financing of a GA airport

"Wolfgang K." wrote in
:

i am a GA pilot in austria.
we have been discussing fees, charges etc. where applicable in the
USA. basic question: where does a local / municipal airport that is
almost or even exclusively used by GA make money to keep the airport
running? as you don't have landing fees, is it the fuel purchased by
pilots, the fbo's?

Make money? In aviation??? What a strange concept!

Okay, seriously...

There are a number of different models used in the US. First off, let's
look at sources of income to the airport (excluding landing fees, which
VERY few airports in the US have):

o Fuel, oil sales
o Hangar rental
o Tiedown rental
o Building lease (to FBO's, maintenance facilities, etc.)
o Lease of overrun land (farming)
o Sale of pilot supplies, food, etc. (if direct)

Additionally, if the airport is open to the public, it is eligible for
public tax monies. This is the MAJOR source of support for most
airports, amounting to 90 to 95% or the total capital budget. This
money is basically a recognition of the fact that everyone in the area
benefits by having the airport, not just those who actually have an
airplane. [Similarly, everyone in the community pays school taxes, even
though they may not have children.]

These small GA airports run a substantial range of size and scope.
Comprising about 90 % of the airports in the US (airports with no
commercial airline flights), some are little more than a runway and a
tiedown area, may or may not have a self-serve fuel pump, and someone
comes by every week or so and mows the grass. Others are thriving
economic entities with tens of millions of dollars in their yearly
budget.

As you are no doubt aware, however, many US airports are under attack
for the perceived value of the land. Real Estate developers want the
land to build housing and commecial property. City governments,
strapped for cash, may want that also - since it would bring in
additional sales and property tax revenue.

For a small airport to be successful in a small to midsize town I think
it must become a PART of the community. I've talked to many people who
didn't even know their town HAD an airport. I've seen some very rundown
airports improved and revitalized by new management into something that
the town is not only aware of, but indeed proud of. To do that, the
community must be involved in the airport. Some things that help that:

o Social functions held at the airport. Such things as community
picnics and fairs. [Remember all that overrun land? Turn part of it
into a park. That's compatible use that attracts the non-flying public,
and makes the airport an asset to them.] I've even seen large hangars
where the planes were pulled out on a couple of warm Saturday nights and
community dances held.

o Put in businesses that attract both non-local pilots *and* non-pilot
locals. The most obvious of these are restaurants - where again the
airport view is turned into an asset. [An airport near where I am has
opened a WW-II styled hotel and diner on the airport grounds. The hotel
appears to be quite successful, and attracts more than just pilots.]

Those are just some ideas. To be successful I think the two biggest
factors do not so much hinge on money but rather on:

o A dedicated airport management and/or board
o A supportive city government

jmk




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James M. Knox
TriSoft ph 512-385-0316
1109-A Shady Lane fax 512-366-4331
Austin, Tx 78721
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