APPENDIX B: NPIAS CANDIDATE AIRPORT ANALYSIS The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) is the Federal Aviation Administration s (FAA) national airport plan. The NPIAS includes nearly 3,500 existing and proposed airports in the United States, which are of significance to the national air transportation system. Seventy-nine (79) of Kansas 142 public-use airports are included in the NPIAS for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-2013. Airports included in the NPIAS are eligible to compete for federal funding from the FAA s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). As noted in Chapter Two, the FAA classifies airports in the NPIAS into categories such as primary commercial service, non-primary commercial service, or general aviation. Figure B-1 depicts the location of Kansas existing public-use airports and their NPIAS classification. Currently, there are eight (8) commercial service airports and 71 general aviation airports in Kansas that are included in the 2009-2013 NPIAS. Figure B-1: FAA Airport Classification Appendix B-1
As noted, inclusion of an airport in the NPIAS makes it eligible to compete for project funding from the AIP. Funds for AIP come from the Aviation Trust Fund which is 100 percent user funded. For airports to be eligible for funding from the FAA, they must be included in the NPIAS. FAA Order 5090.3C, Field Formulation of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, dated December 4, 2000 provides guidelines for qualifying airports for entrance into the NPIAS. NPIAS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Based on the FAA s order, there are airports which could be considered for inclusion in the NPIAS since the previous Kansas Airport System Plan (KASP) was completed over 10 years ago. Airport economics and significant changes in Kansas in regards to aviation, energy, tourism, and agriculture have lead to the need for an evaluation of potential NPIAS eligibility. The FAA s criteria for an airport s inclusion in the NPIAS are based on a variety of factors such as airport demand, geographic location, airport sponsorship, as well as other criteria. The following sections discuss NPIAS entry criteria. Airports formerly in the NPIAS Airports that have been included at one time in the NPIAS but have been eliminated from the program are eligible for inclusion. These airports must meet other NPIAS criteria, however, such as a minimum level of based aircraft. An exception to this criterion includes airports not included in a State Airport System Plan or airports where there is clearly no longer a continuing national interest in the airport. Airport s location in relation to the nearest NPIAS airport An airport that is included in a State Airport System Plan may be included in the NPIAS if it has 10 or more based aircraft and serves a community located at least 20 miles or a 30-minute drive from the nearest existing or proposed NPIAS airport. Reliever Airport An existing or proposed airport may be included in the NPIAS if it relieves airport congestion in a metropolitan area by providing general aviation users with an alternative landing location. The purpose of the reliever airport is to provide substantial capacity or instrument training relief. Currently, there are four (4) airports in the Kansas system that have been given reliever status. Airports receiving U.S. Mail Service Any public airport where a scheduled air carrier transports mail to an airport or where an independent carrier, freight forwarder, FBO, etc. is under contract with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to carry mail may be included in the NPIAS. The airport must be adequate to satisfy the needs of the USPS. Airports with a National Defense Role Any public-use airport where a unit of the Air National Guard or of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States is permanently based or is adjacent to and who operates permanently assigned aircraft directly related to its mission is included in the NPIAS. Appendix B-2
An existing or proposed airport not meeting the criteria above may be included in the NPIAS if it meets all of the following: It is included in the State Airport System Plan It serves a community more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport It is forecast to have 10 or more based aircraft within the short-term planning period (5-years) There is an eligible public sponsor willing to undertake the ownership and development of the airport Airports that do not meet any of the previously discussed entry criteria may be considered for inclusion in the NPIAS on the basis of a special justification. This justification must show that there is a significant national interest in the airport. Such special justifications include: A determination that the benefits of the airport will exceed its development costs Written documentation describing isolation Airports serving the needs of Native American communities Airports needed to support recreation areas Airports needed to develop or protect important national resources BENEFIT/COST ANALYSIS If an airport is included in a State Airport System Plan, but the community it serves is within 20 miles or a 30-minute drive of an existing or proposed NPIAS airport or if it is forecast to have less than 10 based aircraft in the short-term planning period, a benefit analysis may be conducted to determine if the benefits of the airport exceed its cost. A cost analysis measures the benefits accruing to airport users. Benefits are defined by the FAA as the time saved by using an airport and the net costs of such use relative to travel to the next best alternative airport. The rationale is that time saved can be devoted to other endeavors, resulting in a net increase in the production of goods and services in the national economy. In the FAA s 1992 report Estimating the Regional Economic Significance of Airports, the FAA establishes a methodology that estimates the measure of importance of airports on their surrounding communities. In such an analysis, the FAA considers both the transportation benefits and the economic benefits of candidate airports. Section 2.3 Rules of Thumb, the guidelines estimate that when the distance saved by general aviation users is 20 miles, the annual benefit per based aircraft is $12,330. When the 1992 estimated annual benefit per based aircraft is adjusted for inflation over the last 16 years, the annual benefit becomes $18,668 per based aircraft. To determine if an airport s benefit out weighs its costs, it was assumed that the average cost for upgrading a non-standard general aviation airport s runway to Appendix B-3
FAA standards is approximately $1.5 million. This figure is based on actual historical experience in Kansas within the last five years. Within the context of establishing whether or not an airport is eligible for NPIAS inclusion, FAA methodology generally considers based aircraft because the number is more verifiable than passengers. The FAA methodology then relates based aircraft to annual passenger trips by using an average number of itinerant operations per based aircraft. The resulting number of based aircraft required for an airport being considered for NPIAS inclusion is dependant upon the time required to drive to the nearest alternate NPIAS airport and the NPIAS cost of the candidate airport. The lower the development and operating costs for the candidate airport, the fewer the number of based aircraft required to justify the airport s inclusion in the NPIAS. It is important to note that the FAA s entry equation for NPIAS inclusion is most sensitive to three factors. These factors are: Based aircraft Access time and distance to other NPIAS airports Airport costs KANSAS CANDIDATE NPIAS AIRPORTS This section discusses the five candidate airports being considered for NPIAS inclusion, Leavenworth, Greensburg, Montezuma, Pleasanton, and Washington County that currently exist. Further, being located in America s Breadbasket, all of the candidate airports are important to national, state, and local economies. The candidate airports provide vital services for the farmlands and energy industries such as wind and ethanol, located in their immediate communities and across Kansas. These farmlands and energy related industries provide products for the entire country. Leavenworth Leavenworth is currently served by Sherman Army Airfield, located on the Fort Leavenworth Army Base. It is owned and operated by the US Army Department of Defense and allows for civilian use through a series of 5-year lease agreements with the City of Leavenworth. This poses several challenges for civilian users including access difficulty due to base closures, flooding, and general lease provisions. Also, because it is not a publicly owned airport, Sherman Army Airfield is not eligible for NPIAS inclusion. In 2008, Leavenworth County and its constituent cities commissioned an Airport Feasibility Study to analyze the potential need for a new general aviation airport to replace Sherman Army Airfield and serve the Leavenworth County area. This analysis will use the results of the feasibility study to determine if a new airport in Leavenworth County would be eligible for NPIAS inclusion. A forecast was made based on socioeconomic trends and registered aircraft per capita growth rates in Appendix B-4
the 4 county regional service area. The results gave a potential for an initial basing of 64 aircraft and an intermediate-term basing of 71 aircraft at the new Leavenworth County Airport. Determining potential operations at the new Leavenworth County Airport can be estimated based on ratios of operations per based aircraft at existing area towered airports. In the Kansas City area, the ratios were found to fluctuate between 300 and 600 operations per based aircraft, with the higher ratios at airports with high levels of training activity. The study estimated a ratio of 350 general aviation operations per based aircraft initially and 400 operations per based aircraft in the intermediate-term, giving Leavenworth County 22,400 and 24,400 operations, respectively. These numbers will fluctuate according to changes in demand, which then determine facility requirements. Figure B-2 identifies the criteria used to determine whether the airport is eligible for inclusion in the NPIAS. Since a current site selection analysis has yet to be completed for the new Leavenworth County Airport, NPIAS criteria will be based on the location of Sherman Army Airfield. When following FAA guidelines and methodologies, the new Leavenworth County Airport would fulfill both requirements concerning geographic location and airport demand. The closest NPIAS airport is approximately 23 miles and 38 minutes driving time away, and the new airport is projected to have significantly more based aircraft than the minimum requirement of 10. Assuming that each based aircraft s annual economic benefit is $18,668 (using FAA methodology), the benefit could substantially counter construction costs. The potential market analysis identified several market roles for the new airport to take advantage of assets available in the Kansas City Region. These potential niches include pilot training, recreational activity, an industrial airpark, and corporate aviation. Appendix B-5
