AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2023 - 13

REGIONAL NEWS /
Finding a solution
to the GA hangar
shortage
By Mike Ginter, AOPA vice president of
airports and state advocacy
A S K ANY A I R C R AF T
owner about general
aviation hangars,
and they will instantly
agree there is a shortage.
AOPA completed
a survey of more than
800 Airport Support
Network volunteers at all public-use airports in
Pennsylvania, and is conducting surveys in Texas
and Colorado this year to measure the problem.
Results show that 71 percent of airports have
a shortage of individual GA hangars (T-hangars,
box hangars), and 55 percent of airport managers
surveyed said they have the land to develop
additional hangars but do not have the financial
resources to do so. Even if an airport is federally
funded, hangar projects are generally not
approved because of other priorities. Hangars
provide 45 percent of gross revenue, making
hangars a critical source of financial self-sustainability
for any GA airport. The remaining
useful life of many hangars will compound the
availability of shelter for aircraft in the decades
to come, making the hangar shortage a serious
concern for the long-term health of the 204,000
aircraft in the GA fleet.
Because hangars are so vital to the financial
self-sustainability of GA airports, federal
funding should be dedicated specifically for
hangars up to 5,000 square feet. Airports and
hangar developers need relief from onerous fire
protection and ADA compliance requirements,
which drive up T-hangar or small box hangar
construction costs unnecessarily. AOPA is working
with hangar developers to find cost-effective
and innovative hangar construction processes.
We are working with airport managers and
local elected leaders to maintain accurate hangar
waiting lists, comply with FAA hangar use
policy, and seek hybrid federal, state, and local
funding schemes to enable more hangar construction.
mike.ginter@aopa.org
ON THE FRONT LINES /
Invite the
public to your
airport
By Tom George,
Alaska Regional Manager
AIRPORTS ARE OUR " special places "
yet are often perceived as foreign
landscapes, off limits to the general
public, and may be perceived
as the source of noise or pollution
in the community. Taking the time
to invite our non-aviation friends
and neighbors to see what happens
" inside the fence " is perhaps one of
the best things we can do correct
misperceptions and promote aviation
at the grassroots level.
Hosting an airport open house
can be a powerful tool to help educate
and inform the public and
share with them a glimpse into our
world. It is also a way to reinforce
the value local airports bring to the
community they serve: Access for
businesses, medevac services, flight
training, the jobs they provide, and
much more. Working with airport
managers, FBOs, flight schools,
and other airport stakeholders to
plan an event also promotes good
working relationships among airport
stakeholders.
AOPA's team of seven regional
managers are available to assist
with planning an effective open
house event, and we have materials
on our website (aopa.org/asn)
to help you. Consider organizing an
open house at your airport! Contact
the AOPA Pilot Information Center
at 800-872-2672 for more information.
tom.george@aopa.org
45%
Airport hangar rentals contribute 45
percent to an airport's gross revenue.
NORTHWEST MOUNTA IN REGION
Working with the FAA, Washington State
Aviation Division, City of Vancouver on
potential impacts of a large mixed-use
high rise being planned near the airport;
Consulted with AOPA members at Aspen,
Colorado (ASE), to ensure Atlantic Aviation is
listening to user concerns.
WESTERN PACIFIC REGION
Fought for GA in California as the legislature
considers advanced air mobility and
electrified aviation; Supporting local pilots
at Banning, California, airport (BNG) to
convince the city council of the airport's
economic and community value and prevent
closure; Successfully blocked two bills in
Hawaii that would have established a private
right of action for anyone aggrieved by
helicopter noise.
EASTERN REGION
Advocated for pilot representation on the
Auburn-Lewiston (Maine) Municipal Airport
Commission, Lewiston City Council voting
to delay consideration of commission
changes; Co-leading a coalition of aviation
organizations to prevent onerous New York
state legislation aimed at helicopter and
seaplane operations around New York City.
AL ASKA REGION
Coordinated Fairbanks Aviation Day Open
House at Fairbanks International Airport.
More than 2,000 members of the public
were exposed to aviation through activities
and demonstrations ranging from riveting
sheet metal and air traffic control to a
walking tour of display aircraft.
CENTR AL SOUTHWEST REGION
Supported passage of two Nebraska
aviation funding bills, including creation of
an Aeronautics Capital Improvement Fund.
These bills increase Nebraska Aeronautics
Department airport funding by $3.7 million.
aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA PILOT / August 2023
13
http://www.aopa.org/asn http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/state-advocacy
AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2023

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