Aviation Funding Information - Office of Aviation - Iowa Department Transportation

Federal Funding | State Funding

Federal Funding

Federal Airport Improvement Program

Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding is available to airports that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airports System (NPIAS). Administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the AIP provides funds for projects to improve infrastructure including runways, taxiways, noise control, land purchases, navigational aids, safety and security. There are 77 airports in Iowa that are eligible for federal funding.

- Airports in Iowa Eligible for Federal AIP funding (map)

- Federal AIP Funding for Iowa's NPIAS Airports (brochure)

The current Congressional AIP authorization, Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization, expires September 30, 2007. The AIP program is funded by the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which receives 100 percent of its funding from aviation generated user fees, including passenger and cargo fees, fuel taxes, and facility fees. Congress must appropriate money for the AIP annually.

- Airport and Airway Revenue Sources

AIP money is distributed by the FAA through formulas set by law and discretionary grants determined by the FAA. Primary commercial service airports, which are airports with at least 10,000 passenger boardings, receive AIP primary apportionments based on a prescribed formula using the number of passenger boardings in a calendar year. Minimum apportionment is $1,000,000 per year.

Small commercial service and general aviation airports can apply for grants from a pool of state apportionment money equal to 20 percent of total AIP funds. The amount of money available for Iowa is determined by a formula looking at population and geographic area. General aviation airports with a 5 year Capital Improvement Plan in the most current published National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS) may receive a nonprimary entitlement up to $150,000 per year.

The Airports Division of the FAA administers the AIP program. The following links provide specific information:

            - Advisory Circulars
            - Airport Improvement Program Guidance
            - FAA Central Region Airport Division
            - Forms
            - Grant Assurances
            - Grant History
            - National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS)

Federal Funding Pre-applications

Iowa is a channeling state, which means that general aviation airports and small commercial service airports not receiving primary entitlement are required to submit pre-applications for the Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to the Iowa DOT's Office of Aviation. Pre-applications are submitted late in the year, and forwarded to the FAA in February after the Iowa Transportation Commission has approved prioritization of the pre-applications. Applications are then prioritized by the FAA and a program for the next federal fiscal year is developed.

General aviation and small commercial service airports in the NPIAS are eligible to apply for nonprimary airport entitlement funding, apportionment money designated for the state, and discretionary funding. Through 2007, the funding ratio is 95% federal and 5% local. Eligible airports must be part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).   The following requirements must also be met before an airport is able to receive AIP funds:

- The proposed work must be shown on a current Airport Layout Plan (ALP) that has been approved by the
      FAA.
- The project must be reasonable, necessary and eligible for federal participation.
- The project must meet environmental requirements.
- The airport sponsor must submit a Capital Improvement Plan data sheet describing the project, including a
     cost estimate.
- The airport sponsor must have the necessary matching share. The airport sponsor must be willing to sign and
     follow required grant assurances

FFY 2011 Federal Airport Improvement Program Pre-application Information

FFY 2010 Federal AIP Pre-applications submitted to FAA

Administrative Rule

State Funding

Iowa DOT State Funded Airport Grant Programs

FY2009 State Aviation Program approved by the Iowa Transportation Commission.

FY 2010 State Aviation program

Grants for state funded airside and vertical infrastructure projects are available on an annual basis for public-owned airports. The State Aviation Fund is used to support airside grants and on-going aviation related services, special projects, and statewide planning. Annual appropriations from the state legislature provide grant funding for vertical infrastructure improvements at general aviation and commercial air service airports.

Applications are solicited each spring with projects approved by the Iowa Transportation Commission in July. Airport sponsors may apply for airside and vertical infrastructure projects in a consolidated grant application package. State matching grants are provided up to 85% of the total project costs; however, local participation is considered when prioritizing grant applications. Projects must have at least a $5,000 state share to be considered, must be shown on an airport layout plan, and the airport must have a security plan in place for a security related projects.

Three grant programs exist for annual state funding opportunities. A description of each program including examples of eligible projects and matching requirements are listed below. Additional statewide services and programs are also outlined.

Airport Improvement Planning, Development and Security Projects:

Eligible projects are funded up to 85% and generally include planning and improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security and environmental concerns. Eligible projects include:

· runway, apron and taxiway construction and rehabilitation

· pavement maintenance

· airfield drainage

· obstruction removal

· airfield signage and lighting

· navigation and communication aides

· land acquisition

· planning studies such as airport layout plans (ALPs), master plans, land use and zoning studies, and multi-jurisdictional feasibility studies

· security related projects such as lighting and access control

· and airport signage

General Aviation Vertical Infrastructure (GAVI) Program
General Aviation Vertical Infrastructure (GAVI) projects are funded up to 85% and include landside development and renovation of airport terminals, hangars, maintenance buildings, and fuel facilities. GAVI grants are available only to general aviation airports. Routine maintenance of buildings and minor renovation projects are not eligible.

Commercial Service Vertical Infrastructure (CSVI) Program
The Commercial Service Vertical Infrastructure (CSVI) program provides funding for landside development and renovation of terminals, hangars, maintenance buildings, and fuel facilities at commercial service airports.

Appropriated funds are distributed to the commercial service airports by a 50/40/10 formula. One half of the funds are allocated equally between each airport, 40 percent of the funds are allocated based on the percentage of enplaned passengers at each airport versus the total number of enplaned passengers in the state, and 10 percent of the funds are allocated based on the percentage of the air cargo tonnage at each airport versus the total tonnage in the state. Commercial service airports are required to submit work plans for approval by the Transportation Commission. No local match is required.

State funding applications are due in early May.

Other Aviation Services

Aviation Weather Observing System (AWOS) provides a network of aviation weather reporting stations at 41 airports throughout the state. The Iowa DOT maintains the statewide system and provides transfer of data to the national weather system.

Emergency Operational Repairs

This program includes emergency repair to communication and navigational equipment, airside infrastructure, lighting and other safety related components. State share is 70 percent of the project, with a maximum state share of $5,000. Applications for funding are accepted throughout the year.

Pavement Management Program:

The Office of Aviation, with the assistance of the FAA, oversees periodic pavement inspections at airports eligible for federal funds to provide airport sponsors with tools to maximize the life of the airfield pavements. The inspections and management reports are also used by the Office of Aviation and the FAA to prioritize projects. Airport sponsors are encouraged to use the pavement management reports to conduct routine inspections and maintenance to provide longer term usability of pavements.

Runway Marking Program:

The Runway Marking Program provides safety critical pavement markings at public-owned airports that provide key operational information to pilots on the ground and from the air. Airports are marked on a rotating basis as needed.

Aviation Outreach and Educational Programs

The Iowa DOT’s Office of Aviation sponsors multiple aviation outreach and educational programs that promote a strong, safe, and competitive air transportation system in Iowa. Programs also educate the general public and decision makers on the uses and benefits of aviation in Iowa.

Air Service Development Program

The Air Service Development Program provides assistance to commercial service airports in Iowa to maintain and enhance passenger air service in the state. Targeted funding is used to attract and retain air service based on the particular needs and circumstances of the airport’s passenger air service market.

Wildlife Mitigation Program

The Iowa DOT Office of Aviation is working with USDA Wildlife Services and the Iowa DNR to address wildlife issues at airports, conduct wildlife consultations, provide education to airports on mitigation techniques, and seek appropriate funding for wildlife mitigation programs.

Windsock Program

Windsocks are very basic safety tools that provide valuable information to pilots regarding wind direction and speed prior to takeoff and landing. Windsocks are provided to airports and heliports.

State Funding Links: