General Aviation Airport Access Act

To amend title 49, United States Code, to increase access to general aviation airports, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the General Aviation Airport Access Act 2. Public airport apron access for transient general aviation aircraft (a) In general Chapter 401 40131. Apron access for transient general aviation aircraft (a) Transient apron A covered airport shall provide transient general aviation aircraft parking on or near the existing apron when the pilot or owner of that aircraft does not need or request fuel or use other related services from the covered airport or a fixed-base operator at the covered airport. (b) Transient fees A covered airport may assess a fee on a transient general aviation aircraft for using the transient apron described in subsection (a) and, if it does assess such a fee, the fee shall be fair, reasonable, transparent, publicly available (including on the website of the entity that imposes such fee), and exclude any extraneous or hidden costs. (c) Access to transient apron A controlled access airport, or a fixed-base operator at a controlled access airport, may not charge a fee for a pilot or passengers to transit between their transient general aviation aircraft parked on the transient apron described in subsection (a) and a place outside the airport’s perimeter fence, whether or not such transit requires passing through a building. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Controlled access airport The term controlled access airport (A) is required to have an airport security program under part 1542 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations; or (B) the airport or a fixed-base operator at the airport does not allow a pilot unescorted access to the pilot's transient general aviation aircraft that is parked on the transient apron described in subsection (a). (2) Covered airport The term covered airport (A) received a grant under section 48103 or chapter 471 at any time during the most recent 20-year period; or (B) been the recipient of a Federal property conveyance. (3) Fixed-base operator The term fixed-base operator (4) Public use airport The term public use airport (5) Transient general aviation aircraft The term transient general aviation aircraft . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 401 section 40130 40131. Apron access for transient general aviation aircraft. .

Summary: General Aviation Airport Access Act This bill requires public use airports that have received certain federal grants or property conveyances to provide transient general aviation aircraft parking on or near the existing apron in specific circumstances. A transient general aviation aircraft is an aircraft that is not owned or operated by an air carrier and is seeking to park temporarily at an airport. Specifically, transient general aviation aircraft parking must be provided on or near the existing apron when a pilot or owner of the aircraft does not need or request fuel or use other related services from the airport or a fixed-base operator at the airport. A fixed-base operator is a business that is operating on an airport or heliport and provides aeronautical services, such as fueling, rentals, and parking. A public use airport may assess a fee on a transient general aviation aircraft for using the transient apron; the fee must be fair, reasonable, transparent, and publicly available. It must also exclude any extraneous or hidden costs. A controlled access airport or a fixed-base operator at the airport may not charge a fee for a pilot or passenger to transit between their transient general aviation aircraft parked on the transient apron and a place outside the airport's perimeter fence, whether or not the individual must pass through a building.