CAA: GA News, "Maryland private reliever airports to get public funds"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, March 17, 2000

Maryland private reliever airports to get public funds
GA News


>From the “Exceptions to Every Rule” Department: Private airports are barred
from receiving federal funds for airport improvements, but designated
reliever airports are exempt from the ban. Under that exemption, Maryland is
preparing for a complete overhaul of privately owned Maryland Airport (2W5)
in Indian Head, a designated reliever for Washington National Airport (DCA).

“This is something we have not tried before, investing money in a private
airport. We are confident the owners are dedicated to the airport, and it
shows the trust and confidence of the FAA that they’re going to invest (in
the improvements),” said Bruce Mundie, Director, Divisions of Regional
Aviation Assistance, in the state DOT’s Aviation Administration. “We’re in
essence going to be building a brand new airport. We’re going to abandon the
existing runways, realign and extend them so we can get 4,600 feet of usable
runway.” (The airport’s primary runway is currently 3,000 feet.)

The project will cost an estimated $10 million, spent over three to four
years. The FAA typically pays 90% of Federal AIP (Airport Improvement
Program) projects, with the state and local sponsors splitting the remaining
10%. To cover his 5% of the costs, the airport’s owner is contributing
adjacent land to the airport, to be used for aeronautical purposes. The
project is currently undergoing environmental assessment. Mundie noted that
Washington Executive-Hyde (W32) is also a privately owned designated
reliever for the D.C. area, and may also receive federal and state funds for
improvement projects in the future.

Meanwhile, the state has created a war chest of its own, under its Maryland
Aid to Private Airports (MAPA) program, which funds improvements at these
airports. Project costs are split 50-50 with the owners. Under the program,
Raintree Airpark (58M) in Elkton is getting some $700,000 from the state
toward the paving and lengthening of its (formerly turf) runway, extending
it from 2,650 feet to 3,000 feet, as well as for constructing a new taxiway,
parking apron, hangar, runway lights and other improvements. The only
recognizable thing about the airport when all the improvements are
completed, according to Mundie, will be the runway alignment.

Davis Airport (W50) in Laytonsville, will also get a major overhaul under
the program. The 1,950 foot runway will be completely repaved this year, and
extended to 2,000 feet, the minimum standard for public use fields.
(Grandfathered airports, Davis among them, are exempt from the minimum
standards.) The runway improvements are long overdue, Mundie said.

“We could never talk the owner into doing it. Finally, we got her approval.”

The state Aviation Administration is currently seeking an increase in MAPA’s
annual budget from $325,000 to $700,0000. Concurrently, Maryland is spending
close to $1 million on 29 grants at publicly owned airports around the state
for improvements, with airport sponsors matching the state contribution.

“You’d think things would be quiet,” Mundie said, noting that many airport
improvement projects around the country have been put on hold by
congressional inaction on FAA funding. “We are really busy here.”

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