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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2009. Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft, Volume 2: Guidebook. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14300.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2009. Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft, Volume 2: Guidebook. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14300.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2009. Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft, Volume 2: Guidebook. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14300.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2009. Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft, Volume 2: Guidebook. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14300.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2009. Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft, Volume 2: Guidebook. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14300.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2009. Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft, Volume 2: Guidebook. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/14300.
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TRANSPORTAT ION RESEARCH BOARD WASHINGTON, D.C. 2009 www.TRB.org A I R P O R T C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M ACRP REPORT 17 Research sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration Subject Areas Aviation Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft Volume 2: Guidebook William Spitz Richard Golaszewski GRA, INC. Jenkintown, PA A N D Susan J. H. Zellers Stacy Pollert AEROFINITY, INC. Indianapolis, IN

AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in trans- portation of people and goods and in regional, national, and inter- national commerce. They are where the nation’s aviation system connects with other modes of transportation and where federal respon- sibility for managing and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. The Airport Coopera- tive Research Program (ACRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the airport industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for ACRP was identified in TRB Special Report 272: Airport Research Needs: Cooperative Solutions in 2003, based on a study spon- sored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The ACRP carries out applied research on problems that are shared by airport operating agencies and are not being adequately addressed by existing federal research programs. It is modeled after the successful National Coopera- tive Highway Research Program and Transit Cooperative Research Pro- gram. The ACRP undertakes research and other technical activities in a variety of airport subject areas, including design, construction, mainte- nance, operations, safety, security, policy, planning, human resources, and administration. The ACRP provides a forum where airport opera- tors can cooperatively address common operational problems. The ACRP was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The primary partici- pants in the ACRP are (1) an independent governing board, the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation with representation from airport oper- ating agencies, other stakeholders, and relevant industry organizations such as the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), and the Air Transport Association (ATA) as vital links to the airport community; (2) the TRB as program manager and secretariat for the governing board; and (3) the FAA as program sponsor. In October 2005, the FAA executed a contract with the National Academies formally initiating the program. The ACRP benefits from the cooperation and participation of airport professionals, air carriers, shippers, state and local government officials, equipment and service suppliers, other airport users, and research orga- nizations. Each of these participants has different interests and respon- sibilities, and each is an integral part of this cooperative research effort. Research problem statements for the ACRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to the TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the AOC to formulate the research program by iden- tifying the highest priority projects and defining funding levels and expected products. Once selected, each ACRP project is assigned to an expert panel, appointed by the TRB. Panels include experienced practitioners and research specialists; heavy emphasis is placed on including airport pro- fessionals, the intended users of the research products. The panels pre- pare project statements (requests for proposals), select contractors, and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing cooper- ative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, ACRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation. Primary emphasis is placed on disseminating ACRP results to the intended end-users of the research: airport operating agencies, service providers, and suppliers. The ACRP produces a series of research reports for use by airport operators, local agencies, the FAA, and other interested parties, and industry associations may arrange for work- shops, training aids, field visits, and other activities to ensure that results are implemented by airport-industry practitioners. ACRP REPORT 17, VOLUME 2 Project 10-04 ISSN 1935-9802 ISBN: 978-0-309-11795-1 Library of Congress Control Number 2009933918 © 2009 Transportation Research Board COPYRIGHT PERMISSION Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein. Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB or FAA endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. NOTICE The project that is the subject of this report was a part of the Airport Cooperative Research Program conducted by the Transportation Research Board with the approval of the Governing Board of the National Research Council. Such approval reflects the Governing Board’s judgment that the project concerned is appropriate with respect to both the purposes and resources of the National Research Council. The members of the technical advisory panel selected to monitor this project and to review this report were chosen for recognized scholarly competence and with due consideration for the balance of disciplines appropriate to the project. The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied are those of the research agency that performed the research, and while they have been accepted as appropriate by the technical panel, they are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board, the National Research Council, or the Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Each report is reviewed and accepted for publication by the technical panel according to procedures established and monitored by the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee and the Governing Board of the National Research Council. The Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, the National Research Council, and the Federal Aviation Administration (sponsor of the Airport Cooperative Research Program) do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the clarity and completeness of the project reporting. Cover Photo courtesy of the City of Naples Airport Authority. Published reports of the AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM are available from: Transportation Research Board Business Office 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 and can be ordered through the Internet at http://www.national-academies.org/trb/bookstore Printed in the United States of America

