Evaluation of General Aviation Airport Financial Needs Considering Regional Risks and National Categorization

The Federal Aviation Administration has categorized GA airports into several categories of assets, including National Assets, Regional, Local, or Basic Assets, etc. The funding formula does not necessarily take into account regional threats such as seismic activity in the Pacific northwest, and the risk those regional threats pose to the airports in the area. Regional natural disaster threats add another layer of complexity to the determination of the value or role of a GA airport in the event such a disaster should occur. Research is needed to evaluate these regional risks, and to understand how the risks may affect airports in that region. Specifically, the research would examine the role of GA airports in the event a regional disaster renders other airports in the region inoperable for a time.

The objective is to develop a resource for GA airports to understand their risks from regional disaster threats and role in recovery. The guidance would also inform and educate state departments of transportation and the FAA as they update to the classification report, update their system plans and understand the financial needs of GA airports.