[Federal Register: September 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 174)]
[Notices]
[Page 52074-52075]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08se08-104]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Airport Improvement Program Grant Assurances; Proposed
Modifications and Opportunity To Comment
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. DOT.
ACTION: Notice of modification of Airport Improvement Program grant
application requirements and of the opportunity to comment.
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to modify the standard grant application
requirements that are required of a sponsor of a nonprimary airport
before receiving a grant under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
The FAA is providing an opportunity for public comment on proposals to
modify the grant application requirements.
Sponsors of nonprimary airports are now required to provide a
variety of information when submitting an AIP grant application. This
modification would require that a sponsor of a nonprimary airport
submit a list of the aircraft (fixed wing and rotary wing) that are
based on the airport.
DATES: Comments are invited. Comments must be submitted on or before
October 8, 2008. Any necessary or appropriate revision to the
application requirements resulting from the comments received will be
adopted as of the date of a subsequent publication in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be delivered or mailed to the FAA, Airports
Financial Assistance Division, APP-500, Room 619, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Wayne Heibeck, Airports Planning
and Programming Division, APP 2, Room 620, FAA, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-8775.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to be considered for AIP grant
funds, a sponsor (the grant applicant) must meet certain requirements
and provide certain information regarding the project for which grant
funds are being sought. The Secretary must receive this information
from a sponsor (applicant) seeking financial assistance for airport
planning, airport development, noise compatibility planning or noise
mitigation under Title 49, U.S.C., as amended. Decisions to award
discretionary grants are made on the basis of a number of factors.
Nonprimary airports that have not provided verifiable data regarding
the number of aircraft that are based at the airport hinder FAA from
determining whether a project at that airport is justified. Therefore,
if a nonprimary airport has not provided the verifiable based aircraft
information, FAA will consider the failure to provide the information
as a factor when considering a request from that airport for
discretionary funding.
Discussion of Modifications
FAA prescribes the information that must be contained in a grant
application. For nonprimary airport grant applications, FAA has
determined that accurate information on based aircraft is an important
element of justification for many proposed AIP projects at nonprimary
airports. In addition, based aircraft data supports the airport's
importance in the biennial Report to Congress--the National Plan of
Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) and in the Airport Master Record
(the Form 5010). A based aircraft is an operational aircraft that is
registered in the FAA Aircraft Registry that is at the airport the
majority of the year. Registered aircraft are defined in Chapter 14
Code of Federal Regulations Part 47. An operational aircraft is an
aircraft that is in a condition for safe operation.
FAA may require a sponsor for a nonprimary airport to include a
list of the based aircraft at the airport, including the ``N-number''
for each aircraft when submitting a grant application or may require
the sponsor to update the list of based aircraft submitted with the
most recent Form 5010 inspection.
The FAA manages the AIP in accordance with statutory direction and
agency policies and criteria. Decisions
[[Page 52075]]
to award discretionary grants are made on the basis of a number of
factors, including project evaluation under the National Priority
System and the current operations and number of aircraft that are based
at an airport. Nonprimary airports that have not provided verifiable
data on the number of based aircraft at the airport deprive FAA of a
tool for reviewing discretionary requests. Therefore, if a nonprimary
airport has not provided a list of based aircraft at the airport,
including ``N-number'', FAA will consider the failure to provide the
information as a factor when considering a request from the airport for
discretionary funding.
Issued in Washington, DC on August 27, 2008.
Wayne Heibeck,
Deputy Director, Office of Airport Planning and Programming.
[FR Doc. E8-20459 Filed 9-5-08; 8:45 am]
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