CRP STAFF FOR ACRP REPORT 17, VOLUME 2 Christopher W. Jenks, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Crawford F. Jencks, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs Michael R. Salamone, ACRP Manager Theresia H. Schatz, Senior Program Officer Eileen P. Delaney, Director of Publications Hilary Freer, Senior Editor ACRP PROJECT 10-04 PANEL Field of Operations Theodore D. Soliday, City of Naples Airport Authority, Naples, FL (Chair) H. Norman Abramson, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX Tara Harl, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN Paul Meyers, Aviation Management Consulting Group, Inc., Centennial, CO Gary Shafer, Southern Illinois Airport, Carbondale, IL Christy Yaffa, Wyoming DOT, Cheyenne, WY Paul Devoti, FAA Liaison Kenneth Feith, US Environmental Protection Agency Liaison Alex Gertsen, American Association of Airport Executives Liaison (formerly) Jens C. Hennig, General Aviation Manufacturers Association Liaison Christine Gerencher, TRB Liaison ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research reported herein was performed under ACRP Project 10-04 by GRA, Inc., Jenkintown, PA. GRA, Inc. was the contractor for this study. Aerofinity, Inc., Indianapolis, IN was a sub-contractor and participated in developing and writing this guidebook. Richard Golaszewski, Executive Vice President at GRA, was the Project Manager. Dr. William H. Spitz, Ph.D., of GRA was the Principal Investigator. The other authors of this report are Susan J. H. Zellers, P.E., and Stacy Pollert of Aerofinity. C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M S

ACRP Report 17: Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft is published as a 2-volume set. Volume 1 provides a Forecast of anticipated fleet activity associated with the newest generation of General Aviation (GA) aircraft over a 5- and 10-year outlook. Vol- ume 2 offers a Guidebook in a user-friendly format that helps airport operators assess the practical requirements and innovative approaches that may be needed to accommodate these new aircraft. This Volume 2 Guidebook will be of interest to airport operators currently serving GA air- craft, as well as those considering the potential effect of incorporating commercial service that may be provided by Very Light Jets (VLJs) and other advanced small GA aircraft at their air- ports. This Guidebook can be used to assess both the practical requirements and the innova- tive options for accommodating these new types of GA aircraft and provides detailed informa- tion for assessing whether airports of various types can currently accommodate advanced new generation aircraft. Airport planners can use this guidebook as a basis for upgrading existing and creating new airport facilities, along with the required services needed. Service providers and industry stakeholders focused on GA activity can use this Guidebook in seeking new busi- ness opportunities in the foreseeable future. Some forecasts predict that an increasing number of new, smaller GA aircraft will take to the skies in the near future. These forecasts suggest that some airports will see an increase in traffic and greater demand for GA infrastructure, facilities, and services. However, according to some aviation industry experts, many of these forecasts appear overly opti- mistic. Airport operators are concerned that the forecasts do not adequately address airport considerations. The fundamental questions for airports are, how much will traffic increase from these aircraft; which airports will experience the traffic increase; and what infrastruc- ture, facilities, and services will be needed. If there is a large increase in aircraft activity as a result of these new aircraft, already busy GA airports will be further congested, and the smallest GA airports may not be prepared to handle this potential increase in activity. Consequently, airports need to know what level of aircraft activity they can expect and what infrastructure, facilities, and services are needed to accommodate the newest generation of GA aircraft adequately. They need information on the likelihood of GA aircraft activity increases at airports by category of airport and geo- graphical location. Moreover, no single resource document summarizes what can and should be done to prepare airport infrastructure, facilities, and services to accommodate the increased activity while maintaining productivity. Under ACRP Project 10-04, a research team led by GRA, Inc., conducted the research with the objectives to (1) forecast GA aircraft activity by category of airport and geograph- F O R E W O R D By Theresia H. Schatz Staff Officer Transportation Research Board

ical location due to the introduction of the newest generation of GA aircraft and (2) develop a user-friendly guidebook that will help airport operators to (a) estimate the level of activ- ity from these aircraft at their particular airport; (b) assess the effect of these aircraft on their particular airport’s infrastructure, facilities, and services; (c) accommodate existing and anticipated demand for facilities and services from these aircraft; and (d) attract new busi- ness from the newest generation of GA aircraft. For the purposes of this project, the newest generation of GA aircraft refers to small-sized (12,500 lbs or less) aircraft with high-technology “all glass” digital cockpits, including light jets, VLJs, and new advanced-technology piston and turbo-prop aircraft. The need for this research began in 2006–07, when the “hype” surrounding VLJs reached a crescendo. With a significant downshift in the global economy in 2008–2009, the reduced demand has affected the aviation industry as a whole, particularly the GA market. Nonethe- less, this Forecast and the Guidebook will help airport operators and planners prepare for the next wave of change. An increase in demand for this newest generation of GA aircraft and its effect on airports; the associated facilities; and information related to best plan for future growth, expansion, and potential new opportunities are likely to be needed.