Figure B-2: NPIAS Candidate Airport Data and Entry Criteria New Leavenworth County Airport Facility Data Initial Primary Runway Length: 5,500 feet Runway Surface: Asphalt Initial Runway Width: 100 feet Approach Type: Precision Forecast Activity Data Initial Intermediate Based Aircraft: 64 71 Operations: 22,400 28,400 NPIAS Entry Criteria Was the airport formerly included in the NPIAS? Is the airport more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? What is the closest NPIAS airport? Kansas City Int l What is the driving distance in miles? 23 miles What is the driving distance in minutes? 38 minutes Is the airport a reliever airport? Does the airport receive U.S. mail? Does the airport have a national defense role? If all of the following questions are answered positively, then the airport is eligible. Is the airport included in the State Airport System Plan? Does the airport serve a community more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? Is the airport forecast to have 10 or more based aircraft? Does the airport have a willing sponsor? Do the airport s benefits outweigh its costs? Does the airport serve the needs of the following: Remote/isolated communities? Native American communities? Support recreational areas? Promote development or protect important national resources Source: KDOT Division of Aviation, National Center for Frontier Counties, Kansas Energy Information Network, Leavenworth County Airport Feasibility Study, and Wilbur Smith Associates. Prepared: January 2009. Sherman Army Airfield had 32 based aircraft in 2007, and demand is expected to get stronger as projections place 64 based aircraft at the new Leavenworth County airport within one year of completion. Both of these numbers meet the desired criteria to offset the construction costs of a new airport. The distance to the nearest existing NPIAS airport, Kansas City International, is 38 minutes driving time. This also meets the FAA requirement, making the new Leavenworth County Airport an economical alternative to driving to the nearest NPIAS airport. In addition, the airport supports several nearby recreational areas, including Weston Bend State Park Appendix B-6
and Platte Falls Conservation area. The airport also supports several existing and proposed energy related projects located in the area. It is recommended that the new Leavenworth County Airport be considered for NPIAS inclusion upon completion. Greensburg Paul Windle Municipal Airfield is located in southern Kansas, approximately 80 miles west of Wichita. The airfield has two turf runways, Runway 02/20 and 17/35. The primary runway, 17/35 is 2,400 feet long and 290 feet wide; while its secondary runway, 02/20, is 2,600 feet long and 130 feet wide. Both runways are turf and have visual approaches to all ends. The inventory effort of the KASP shows that the airport had six based aircraft in 2007 and experienced approximately 3,692 total operations. The KASP has forecasted the airport s based aircraft to remain the same through 2012 with operations increasing slightly to 3,770. Figure B-3 identifies the criteria used to determine whether the airport is eligible for inclusion in the NPIAS. When following FAA s guidelines and methodologies, Paul Windle Municipal does fulfill the requirements concerning geographic location, but does not comply with airport demand criteria. The closest NPIAS airport, Pratt Municipal, is greater than 20 miles and 30 minutes, however, Paul Windle Municipal does not meet the based aircraft requirement. With only six based aircraft, the limited benefit would outweigh the cost of upgrading the runway in approximately 13 years, assuming that each based aircraft s annual economic benefit is $18,668 using FAA methodology. Local general aviation is the primary activity. Appendix B-7
Figure B-3: NPIAS Candidate Airport Data and Entry Criteria Greensburg Facility Data Primary Runway Length: 2,400 feet Runway Surface: Turf Runway Width: 290 feet Approach Type: Visual Activity Data 2007 2012 Based Aircraft: 6 6 Operations: 3,692 3,770 NPIAS Entry Criteria Was the airport formerly included in the NPIAS? Is the airport more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? -What is the closest NPIAS airport? Pratt Municipal -What is the driving distance in miles? 34 miles -What is the driving distance in minutes? 39 minutes Is the airport a reliever airport? Does the airport receive U.S. mail? Does the airport have a national defense role? If all of the following questions are answered positively, then the airport is eligible. Is the airport included in the State Airport System Plan? Does the airport serve a community more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? Is the airport forecast to have 10 or more based aircraft? Does the airport have a willing sponsor? Do the airport s benefits outweigh its costs? Does the airport serve the needs of the following: -Remote/isolated communities? -Native American communities? -Support recreational areas? -Promote development or protect important national resources? Source: KDOT Division. of Aviation, National Center for Frontier Counties, Kansas Energy Information Network, and Wilbur Smith Associates. Prepared: January 2009. The number of based aircraft on the airport meets the desired criteria to offset the cost of upgrading the airport. Further, the distance to the nearest existing NPIAS airport, Pratt Municipal, is 34 miles and 39 minutes away. This meets the FAA requirement, which makes Greensburg an economical alternative to driving to the nearest NPIAS airport. In addition, the airport has a willing sponsor in the City of Greensburg, and it supports nearby recreational areas such as Kiowa County State Park. Further, the National Center for Frontier Communities has designated Kiowa County, in which Greensburg is located, as a frontier county due to its low Appendix B-8
