic activity in several counties. Although the airport is eligible for federal funding, the airport sponsor does not know if they will be able to fund their share of an AIP grant.
That concludes a quick overview of airport projects and funding.
Any Questions?