1 Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 2 1.2 General Aviation Overview 6 1.3 Purpose 6 1.4 Use of Guidebook 8 Chapter 2 The New Generation of GA Aircraft 8 2.1 VLJ Aircraft Programs 8 2.2 How New Generation Aircraft Compare 9 2.3 Runway Length 10 2.4 Aircraft Noise 11 2.5 Other Attributes 15 2.6 Summary 16 Chapter 3 Projecting Potential Future Activity from New Generation Aircraft 16 3.1 Introduction 17 3.2 Evaluating Potential Demand 17 3.3 ACRP Forecasts for New Generation Aircraft 18 3.3.1 Forecast Results 10 Years Out 20 3.3.2 Further Recommendations for Use of the Forecasts 20 3.4 Summary 20 3.5 Helpful References and Resources 22 Chapter 4 Airport Evaluation Tool 22 4.1 Introduction 22 4.2 Quick Comparison with Existing GA Fleet 23 4.3 Airport Evaluation Tool and Readiness Level 25 4.4 Air Taxi Evaluation Tool and Readiness Level 27 4.5 Summary 28 Chapter 5 Airport Toolbox 28 5.1 Airport Toolbox Organization 28 5.2 Airfield Infrastructure 28 5.2.1 Airport Reference Codes and Minimum Facility Requirements 30 5.2.2 Runway Length 33 5.2.3 Runway Width 34 5.2.4 Wind Coverage 34 5.2.5 Pavement Surface and Strength 34 5.2.6 Runway Clear Areas 35 5.2.7 Runway Lighting 36 5.2.8 Approach Lighting Systems (ALS) 36 5.2.9 Runway Markings 37 5.2.10 Taxiways 37 5.2.11 Wildlife Hazard Management C O N T E N T S

38 5.3 Instrument Approach 39 5.3.1 Required Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches 41 5.3.2 Other Instrument Approach Procedure Improvements/Enhancements 42 5.3.3 Next Generation Air Transportation System 42 5.4 Ground Access 43 5.4.1 Automobile Parking 44 5.4.2 Passenger Pick-up and Drop-off 44 5.4.3 Mode of Ground Transportation 44 5.4.4 Routing Information 45 5.4.5 Signage 45 5.5 Ground Handling Services 46 5.5.1 Core Services 48 5.5.2 Aircraft Parking Aprons 48 5.5.3 Hangar Development 50 5.5.4 Commercial Operations 50 5.6 Landside Development 51 5.6.1 Terminal Facility 51 5.6.2 Other Support Facilities 53 5.7 Summary 53 5.8 Helpful References and Resources 57 Chapter 6 Community Outreach 57 6.1 Introduction 57 6.2 The Audience 58 6.3 The Message 59 6.4 The Medium 60 6.4.1 Presentations 60 6.4.2 Media Relations 61 6.4.3 Aviation Events 61 6.5 Timing of Community Outreach 62 6.6 Addressing Specific Issues 63 6.7 Summary 63 6.8 Helpful References and Resources 65 Chapter 7 Funding Alternatives 65 7.1 Introduction 65 7.2 Federal Grants 66 7.3 State Grants 66 7.4 Airport Revenues 67 7.5 Bonds 67 7.5.1 General Obligation Bonds 67 7.5.2 Revenue Bonds 67 7.6 Private Investment 68 7.7 Privatization 68 7.8 Summary 68 7.9 Helpful References and Resources 69 Glossary A-1 Appendix A Projected Air Taxi Operations

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TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 17: Airports and the Newest Generation of General Aviation Aircraft, Volume 2: Guidebook is designed to help airport operators assess the practical requirements and innovative approaches that may be needed to accommodate these new aircraft. ACRP Report 17, Volume 1 explores a forecast of anticipated fleet activity associated with the newest generation of general aviation aircraft for 5- and 10-year outlooks.

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