population and population density; 3,278 and 4.5 per square mile, respectively. The Kansas Energy Information Network has identified proposed wind projects in Kiowa County. The airport could help promote the development of this type of project as it would not only be a local energy resource but would have the potential to impact the region and state s dependence on energy. It is recommended that Greensburg s Paul Windle Municipal Airport be considered for NPIAS inclusion. Montezuma The existing Montezuma Municipal Airport is located in southwestern Kansas, approximately 25 miles southwest of Dodge City. In 2007 the airport had one turf runway, Runway 17/35, which is 4,000 feet long and 60 feet wide with visual approaches to both runway ends. The KASP inventory effort shows that the airport had three (3) based aircraft in 2007 and experienced approximately 996 total operations. The number of based aircraft increased to eight (8) after a new runway was built in 2008, and will further increase to 10 aircraft in 2009 after construction of additional hangars. Figure B-4 identifies the criteria used to determine whether the airport is eligible for inclusion in the NPIAS. When following FAA s guidelines and methodologies, Montezuma Municipal fulfills the requirements concerning geographic location, and is forecasted to comply with the airport demand criteria. The closest NPIAS airport is greater than 20 miles and more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport, it will have 10 based aircraft by 2010. With 10 based aircraft, the benefit could offset the cost in as little as 4 years, assuming that each based aircraft s annual economic benefit is $18,668 using FAA methodology. Appendix B-9
Figure B-4: NPIAS Candidate Airport Data and Entry Criteria Montezuma Facility Data Primary Runway Length: 4,000 feet Runway Surface: Asphalt Runway Width: 60 feet Approach Type: Visual Activity Data 2007 2012 Based Aircraft: 3 10 Operations: 996 1,083 NPIAS Entry Criteria Was the airport formerly included in the NPIAS? Is the airport more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? -What is the closest NPIAS airport? Cimarron -What is the driving distance in miles? 22 miles -What is the driving distance in minutes? 35 minutes Is the airport a reliever airport? Does the airport receive U.S. mail? Does the airport have a national defense role? NPIAS Entry Criteria If all of the following questions are answered positively, then the airport is eligible. Is the airport included in the State Airport System Plan? Does the airport serve a community more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? Is the airport forecast to have 10 or more based aircraft? Does the airport have a willing sponsor? Do the airport s benefits outweigh its costs? Does the airport serve the needs of the following: -Remote/isolated communities? -Native American communities? -Support recreational areas? -Promote development or protect important national resources? Source: KDOT Division of Aviation, National Center for Frontier Counties, Wilbur Smith Associates. Prepared: January 2009. Upon completion of the new runway in 2008, Montezuma saw an increase to 8 based aircraft. By 2010, the number of based aircraft on the airport is projected to meet the desired 10 based aircraft needed to offset the cost of upgrading the airport s runway to FAA standards. The distance to the nearest existing NPIAS airport, Cimarron Municipal, is 22 miles and 35 minutes driving time. This does meet the FAA requirement, making Montezuma Municipal Airport an economical alternative to driving to the next NPIAS airport. In addition, the airport has a willing sponsor in the City of Montezuma. Further, the National Center for Frontier Appendix B-10
Communities has designated Gray County, in which Montezuma is located, as a frontier county due to its low population and population density; 5,904 and 6.8 per square mile, respectively. The Kansas Energy Information Network has identified existing and proposed wind projects in Gray County. The airport helps promote the development of energy related projects as they not only impact the local economy but also impact the region and state s dependence on energy. It is recommended that Montezuma Municipal Airport be considered NPIAS inclusion. Pleasanton Gilmore Airport is located in eastern Kansas, approximately 60 miles south of Kansas City. The airport has one asphalt runway, Runway 3/21, which is 2,870 feet long and 35 feet wide with visual approaches to both runway ends. The 2008 KASP inventory effort shows that the airport had one (1) based aircraft in 2007 and experienced approximately 1,976 total operations. The airport s based aircraft is expected to remain the same through 2012 with operations increasing slightly to 2,060 per the KASP activity forecasts that have been prepared. It should be noted that until recently, the airport was active with numerous based aircraft but unfortunately, the airfield become neglected and all but one aircraft left. Further, the airport with the support of KDOT Division of Aviation is working to revitalize the airport with several planned improvements. Figure B-5 identifies the criteria used to determine whether the airport is eligible for inclusion in the NPIAS. When following FAA s guidelines and methodologies, Pleasanton fulfills the requirements concerning geographic location, but does not comply with the airport demand criteria. The closest NPIAS airport is greater than 20 miles and 30 minutes, however it does not have more than 10 based aircraft. With only one (1) based aircraft, the benefit would not outweigh the cost of upgrading the airport assuming that each based aircraft s annual economic benefit is $18,668 using FAA methodology for more than 80 years. Appendix B-11
