Originally published in 1993
As you so often hear nowadays, there is less money to spend and more places to spend it. In allocating the state and federal funds for which the Division of Aviation has responsibility, one of the things that we look at is evidence of sponsor commitment (or lack of) to the airport. This can take many forms, but the most obvious is whether the airport is being properly maintained. With few dollars, we want to make sure that any investment in an airport will be worthwhile. Not only does ongoing, appropriate maintenance keep the airport integrity intact, it also indicates that the airport is considered to be a community asset – and that’s important. But just as important is that, as the recipient of state or federal funds, you may be required to comply with specific obligations contained in your grant agreement.
Any airport sponsor who has received a federal or state grant is under an obligation to preserve and maintain the airport facilities in a safe and serviceable condition. This applies to all facilities shown on the
approved Airport Layout Plan which are dedicated to aviation use and includes facilities conveyed under the Surplus Property Act. A continuing program of preventive maintenance and minor repair activities which will ensure that airport facilities are in safe and serviceable condition at all times for use in the way they were designed to be used is required. The duration of this obligation is throughout the useful life of the facility, but no longer than 20 years from the date of execution of a grant agreement.
Routinely, 5010 inspectors from the Division visit publicly-owned airports in the system and advise sponsors of the airport condition and any remedial actions necessary. It is in your interest to respond as effectively as possible to the inspector’s comments. Your timely response indicates your commitment to the airport.
So, what does this mean to you as an airport sponsor? If your airport is properly maintained, your request for an improvement project will be much more favorably received.