Figure B-5: NPIAS Candidate Airport Data and Entry Criteria Pleasanton Facility Data Primary Runway Length: 2,870 feet Runway Surface: Asphalt Runway Width: 35 feet Approach Type: Visual Activity Data 2007 2012 Based Aircraft: 1 1 Operations: 1,976 2,060 NPIAS Entry Criteria Was the airport formerly included in the NPIAS? Is the airport more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? -What is the closest NPIAS airport? Fort Scott -What is the driving distance in miles? 28 miles -What is the driving distance in minutes? 39 minutes Is the airport a reliever airport? Does the airport receive U.S. mail? Does the airport have a national defense role? If all of the following questions are answered positively, then the airport is eligible. Is the airport included in the State Airport System Plan? Does the airport serve a community more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? Is the airport forecast to have 10 or more based aircraft? Does the airport have a willing sponsor? Do the airport s benefits outweigh its costs? Does the airport serve the needs of the following: -Remote/isolated communities? -Native American communities? -Support recreational areas? -Promote development or protect important national resources? Source: KDOT Division of Aviation, National Center for Frontier Counties, Wilbur Smith Associates. Prepared: May 2009. The small number of based aircraft on the airport does not meet the desired criteria to offset the cost of upgrading the airport s non-standard general aviation runway to FAA standards; however, the distance to the nearest existing NPIAS airport, Fort Scott Municipal, is 28 miles and 39 minutes driving time. This does meet the FAA requirement, which makes Pleasanton an economical alternative to driving to the nearest NPIAS airport. Further, the airport was included in the NPIAS prior to 1993, has a willing sponsor, and is included in the Kansas Airport System Plan. Appendix B-12
It is recommended that Pleasanton s Gilmore Airport be considered in NPIAS inclusion. Washington County Washington County Memorial Airport is located in northeastern Kansas, approximately 85 miles northwest of Topeka. The airport has one asphalt runway, Runway 17/35, which is 3,400 feet long and 60 feet wide with non-precision approaches to both runway ends. The KASP inventory effort shows that the airport had three (3) based aircraft in 2007 and experienced approximately 1,716 total operations. The KASP activity forecasts project the airport s based aircraft to remain the same through 2012 with operations increasing slightly to 1,789. Figure B-6 identifies the criteria used to determine whether the airport is eligible for inclusion in the NPIAS. When following FAA s guidelines and methodologies, Washington County fulfills the requirements concerning geographic location, but does not comply with the airport demand criteria. The closest NPIAS airport is greater than 20 miles and 30 minutes, however it does not have more than 10 based aircraft. With only three (3) based aircraft, the benefit would not outweigh the cost of upgrading the airport assuming that each based aircraft s annual economic benefit is $18,668 using FAA methodology for nearly 27 years. The small number of based aircraft on the airport does not meet the desired criteria to offset the cost of upgrading the airport s non-standard general aviation runway to FAA standards; however, the distance to the nearest existing NPIAS airport, Clay Center Municipal, is 29 miles and 38 minutes driving time. This does make Washington County Memorial an economical alternative to driving to the nearest NPIAS airport. The airport does have a willing in Washington County, and the National Center for Frontier Communities has designated Washington County as a frontier county due to its low population and population density; 6,483 and 7.2 per square mile, respectively. It is recommended that Washington County Memorial be considered for NPIAS inclusion. Appendix B-13
Figure B-6: NPIAS Candidate Airport Data and Entry Criteria Washington County Facility Data Primary Runway Length: 3,400 feet Runway Surface: Asphalt Runway Width: 60 feet Approach Type: Non-precision Activity Data 2007 2012 Based Aircraft: 3 3 Operations: 1,716 1,789 NPIAS Entry Criteria Was the airport formerly included in the NPIAS? Is the airport more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? -What is the closest NPIAS airport? Clay Center -What is the driving distance in miles? 29 miles -What is the driving distance in minutes? 38 minutes Is the airport a reliever airport? Does the airport receive U.S. mail? Does the airport have a national defense role? If all of the following questions are answered positively, then the airport is eligible. Is the airport included in the State Airport System Plan? Does the airport serve a community more than 30 minutes from the nearest NPIAS airport? Is the airport forecast to have 10 or more based aircraft? Does the airport have a willing sponsor? Do the airport s benefits outweigh its costs? Does the airport serve the needs of the following: -Remote/isolated communities? -Native American communities? -Support recreational areas? -Promote development or protect important national resources? Source: KDOT Division. of Aviation, National Center for Frontier Counties, Kansas Energy Information Network, and Wilbur Smith Associates. Prepared: May 2009. Appendix B-14